Raise a glass – sophisticated cider

Cider is becoming as sophisticated as wine with varieties ranging from light and bone-dry through to deep and multi-layered, says Rob Buckhaven

1 Creamy spice

Tesco Finest Single Orchard Cider (£1.79) has notes of toffee apple and cloves.

Blagger’s guide

The 100-year-old oak vats in which this zesty, medium-dry cider matures give it an intense taste.

2 Juicy Fruits

Dunkertons Organic Black Fox Cider (£2.25, Ocado) has lashings of pithy apple bite.

Blagger’s guide

This cider is named after a mythical black fox, which is said to bestow good luck on the apple harvest.

Feisty Apple

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference French Sparkling Cider (£1.99) has a sour-apple froth.

Blagger’s guide

This cider originates from Brittany, and won this year’s International Cider Challenge.

Photography: Manos Chatzikonstantis, Getty Images Stockists: Ocado (Ocado.com), Sainsbury’s (Sainsburys.co.uk), Tesco (Tesco.com)