430: Blending Cider Tradition with Modernity: Cidrerie Manoir du Val
Release Date: 10/23/2024
459: The Apple Finch’s Pet-Nats at de Groote Wei Cider | Netherlands
Cider Chat
Fourth-Generation Farmer, First-Generation Cidermaker Sophie Horstink of De Groote Wei, which means The Great Meadow in Dutch, is crafting Dutch cider as a value added project at her family’s farm. Located in the eastern Netherlands near Arnhem, the farm spans 16 hectares and has long produced dessert apples and pears. Sophie Horstink The Horstink family market is well-known and is a go-to place for locals to shop and would be considered a grocery store. She released her first cider in 2022. The early response was enthusiastic, selling out quickly and prompting her to scale...
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458: Sodo Sidriné and the Rise of Lithuanian Craft Cider
Cider Chat
Donatas Genys didn’t set out to launch Lithuania’s first keeved cider. But after trips to England and Normandy, years of experimentation, and the planting of over 6,000 cider apple trees, that’s exactly what he’s doing. At Sodo Sidriné, located just a few kilometers from the city of Kaunus, Donatas is into a whole new era for cider Lithuania’s cider revival Donatas Genys Cider Culture and Baltic Roots Lithuania has deep agricultural roots, but apple trees which at many of the homes are desired more for eating or making apple wine while vodka and beer under Soviet rule...
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457: Snow Capped Cider: A Family Legacy at 7,000 Feet | CO
Cider Chat
At the base of Colorado’s Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, five generations of fruit growers have worked the land. Today, Snow Capped Cider carries on that legacy, crafting estate-grown ciders from fruit nurtured at elevations between 6,130 and 7,000 feet. The high desert sun, volcanic soil, and pure snowmelt water combine to create vibrant apples and distinctive ciders. From Hobby to Heritage What began as a small experiment soon blossomed into a full-fledged cidery. Sparked by a disappointing store-bought cider, Kari Williams and her family leaned into their winemaking...
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456: From Oregon to Norway: Abram Goldman-Armstrong’s Cider Journey
Cider Chat
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455: Zero Percent Sh*t | John Edwards Returns
Cider Chat
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454: Wild Ferment Meets Fine Cider: Inside Oliver’s Barrel Room
Cider Chat
Rainy Days Goes Best with Dry Cider in the Barrel Room Walking into the barrel room at Oliver’s Cider and Perry Company, you might think you know what to expect. But surrounded by whitewashed stone walls, standing beneath the old Hessian sacking floor, and facing rows of aging barrels, I quickly realized this wasn’t just a cidery—it’s a living, breathing creative space for cider making. Tom Oliver sources fruit both from his farm and from local orchards across Herefordshire. This isn’t an estate cidery where everything is grown on-site—but what sets Oliver’s cider and perry...
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453: Homage to Perry Legends by Tom Oliver at AppleFest | UK
Cider Chat
Celebrating Perry’s Past, Present, and Future Tom Oliver began his keynote by saying, "At this year’s Applefest Banquet, I had the honor of lifting a glass to the people behind the pear—specifically Perry. It wasn’t just a toast to the drink itself, but to the incredible commitment behind its preservation and craft." Tom Oliver Three Perry Legends Charles Martel Known for his Stinking Bishop cheese and peri-based products. Catalogued disappearing peri pear varieties, creating the first national collection at the Three Counties Showground. His book on Gloucestershire...
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452: Mac to Redfield: Four Phantoms Brewery Embraces Cider | MA
Cider Chat
Drew Phillips opened the doors of Four Phantoms in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 2021. He began his fermentation career in the Pacific Northwest, and while waiting to open his own brewery, he took on the role as cider maker at Artifact Cider Project. Drew Phillips Known for his creative ciders and beers, Drew blends tradition with innovation, sourcing local fruit and experimenting with wild fermentation. Check out on the making of Old Gods . In this episode, Drew shares how Four Phantoms’ unique approach reflects the terroir of Western Massachusetts. Early Challenges of a...
