Cast your minds back to early July. The sun rose early, with an intensity to rival the laval depths of the earth’s centre.  Temperatures rose to unbearable heights in cars remiss of air conditioning. Ice creams were consumed in quantities greater than on the Costa del Sol, and relief could be found nowhere until the heavenly hour of 4am. On one such weekend the Cider Women gathered in the orchard at Artistraw for their AGM and to share tales of the fermentations of the past year, hydration ensured by ciders and perries curated by the members present.

Cider Women are a group enthralled by cider and perry, passionate about pomme fruits and everything that goes into the wider community we’re part of. Those cider women who were lucky enough to find themselves in the heartland of rural Britain brought selected offerings of ferments they had been holding on to for a ‘special occasion’, or ferments for feedback from esteemed craftswomen, enthusiasts and pommeliers.

The orchard of Artistraw; a truly dreamy backdrop to our musings over multiple bottles of orchard delights. Enthusiastic camera (phone) work and note taking by yours truly dwindled into blurred images and an illegible scrawl after several hours invested in our social slurpings. Convened beneath the blissful shade of the sail that shelters the tasting tables of Lydia and Tom we began to pour; far too many to comment on all of them (the bottle count numbering close to 20 by the end of the evening at 2am) and far too enjoyable to maintain the focus too!

There was no logic to the order of the drinks we shared, bottles were opened and shared fluidly among the group. All were thoroughly enjoyed, none were left unemptied. Some of us had never crossed paths before, others more often; regardless we bonded over the shared joy of apples, pears, where they grow and their elevation from simple, humble fruits, to mighty delights.

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Nord Appel, Stiglitz

Brought by: Elizabeth Pimblett, Cider Woman, The Cider Museum.

Brought because: because Liz had been wanting to share it for ages, thoroughly charmed by the encounter with team Nord Appel pre-CraftCon! 

Translated by: Tom Tibbits, linguist extraordinaire.

Served: Lightly chilled but recently in short transit.

Experience: Dry, crisp, fruit forward and super refreshing with zingy notes of crisp green apples and white fruit on a toasted, vanilla-brioche; perfect on a hot day!

You can read an interview with Cider Review’s Barry if you missed it first time round.

Artistraw, Kingston Black SV 2023

A medium sweet cider released June 2025. Batch size: 274 bottles.

Brought by: Lydia Crimp, Cider Woman, Artistraw cider and 3CCPA.

Brought because: It’s from a 90 year old Bulmer’s orchard, a heavily biennial tree.

Served: direct from the cider stores, a gentle chill even on such a hot day.

Experience: rounded sweetness with a light tannin, a delicious, red apple tarte tatin, a dollop of vanilla cream and a swipe of apricot jam.

Rull Orchard, The Full Rull,

Brought by: Claire Daniels, Cider Woman, Rull Orchard, Cider Review, Into the Orchard.

Brought because: the first vintage from the new orchard at Rull, a single orchard blend 2023.

Served: after a quick blast in the fridges – around room temperature.

Experience: Some depth and complexity up front, a little sweetness and lightly sparkling, finishing with some astringency and sharpness.

Blue Barrel, Bourbon Cask Cider 2023

Brought by: Emma Jordan, Cider Woman; Blue Barrel Cider, 3CCPA, Save Coton orchard, Trees are Good.

Brought because: A late blend of bitter sweets, aged for 8 months in a bourbon cask (2^nd use); complex and great for sharing.

Served: Out of the camper van, into the fridges – served at approx. room temperature.

Experience: Dry with a whoomph of smoke and bourbon on the nose, a light fizz from the bottle conditioning, and layer upon layer of flavour. Think mouthfuls of apple, vanilla-bourbon-caramel strudel and you’re on your way.

Welsh Mountain Cider, Steep Hill – Bryn Serth 2023

Brought by: Chava Richman, Cider Woman, Welsh Mountain Cider.

Brought because: Apples from an old Bulmer’s orchard, including redstreak and brown snout.

Served: room temperature.

Experience: rich and complex sweet, cooked apple, a light fizz and gentle tannic length, cut through with pepper and dark spices.

Dupont, Cidre Reserve 2022

Brought by: Caroline Wells, Cider Woman, @threewellscider.

Brought because: Soooo many ciders to choose from! Largely selected because Adam scrutinised the bottles lifted from the home selection with beady eye and palate thirsty for potential loss (i.e. envy).

This specific cider chosen for its international credits; though with a descriptor in English, along with high hopes for complexity from 6 months aged with calvados barrel.

Served: Lightly chilled from a cool bag after hours in a hot car.

Experience: Layers of complexity here, a good fizz initially, wooded baked apple blended with rich apricot and light lemon rind acidity; flambed with lashings of calvados.

Little Pomona, Art of Darkness 2016

Brought by: Cath Potter, Cider Women; Foxwhelp officionado, certified pommelier and all round pomme fruit lover.

Brought because: Because it’s Little Pomona, Art of Darkness 2016.

Served: Standing on the hillside looking over Artistraw and the Black mountains as the sun set over the 2025 cider women gathering. Glasses raised in honour of Susanna Forbes and the joy she shared with many over her love of the cider community.

Experience: Gloriously smooth, a hint of whisky flows into light citrus on green apple skins, held up by some strong but mellowed tannins.

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As the golden glow of the summer sun sank behind the mountains, and the skies dipped from flaming amber to dusky blues; we ambled back to camp. Long hours flew by into the night, sharing the challenges and the joys of the year gone by over an appreciation of the ciders we shared and our hopes and dreams for our fermentations and our orchards in the years to come.

Tending orchards and crafting cider can be a secluded pursuit for much of the year, influenced by nature and the seasons alongside the noise of life.  It’s in joining together to share our passion that we appreciate the similarities between each of our journeys, from neighbouring counties to far flung landscapes. Friendships are forged and community is built from humble orchard fruits; learning from each other and supporting the inspirations and aspirations that shape our interpretation of cider life, in whatever form that takes.