501: How to Taste Cider

501: How to Taste Cider

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 29, 2026 Duration: 26:35

Welcome to Season 11 of Cider Chat.

After 500 episodes exploring how cider is made, Episode 501 brings it back to the glass—how to taste cider in a way that actually feels natural.

No jargon. No pressure. Just a simple, sensory approach:

  • What do you smell?
  • What do you see?
  • What do you feel?
  • Do you want another sip?

Includes a quick mention of Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition and why judging is very different from everyday drinking.

00:00 Pommeau Snowy Epiphany

01:26 Stop Overexplaining Cider

02:59 Taste With Feelings

04:05 Season 11 Kickoff

04:34 Tours And Community News

05:52 Glintcap And Judging

09:38 Pour A Glass Together

10:13 Aroma First Impressions

11:58 Look And Notice

13:34 First Sip Reaction

14:07 Structure And Mouthfeel

15:59 Memories Around The World

18:49 Finish And Another Sip

20:30 Buy A Second Bottle

22:32 Final Sip And Wrap

24:03 Strange Apples Outro

Find the full show notes for Episode 501 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link at: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/501-how-to-taste-cider/

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There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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