489: Natural Cider Production Seminar | CiderCon 2025

Natural cider is often misunderstood as funky, volatile, or flawed. Recorded live at CiderCon 2025, this seminar reframes natural cider as a philosophy of low intervention, balance, and intentional care, not a free pass for faults. Moderator Haritz is joined by Richard of Brooklyn Cider House and Jasper Smith of Son of Man (Oregon) to explore how Basque cider traditions influence modern natural cider production in the U.S. The panel dives into fermentation choices, malolactic fermentation, volatile acidity, sensory evaluation, and why great natural cider is defined by quality, not dogma. This conversation also examines how natural cider is judged in Spain, what tasting panels consider true faults, and why these ciders are designed first and foremost to be enjoyed with food. Ciders featured: Zapiain (Basque Country), Son of Man (Oregon), and Solstice (Brooklyn Cider House) Episode 489 Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Basque Cider 00:25 Meet the Host: Ria Windcaller 00:42 The Magic of Sidra Natural 01:41 Exploring Natural Cider Production 02:32 Cider FOMO and CiderCon 03:34 Cider Chat Milestones and YouTube Channel 05:21 Thanking the Cider Chat Patrons 08:44 Featured Presentation: Natural Cider Panel 09:23 Defining Natural Cider 11:32 Production Techniques and Philosophies 27:05 Harvest Strategies and Apple Varieties 36:21 Exploring the Price Range of Ciders 37:01 The Science Behind Well-Integrated Volatile Acidity 38:31 The Role of Malolactic Fermentation in Cider 39:55 Tasting Panels and Quality Control in Basque Cider 42:44 Cider Pairing with Food: A Gastronomic Experience 44:31 The Cultural Significance of Cider in Spain 51:31 The Importance of Apple Varieties in Cider Making 55:43 Challenges and Rewards of Natural Cider Production 01:01:48 Final Thoughts and Future of Cider 01:06:55 Conclusion and Farewell Find the full show notes for this episode at CiderChat.com Episode 489: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/489-natural-cider-production/ Listen to Episode 489 of Cider Chat® wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville. Prefer to watch? Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture. 💛 If you love what you're hearing, please consider supporting Cider Chat. Your support helps keep the podcast on the air and makes it possible to share more conversations like this one.