Discovering Dorset case

Dorset - land of rolling hills, fabulous village place names, Thomas Hardy, the Jurassic Coast - and fabulous cider too, as you are about to discover......

While Somerset may be the focus of cider-making in the South West, it's Southern neighbours in Dorset share a similar rainy climate, soil types and topography, just with more of a coastal influence. Here we showcase 6 Dorset ciders for you, 3 of whom are from new producers to us.  You will get a bottle each of:

Twisted Cider Premium – Medium 4.5%, Sherborne

“Twisted” from a blend of 16 apples from their own farm, Ben and his team have transformed the way they supply fruit ciders, but make a great apple cider too. Medium, amber, very fruity, lightly sparkling and very moreish.

Isaac Cider ‘Calculus’ – Medium Dry 4.5%, Beaminster

Made by relatives of the great Isaac Newton, and his apple tree moment of genius, the family have been growing apples on contract to big producers nearby for over 60 years, but a few years back decided to make their own, and boy did they do a good job. Calculus is a blend of Dabinett and Harry Masters Jersey.

Cranborne Chase ‘Shepherdess’ – Medium Sweet 4%, Blandford Forum

Bill started making cider in 2011 on his family farm, using apples from the next door Rushmore Estate. He has since planted more orchards on their own farm and the Estate. ‘Shepherdess’ is a lovely, mellow medium-sweet cider, perfect for sunny summer days.

Purbeck Cider Forgotten Orchards Dabinett – Medium 5%, Purbeck

Made by the lovely team at Purbeck Cider, their Forgotten Orchards range brings back to life some of the smaller orchards near them. Their Dabinett Single Variety is a full bodied well-balanced, bittersweet cider with an unmistakable depth of flavour.

Dorset Nectar ‘Top O’ The Hill’ – Dry 4.8%, Bridport(ish)

The Strong's threw themselves in at the deep end in 2006, relocating their whole family from North America to a remote ex commercial cider orchard north of Bridport. Combining their sculpture business with learning cider making, they have definitely mastered the art of both. Now fully organic, Top O’ the Hill is the perfect cider to sip and watch the sun go down.

West Milton Cider Co ‘Moonlight' - Medium 5%, Bridport

Nick has been making cider since 2000, and is passionate about the lost orchards and varieties of Dorset, jointly publishing a book of their old varieties rediscovered. He makes really good cider too, mainly traditional and still, but Moonlight is a delicious medium, lightly sparkling cider made from Dabinett, Yarlington Mill and Chisel Jerseys