Somerset cider
Somerset has a wide range of different landscapes, from Mendip in the North, Exmoor and the Quantocks in the West and the famous Somerset Levels and Moors in the centre. All these areas have in their own way nurtured orchards and the cider making tradition. As William Camden said in 1586 “the country all about is beautified with green meadows, abounds in delightful orchards which with the thickness of the villages does wonderfully charm the eyes of the spectators.”
Apple County
Large orchards in blossom are an extraordinary sight and a vital part of the local economy. Cider apples have wonderful names like Kingston Black, Stoke Red, Slack-ma-Girdle and Pig’s Snout. Vintage farmhouse cider is a strong drink of deep complexity, which should be drunk with care and appreciation like wine.
Perry is the equivalent drink made from pears. Then there are old eating apple varieties to discover like Orlean’s Reinnette, Ashmead’s Kernel and Court de Wick as well as a wide range of single variety apple juices. Somerset is a real apple county!
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