Baltic Cider News & Events
Baltic Cider makers win 27 medals at the Australian Cider Awards 2025
Craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland made a remarkable debut at the Australian Cider Awards (ACA) – Australia’s largest and most prestigious cider competition – winning 27 medals across multiple categories.
About the Australian Cider Awards
Organised annually by Cider Australia, the Australian Cider Awards are the country’s most influential cider competition and a key gateway to the market. The 2025 edition brought together 231 ciders from around the world, entered in 44 style categories, and evaluated by an expert panel of judges recognised in the international cider community. The competition is known not only for recognising cider quality but also for connecting producers with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and media representatives across Australia.
Baltic Cider achievements
This year marked the first collective participation of Baltic cider producers under the Baltic Cider brand – representing craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland.
Baltic Cider was represented by:
- Latvia – Mr. Plūme, Tālava, Mūrbūdu, Abuls, Sabiles Sidrs, Abavas, Pienjāņi, Herbsts, Turkalnes Muiža, Lauskis
- Estonia – Tori, Kodas, Kloostrimetsa, Jaanihanso
- Finland – Lepola, Pirula, Hallonmäen, Vaski Cider
Together, the Baltic cideries brought home 27 medals:
- 1 Gold
- 10 Silver
- 16 Bronze
Gold Medal:
SPECIALITY STYLES / 35 – CIDER OR PERRY WITH BOTANICALS
- Gin Botanical, Mūrbūdu Cidery (Latvia)
Silver Medals:
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 2 – MEDIUM (9–25 g/L)
- Luotsi Apple Cider, Pirula (Finland)
- Semi Dry Cider, Tori Cidery (Estonia)
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 5 – MT (DISGORGED)
- Dace, Mr. Plūme (Latvia)
TRADITIONAL CIDER / 6 – DRY (< 9 g/L)
- Naturālists, Abuls (Latvia)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 33 – CIDER OR PERRY WITH FRUIT
- Apple–Cassis Sparkling Cider (Semi-Sweet), Sabiles Sidrs (Latvia)
- Aronija, Mūrbūdu Cidery (Latvia)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 35 – CIDER OR PERRY WITH BOTANICALS
- Säde, Kodas (Estonia)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 36 – WOOD AGED CIDER OR PERRY
- Lidumnieks Single Orchard, Mūrbūdu Cidery (Latvia)
INTENSIFIED AND DISTILLED STYLES / 41 – ICE CIDER OR PERRY
- Vega Ice Cider, Lepola (Finland)
- Jää / Ice, Tori Cidery (Estonia)
Bronze Medals:
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 1 – DRY (< 9 g/L)
- Premium Bruts, Abavas (Latvia)
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 2 – MEDIUM (9–25 g/L)
- KUORI, Hallonmäen (Finland)
- Pussauss (Medium-Dry Classic), Mūrbūdu Cidery (Latvia)
- Latvijas Klasiskais Ābolu Sidrs, Abavas Winery (Latvia)
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 3 – MEDIUM SWEET (25–40 g/L)
- Sarastus Siideri, Vaski Cider & Distillery (Finland)
STANDARD STYLES / NEW WORLD CIDER 5 – MT (DISGORGED)
- Doux Méthode Traditionnelle, Jaanihanso (Estonia)
- Kerr, Abuls Cidery (Latvia)
- Sec Méthode Traditionnelle, Jaanihanso (Estonia)
TRADITIONAL CIDER / 7 – MEDIUM (9–25 g/L)
- Jepis Organic Medium Sweet Cider, Jepis (Latvia)
TRADITIONAL CIDER / 8 – MEDIUM SWEET (25–40 g/L)
- Wild, Mr. Plūme (Latvia)
TRADITIONAL CIDER / 9 – SWEET (> 40 g/L)
- Mimikri, Kodas (Estonia)
NEW WORLD PERRY / 24 – SWEET (> 40 g/L)
- Perry, Lepola (Finland)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 32 – NO / LOW ALC CIDER OR PERRY (< 0.5 % ABV)
- Pīlādžu Saulriets, Mūrbūdu Cidery (Latvia)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 33 – CIDER OR PERRY WITH FRUIT
- Ābolu–Rabarberu Pussaldais (Apple-Rhubarb Semisweet), Turkalnes Muiža (Latvia)
SPECIALITY STYLES / 35 – CIDER OR PERRY WITH BOTANICALS
- Apple Cider with Hops, Tālava (Latvia)
INTENSIFIED AND DISTILLED STYLES / 41 – ICE CIDER OR PERRY
- Muusa 11 – Ice Cider, Vaski Cider & Distillery (Finland)
Full results of the Australian Cider Awards (ACA) can be found in the attached PDF file: HERE
Recognition for design excellence:
In addition to product medals, Abava Winery (Latvia) received special recognition for Best Bottle and Label Design, highlighting the region’s creativity in cider presentation and branding.
A strong start for Baltic Cider in Australia
The participation in the Australian Cider Awards was part of the first Baltic Cider export mission to Australia (20 October – 1 November 2025), supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Embassy of Latvia in Australia, Cider Australia, and the Latvian and Estonian communities in Melbourne and Sydney.
Cider masterclasses and tastings were held for distributors and professionals, generating strong interest in the unique, naturally crisp Baltic ciders made from sharp and bitter apple varieties native to the cool Northern climate – flavours that cannot be replicated in Australia’s warmer regions.