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451: Hello Season 10 and The Berkshire Roundtable
Cider Chat
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450th Roger Wilkins - The Cider King
Cider Chat
Looking back at Season 9 and Forward with Roger Wilkins In this season ending episode we visit Roger Wilkins at his Lands End Farm. Cider King – Roger Wilkins Roger Wilkins, is known globally as the “Cider King,” and is a legendary figure in Somerset cider-making. He has been running Wilkins' Cider Farm in Mudgley since taking over from his grandfather in 1969. Renowned for his traditional methods, Roger ferments locally grown bittersweet apples in oak barrels, producing unfiltered, unsweetened farmhouse cider. His no-nonsense style and commitment to authenticity have made Wilkins'...
info_outlineInnovation at Cidrerie Manoir du Val: Blending Tradition and Modernity
Located in Normandy’s Pays de Risle, Cidrerie Manoir du Val and with maker Marie Bourut at the helm s crafting innovative ciders with a nod to tradition. With Marie’s husband Thomas Courtoux., this couple has transformed a historic orchard. From pioneering the production of Blanc Cider (white cider) to fermenting with Sorbus Domestica via the distinctive La Cormé Cidre, the duo’s approach is reshaping the way we think about Normandy cider.
In this Cider Chat
Arnould Nazarian helped connect Cider Chat with Marie and was on hand during this interview and helping with the translation. Arnould’s hobby is both finding Sorbus Domestica trees and sharing his affection for this magical fruit. Listen to his two Cider Chat’s
Innovations in Cider-Making at Manoir du Val
One of the standout ferments at Cidrerie Manoir du Val is the development of La Cormé Cidre, a cider made with the unique Sorbus Domestica tree. This rare fruit imparts a complexity and depth of flavor that sets it apart from more traditional apple-based ciders. Marie and her husband have also crafted Blanc Cidre, a white cider made by halting the oxidation process to create a fresh, clear cider that pairs perfectly with seafood and light dishes.
More Innovation! To support the orchard’s demanding harvest, Marie’s husband, Thomas, designed and built a custom machine called the Delorian. This tricked out tractor picks up apples from the ground, dramatically speeding up the harvesting process and reducing the need for manual labor.
The Ciders of Cidrerie Manoir du Val
- Pink Cider (Rosé) – Made from red-fleshed apples like La Rouge du Val, this vibrant cider is a sweet, fruit-forward offering with a stunning hue.
- La Cormé Cider – This unique cider is made with a blend of apples, pears, and the rare Sorbus Domestica fruit, bringing a balance of tartness and complexity. Note: Arnould and his mother Charlotte pick all the Sorbs used Ciderie Manoir du Val.
- Blanc Cider – A white cider that stands out for its clarity and crispness, perfect for pairing with seafood. The lack of oxidation during pressing keeps the cider fresh and bright- hear how this is done in the episode.
- There is also Calvados, Pommeau, Fresh Pressed Apple Juice and Poiré
Apple Varieties at Manoir du Val
Cidrerie Manoir du Val’s ciders are made from a carefully selected range of apple varieties, each chosen for its unique contribution to the cider-making process. Some of the key varieties include:
- La Rouge du Val (Red-fleshed apple) – name after the estate
- La Petit Jaune (Acidic variety)
- Chlorono (Sweet variety)
- Doux Vérets de Carrouges (Sweet variety)
- Benit Rouge & Douce Moen (Bitter Sweet)
- Fréquin Rouge & Marie Menard (Bitter variety)
Where to Find Cidrerie Manoir du Val Ciders
Cidrerie Manoir du Val products are sold both at their farm store and in various locations throughout the Paris region, including:
If you’re ever in Normandy, visiting the cidery is a must — not only for the ciders but also for a closer look at their innovative approach to cider-making.
Contact for Cidrerie Manoir du Val
- Website: https://www.manoirduval.fr/
- Address: EARL Courtoux Bourut, 960 Route du Val, Saint Aubin Le Guichard. 27410 Mesnil-en-ouche
Stay Updated with Cider Chat
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