About Cider

Cider is made from fermented apple juice. As with wine, the character and quality of the resulting product will bear heavily on the variety and quality of the fruit used. The cooler climate of Vermont is well suited to high quality apple production, and produces a sizeable amount of quality sparkling hard cider. The finest ciders in North America may well emanate from the province of Quebec in Canada, which has an established artisinal cider industry with historical ties to Normandy cider. These Quebecois ciders are slowly starting to appear on the US market.

Top Picks for Cider

Aval Cider  Blanc French Cider
95 points
Fun and approachable, with a balancing rustic touch and a gentle kiss of tannin; a delightful introduction to cider.
Aval Cider  Gold French Cider
95 points
Very farmhouse-y without being overly funky; lots of complex flavors that lend themselves well to drinking easily without blowing out the palate.
Brick River Cider Co.  Honey Crisp Apple Low Alcohol Cider
93 points
A very fruity and delightful cider, the elderflower adds some classy depth and the acidity keeps everything in balance; very well done.
Highpoint Cider  Tram-Line Mosaic Dry Hopped Cider
93 points
A fantastic use of Mosaic, that shows off the properties of this hop in a pure and focused way that most beers can't; exceedingly well done.
Highpoint Cider  Transplant New England Style Semi-Dry Cider
92 points
True and authentic, this naturally cloudy cider doesn't hide it's rustic heritage and keeps you guessing until the end.
Wyders  Prickly Pineapple Fruit Cider
92 points
Very lively and tropical fruity; have with some pineapple pork kabob skewers!
Wicked Grove  Hard Cider
92 points
$7.99
Best Buy
A fruity and floral slightly sweet Cider with confectionary aromas but zippy acidity; will make a great palate refresher after a pulled pork sandwich.
92 points $7.99 Best Buy
Two K Farms NV Imperial Hard Cider Leelanau Peninsula
92 points
$18
Best Buy
A lovely common cider loaded with tart refreshing apple and ginger on the nose and palate; this belongs in an English public house.
92 points $18 Best Buy
Two K Farms  Heirloom Ice Cider
92 points
$25
A massive cider to sip by the fireplace on a cold winter's night.
Awards: 2022 Best Ice Cider
Brick River Cider Co.  Homestead Peach Specialty Cider
91 points
$9
Best Buy
A delicious, natural-tasting peach flavored Cider with a grown-up vibe.
Awards: 2022 Best Specialty Cider
91 points $9 Best Buy