The journey continues
Following the success in Australia, the Baltic Cider team plans to continue market development through participation in major events such as ProWine Singapore and cider festivals across the region in 2026.
Learn more about Baltic Cider, upcoming events, and the award-winning producers at www.balticcider.com
Meet Baltic Cider!
Baltic Cider is an exciting new player in the global cider community. Here, we’ll bring you the latest in cider from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. From new releases and cider events to stories from local makers, we’re here to share the true flavour of the Baltics and Finland with you. Cheers from the Baltic Cider crew!
In this issue:
- What is Baltic Cider?
- Baltic Cider Community
- Taste Baltic Ciders and Meet the Makers — Australia, October 2025
- Baltic Cider Masterclasses with Gabe Cook, the Ciderologist, in Melbourne and Sydney
- Baltic Cider Competes at the Australian Cider Awards
- Learning from the Best: Baltic Cider Community Explores Global Trends
- Tom Oliver: You Are Only as Good as Your Next Cider
- The First Step Towards a Baltic Cider Terroir Map
- Science Helps to Shape the Perfect Cider
- Baltic Cider Joins the World Stage at SISGA in Asturias
- Raise a glass to the New Year at the 60th anniversary of the Australian Latvian Cultural Days!
- About the BALT-FIN-CIDER Initiative
- Stay updated with balticcider.com
- What’s Happening at Our Cideries?
Read the newsletter (PDF version)
Promotional Events Australia Oct-Nov, 2025
An Invitation: Discover Authentic Baltic and Finnish Ciders
You are cordially invited to a series of exclusive events—a presentation, tasting, and discussion dedicated to introducing authentic Baltic and Finnish ciders to Australia.
We are bringing a distinguished high-quality product crafted from the natural juice of apples cultivated in our orchards. This cider is the result of meticulous handcrafting, and we are proud to introduce it to a global audience.
During these events, we will provide an overview of the cidermaking process in the Baltics and Finland. We will present a selection of our artisanal ciders for tasting, complemented by traditional Latvian appetizers chosen to enhance the unique flavor profiles. We will also discuss the opportunities for culinary tourism, inviting you to visit our cideries and orchards as a travel destination.
This occasion offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the cidermakers in a cordial and informative atmosphere and gain deeper insight into the world of Baltic and Finnish cider.
This initiative is a collaborative marketing project with our Estonian and Finnish counterparts, launched to introduce the Australian market to genuine Baltic cider. The participants include the Latvian Rural Tourism Association (“Lauku ceļotājs”), the Estonian Rural Tourism Association, and select cidermakers from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland who produce cider exclusively from natural ingredients.
DISCOVER THE CRISP, AUTHENTIC FLAVORS OF BALTIC CIDER
New Portfolio Launch and Australian Showcase in October 2025!
We’re thrilled to unveil our latest Baltic Cider Portfolio, a curated collection of premium, whole-juice ciders crafted from the cool northern orchards of Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. These exceptional ciders capture the region’s unique terroir—naturally high in acidity, low in tannins, and bursting with vibrant, refreshing aromas. Made exclusively from freshly pressed apples (never from concentrate), our selections blend traditional heritage varieties with innovative infusions of fruits, berries, and herbs for a sophisticated yet approachable taste profile.
This portfolio showcases standout producers and their signature offerings:
From Latvia:
- Tālava Cidery
- Sabiles Sidrs
- Mūrbūdu Cider
From Estonia:
- Tori Cidery
- Kodas
- Jaanihanso Cidery
From Finland:
- Lepola Drinks
Join us in Australia this October 2025 for exclusive trade and retail promotional events, where you’ll taste these gems firsthand and explore sourcing and distribution opportunities. Whether you’re a retailer, distributor, or cider enthusiast, this is your chance to bring Baltic freshness Down Under!
Meet Latvian craft ciders at Cider World 25, Frankfurt, 25.-26. April 2025!
Cider World Frankfurt is the most important industry meeting in the heart of Europe.
Starting with the Cider World Awards, the best products of the vintage are tested and honoured in collaboration with Hochschule Geisenheim University and a high-calibre jury. During the preview, the submitted products can be tasted before the Cider World Medals are awarded. ‘Cider World Award, the most important industry competition’ Falstaff Magazine After the Cider World Awards, the Cider World Forum will take place for the first time with presentations on exciting industry topics.
The Cider World Expo is the world’s leading trade fair for cider, apple wine, cidre & co. In the exclusive setting of the Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten, professional vistitors and connoisseurs will taste the best products from world of ciders. Complementary side events ensure networking and knowledge transfer.
Meet Latvian craft ciders at CiderCon 2025, Chicago, USA, on 4-7 February!
We shall be proudly showcasing Latvian ciders at CiderCon 2025, the largest cider conference and trade show in the United States. CiderCon is the leading annual cider conference for industry professionals and an excellent opportunity to learn, share experiences, taste ciders, and network with people from all over the world working in various sectors of the cider industry. The conference will offer presentations, seminars, and workshops on themed categories: Doing Business Better, Knowing the Trends, Growing Bountiful Apples, Exploring Cider’s Flavor and Terroir, Crafting Amazing Cider, Selling More Cider. There will also be a trade show showcasing the cider industry.



















