Cider

Try a refreshing change

In the fermented fruit beverage family, Wine has always played the part of the enduringly-popular, rich, sophisticated cousin. Its rustic relative, Cider - despite a proud heritage stretching back to pre-Roman Britain - has never quite won the following it deserves. But, recently, Cider’s fortunes have begun to change. While still a relatively small core market, Cider-style drinks are now the fastest growing liquor category in Australia.

Cider is predominantly made with fermented apples, but there are other varieties which use a range of mixed apple and fruit options as well. Cider shares many similarities with winemaking: fruit is crushed and pressed, fermented with selected yeasts, then filtered and bottled. The results are surprisingly diverse, from traditional, with heavy complex flavour, to pale and light fruity ciders.

With more than 70 different delicious Ciders on the list, Dan Murphy’s is very serious about libations from the orchard. From the UK’s finest Scrumpys and classic French farmhouse apple or poire Ciders, through to Belgian pear and Irish versions that cry out for ice, along with Ciders from the ‘new world’, all styles are covered. The Cider space has also seen the emergence of fruit and spice flavours, particularly from the Swedes. One of our favourite warm weather drinks, Ciders are well worth a try.

When do I drink it?

With its aromatic fruity flavour, Cider makes the perfect aperitif, but its range of styles means it can be equally at home with foods. From season-fresh Cider styles, ideal with light, fresh foods such as oysters, to the funky complex Ciders of Normandy, heavenly with roast pork - Cider can be served at any stage of a meal. At the end of a dinner party, try serving a Normandy Cider or ‘Poire’ in ice-cold tumblers with a high-quality ripe French Brie, then watch the look of delight on your guests’ faces.

Our wide selection of Cider-style drinks come in five categories:

English-style Apple Cider

Made from 100% apple, Cider has many variations, either from a single variety or a range of varieties to give complexity. These Ciders are generally the most easily appreciated styles and appealing to those who enjoy Sparkling wines and fresher beer styles such as Lager or Pilsner:

Westons Premium Organic Cider (500mL) - The UK’s number 1 selling Organic Apple Cider, this is a lightly sparkling Cider with a refreshing, well-balanced taste. An excellent introduction to Cider’s apple appeals.

Pear/Perry - it’s not just about apples

‘Perry’ - a 100% pear equivalent of Cider - has its traditional roots in the Herefordshire-Gloucestershire border regions of the UK, and in parts of northern Europe. ‘Pear Cider’ is made with a mixture of apple and pear. These styles have a distinctive and subtle taste, ranging from dry to super-sweet:

Magners Original Pear Cider (568mL) - Made in Ireland from 100% premium pears this carries a light pear aroma and a medium dry taste. Best served over ice.

Scrumpy - Ye Olde English Cider

The traditional rustic-style of England’s south west, Scrumpy dates back hundreds of years. Made without additives and yeast, it is flat rather than sparkling. With lots of flavour and typically higher in alcohol, they are usually dry of off-dry:

Westons Old Rosie Cloudy Scrumpympy (500mL) - A strong traditional Scrumpy made from English-grown cider apples, fermented and matured in old oak vats, this Cider is flavour rich.

Cidre/Poire - the fruits of artisan France

Made from apple (labelled as Cidre) or pear (labelled as Poire), French Ciders are typically made by artisan farmhouse producers. Unique handling and varieties often give richer flavours. Excellent with food, examples range from dry to semi-sweet:

Domaine Dupont Organic Apple Cider (750mL) - Dark golden in colour, this Cider has a nice balance between bitterness and acidity, with hints of apples, pineapple and dried fruit.

Flavoured Cider – How Swede It is

Swedish Ciders have become hugely popular, offering fruit and spice flavours sourced from pure berry and fruit juices. They have an exotic, intense, slightly sweeter flavour profile that drinks beautifully with ice. Scandinavia is believed to be the original home of Cider.

Kopparberg Elderflower & Lime Cider (330mL) - Light in colour with the distinct aroma of apples and aromatic elderberry; sweet, bright flavour with hints of elderberry and zesty lime.Kopparberg has produced Ciders from the town’s famed lakes and soft waters since 1882.