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What to drink in Western Europe? Top 8 Western European Ciders

Last update: Wed Apr 16 2025
Top 8 Western European Ciders
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Western European Cider Types

01

Cider

BRITTANY, France
4.4
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Cidre de Bretagne are ciders produced in the Brittany region in France, clear or muddy alcoholic beverages made by the fermentation process, with a foamy head and fine bubbles throughout the body. The ciders vary in color from yellow to brown, according to their geographical positions, so ciders from Ille-et-Vilaine, which are more acidic, have a lighter color, and ciders from Finistére have a darker color because of the bitter apples from the area.


Britanny ciders have a rich, rustic, fruity, flowery and bold flavor, and develop spicier flavors as they mature. When in Brittany, do not be alarmed when you order a cider and get it served in a cup instead of a glass, it is a traditional oddly-shaped tea cup, with or without handles, used to drink the local ciders.

02

Cider

NORMANDY, France
4.3
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Cidre de Normandie is a cider, clear or muddled alcoholic beverage made through the process of fermentation in the French region of Normandy. Ciders from Normandy are light yellow to dark orange, with a foamy head and fine bubbles throughout their liquid body.


The flavors are intense and rich - fruit, flowery and sweet, with a plethora of undertones reminiscent of apple, citrus fruit, peach, apricots, aniseed, lime, rose, cocoa, caramel and honey. The apples used in the process are sweet or bittersweet varieties, with the addition of perry pears to make the Normandy cider characteristically more acidic. 
03

Cider

ASTURIAS, Spain
4.1
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Sidra de Asturias or Sidra d'Asturies is an apple cider made with fresh, locally-grown apples or apple must in Asturia, a mountainous region in Spain. There are three products protected under this designation: Sparkling cider, Natural Traditional cider, and Natural New expression cider, all of which have a minimum alcohol content of 5 %.


Sidra de Asturias is traditionally sold in sidrerias, where the bartender serves the cider in rustic glasses. A traditional way of pouring, known as escanciado, sets it apart from any other cider type - the glass is held at hip height, while the bottle is held as high as possible in order to carbonate the drink as it "breaks" against the glass. 
04

Cider

FINISTÈRE, France
4.1
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Cornouaille is a traditionally made cider produced since the 14th century from cider apples that have been grown in the region of Bretagne in France since the 6th century. During the production process, the apples are crushed or grated and the juice is fermented, and no water, sweeteners or carbonation can be added to the final product.


Since the apples have a high content of natural sugar and tannin, the cider is unique for its reddish-brown orange color and a bittersweet aroma of orange peel and fresh apples with a mild acidity, leaving a nice, dry feeling on the palate.

05

Cider

BASQUE COUNTRY, Spain
3.6
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Basque cider is a naturally produced apple cider from the Basque Country. It is made from pressed apple juice that is then fermented into a cider. Basque cider does not include sugar or any other additions, and more than 100 bitter, acidic or sweet apple varieties are used in its production.


In its native region, this famed cider is known as sagardo or sagarno. To make the cider, the apples are pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then filtered and allowed to ferment, usually for several months. The cider is produced in several styles, though the bone-dry version is prevalent. 
THE BEST Basque Cider Ciders
1 Sagar Krash Manzana
Petritegi Sagardotegia
Sagar Krash Manzana

4.5

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2 Euskal sagardoa
Isastegi Sagardotegia
Euskal sagardoa

4.3

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06

Cider

MADEIRA, Portugal
n/a
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Sidra da Madeira is a cider made from the natural fermentation of fresh apple juice, sometimes mixed with pear, from traditional and other varieties exclusively grown on Madeira Island. It showcases a unique blend of colors, aromas, and flavors, with a notable freshness attributed to its particular acidity.


The natural sugars in the apples and potentially pears are converted to alcohol through fermentation. This process typically occurs using the natural yeasts present on the fruit itself or within the fermentation containers, resulting in a cider with a minimum alcohol content of 5% ABV. 
07
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Pays d'Auge Cambremer is a cider made by the process of fermentation of a traditional variety of apples in the French regions of Lower and Upper Normandy. The Cambremer area is in the middle of the Pays d'Auge. The fermentation of the chopped or grated apples is a slow process, and the final product is an unsweetened, unpasteurized and natural cider with a fruity flavor and an amber color.


It has a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness and has been renowned for its quality since the time of King Henry IV when his doctor mentioned the unique cider in his writings. It still holds a very high reputation in France and is sold in glass bottles of different shapes and sizes that are suitable for the internal pressure resistance caused by the final stage of fermentation. 
08

Cider

LOWER NORMANDY, France
n/a
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This unpasteurized sparkling cider is produced in the northern half of the department of La Manche, and it is predominantly made from the fruit juice of bitter and bittersweet apple varieties. The cider has a fine sparkle and ranges from straw yellow to orange-yellow.


It is characterized by a good balance of freshness and subtle acidity, while it typically displays aromas of dried grass and butter. Cidre Cotentin ciders range from 3,5% to 5,5% ABV, and the varieties marked as extra brut tend to have a more pronounced bitterness and slightly firmer tannic structure.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Western European Cider Producers

01

Cider

PROVINCE OF GIPUZKOA, Spain
4.0
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Petritegi is a renowned Basque cider house located in Astigarraga, Spain, celebrated for its long-standing tradition of producing high-quality beverages. Established in the 16th century, Petritegi specializes in crafting authentic Basque cider (sagardo) using only natural ingredients and traditional methods.


In addition to classic cider, they offer a variety of other drinks, including organic cider and special blends that combine modern flavors with traditional techniques. Petritegi cider is made from carefully selected local apple varieties, known for their exceptional aroma and freshness. 
BEST Petritegi Sagardotegia Ciders
02
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Isastegi Sagardotegia is a traditional Basque cider house located in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Spain. During the Txotx season, which runs from January to April, visitors can enjoy freshly poured cider directly from barrels, accompanied by traditional dishes such as cod omelet, cod with peppers, and succulent steak.


This custom of cider tasting with friends and neighbors is a cherished part of Basque culture, offering an authentic and unique experience at Isastegi.
BEST Isastegi Sagardotegia Ciders
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Western European Ciders

01
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Sagar Krash Manzana is a refreshing beverage made from 95% apples grown in the Basque Country under the Euskal Sagardoa designation of origin, combined with fruit juice. This light drink, with a low alcohol content (4.5% ABV), offers a balanced taste with pleasant bubbles, making it ideal for enjoying as an aperitif, after work, or during the afternoon.


It is best served chilled at a temperature between 5°C and 7°C. The product is gluten-free and suitable for vegan diets. It contains sulfites.
02
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Isastegi Sagardo Naturala is a traditional Basque cider crafted by Isastegi Sagardotegia, located in the Basque Country of Spain. This natural cider is produced using indigenous apple varieties, primarily the sharp Errezil, sourced from local orchards.


The fermentation process employs natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks, resulting in a beverage that embodies the authentic characteristics of Basque cider. Tasting notes reveal aromas of apple skin, orchard floor, pear, and mandarin zest, offering a complex and slightly sour profile with a touch of funk. 

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Western European Ciders