Restaurants

A little glass for Time Out to sample

Five to take home

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference West Country Cider 5.5%
Matured in oak barrels but not noticeably woody. Smooth, rounded and not too strong. Oh hang on – 5.5 per cent – that is quite strong.

Waitrose Cox’s Apple Vintage Cider 6%
One for wine lovers, this is a subtle but bittersweet single variety that comes on like dry perry, but leaves you quenched and pleasantly light-headed.

Waitrose Organic Vintage Cider 5%
‘Looks like man’s wee,’ according to our tasting assistant. Perhaps, but the rich caramel flavour makes this a cider you can chew.

Aspall Organic Suffolk Cyder 7%
They can’t spell, but by heck can they make cider. Sour-faced, fruity fun aplenty here and, to be honest, a great bottle.

Aspall Premier Cru Suffolk Cyder 7%
Pale yet slightly viscous. Is this sherry crossed with champagne? Can this really come from apples? Drink with a slice of Madeira cake in your other hand. Feature continues

Juicy details

Four farmhouse cideries to visit on a day trip from London.

Biddenden Vineyard
Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard produces fine ciders and apple juice as well as wine (see left). The shop and café is open daily.
Biddenden Vineyard, Little Whatmans, Biddenden, Ashford TN27 8DH (01580 291726).

Badgers Hill Farm and Cidery
The cider here is made from the farm’s own Cox’s Orange Pippins. Bring the kids for an educational day out. The farm shop is open between March and December.
Badgers Hill Farm and Cidery, Chilham, nr Canterbury, Kent, CT4 8BW (01227 730573).

The National Collection of Cider and Perry
Open daily, this charming farm shop has over 100 draught ciders available for tasting, including its own Pookhill. You’ll also find meads, beer, English wines and country fruit wines to take home.
The National Collection of Cider and Perry, Middle Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LJ (01323 811324).

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard
The farm shop is set in an old hay barn and offers English wines, country wines and fruit juices, as well as cider and gifts. Take a picnic and a walk on the woodland nature trail.
Sedlescombe Vineyard, Cripp’s Corner, Sedlescombe, nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5SA (01580 830715).