515: World of Cider: The Baltic Region

What happens when a cider region has the apples, but not centuries of rules telling cidermakers what cider is supposed to be?

Recorded at CiderCon 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island, this World of Cider session brings together three Latvian cider makers and Asnāte Ziemele of Baltic Cider.

The Baltics have a long apple-growing heritage, but their modern cider movement is remarkably young. That gives today's makers room to experiment with local heirloom apples, wild seedlings, European cider varieties, pét-nat, still cider, wild fermentation and more as they develop their own Baltic cider identity.

In This Cider Chat
Why Baltic cider is something of a blank slate
Northern climate, orchards and local apple varieties
Wild seedlings, crab apples and European cider varieties
Pét-nat, still cider and wild fermentation
Building consumer understanding of real cider
Organic orchard practices and wildlife pressure
Cider regulations, ABV and taxes
Food pairings and where to find Baltic cider
Building a Baltic cider identity without fixed traditions
Featured Panel

Asnāte Ziemele | Baltic Cider

Jānis Matvejs | Abuls Cidery

Mārtiņš Knipšis | Pienjāņi Cidery

Māris Plūme | Mr. Plūme Cidery

Timestamps

00:00 Baltic Cider Blank Slate

01:16 Host Intro and Cider Tours

03:17 Why the Baltics Now

04:05 Meet the Baltic Cider Association

04:52 Origins After 1991

05:57 Climate and Growing Conditions

08:17 Orchards and Apple Types

10:22 Styles and Ingredients

11:39 Challenges and Marketing

12:07 Abuls Cidery Story

14:36 Abuls Orchard and Pét-Nat

16:30 Pienjāņi Orchard Journey

19:47 Conservative Dry Cider Approach

21:51 Mr. Plūme Philosophy

26:17 Wild Fermentation Method

28:01 Audience Q&A and Sweet Cider

28:45 Real Cider Education

29:59 Selling Sweet and Natural Cider

30:16 Restaurants Build Awareness

31:09 Organic Orchard Practices

33:03 Wild Apples and Bitters

33:46 ABV Limits and Taxes

35:37 Building a Baltic Cider Identity

36:49 Apples in Latvian Life

38:54 Food Pairings with Cider

40:01 Where to Drink Baltic Cider

41:17 Market Niches and Bottles

43:11 Baltic Cider Association Communication

44:28 Regulations and Labeling

47:20 Fences and Wildlife Pressure

47:57 Grafting and Tree Sourcing

48:58 Closing Thanks and Signoff

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