509: Mr. Plūme | In the Heart of Latvia's Fine Cider

509: Mr. Plūme | In the Heart of Latvia's Fine Cider

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist July 15, 2026 Duration: 1:03:03

Episode 509 takes us to the heart of Latvia to meet Dace and Māris Plūme, the husband-and-wife team behind Mr. Plūme, an award-winning orchard cidery known for both still and naturally sparkling ciders.

Their journey began with a chance taste of homemade cider that inspired Māris to train in Normandy and Austria before returning home to help shape Latvia's growing fine cider movement. Along the way, they explain why still cider deserves a place alongside sparkling cider, how heirloom apples define their work, the role of wild fermentation, and why patience is one of a cider maker's greatest tools.

Ria also shares the latest News from Out and About Ciderville, including updates on CiderCon 2027, eCiderNews, GLINTCAP, orchards around the world, and this fall's French Cider Tour.

Ciders tasted:
• Semi-Sweet Still Cider
• Pearadise Pet-Nat

Timestamps

Timestamps

- 00:00 – Still Cider Origins
- 00:23 – Welcome to Cider Chat
- 02:31 – Ciderville News Update
- 05:42 – Orchards Around the World
- 08:48 – Fires and Normandy
- 10:54 – Meet Mr. Plūme
- 11:55 – Latvia and Location
- 13:17 – Māris' Cider Journey
- 15:34 – Latvian Traditions
- 17:24 – Heirloom Apple Abundance
- 19:29 – Orchard and Grafting
- 22:20 – Learning the Craft
- 25:52 – Life as a Married Cidermaking Team
- 28:01 – A Microcidery Philosophy
- 29:35 – Tours and Education
- 30:59 – Bottle Sizes and Sales
- 31:52 – Small Bottles and Hops
- 32:44 – Wild Fermentation
- 33:27 – The Story Behind Their Still Cider
- 34:44 – Reading Latvian Labels
- 35:35 – A Latvian Toast
- 35:52 – Tasting the Still Cider
- 36:58 – Why Still Cider Matters
- 39:33 – Awards and Philosophy
- 41:44 – Yeast and Apple Blends
- 43:20 – The Baltic Cider Scene
- 47:35 – Stopping Fermentation Naturally
- 48:56 – Aging and Storage Challenges
- 52:23 – Pouring Pearadise Pet-Nat
- 54:40 – Flavor Notes and No Sulfites
- 59:11 – Where to Find Mr. Plūme
- 1:00:40 – Thanks and Sign Off
- 1:02:42 – Closing Outro: We Like Cider Round


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

Cider Chat
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