Shortlisted for the Guild of Food Writers Award 2023: Drinks Category Longlisted for the André Simon Award for Drink Books for 2022 Real cider, craft cider, farm cider, artisan cider: Whatever you wish to call it, at its best, cider is made and should be enjoyed like a fine wine, with all of the sophistication but less of the pretentiousness. Just as there are many volumes devoted to the great wine regions of the world, we now need a ‘cider appreciation’ manual to fully understand and delve into the rich culture of cider and perry. Cider Planet is that book and Claude Jolicoeur is our expert guide. In Cider Planet, Claude Jolicoeur – a cider expert, a passionate cider maker, and author of the internationally-acclaimed New Cider Maker’s Handbook – takes readers to the world’s greatest cider regions, providing a guided tour and a deep understanding and appreciation for how this ‘Prince of Beverages’ is made. Describing orchard practices and specific apple varieties used in different countries, he reveals the long and proud history of the world’s oldest ciderlands. He also profiles different cider styles and rituals and learns from some of the most knowledgeable producers and local cider experts in each country. Cider, though, is no longer just a traditional European drink. In recent years it has caught on in other parts of the globe and Jolicoeur talks about these new and emerging regions, which are building upon the old traditions and creating new ones of their own. Jolicoeur also explores the most revered areas for making pear cider or ‘perry’, and he even transports readers to Kazakhstan, famous as the ‘birthplace of the domestic apple’.

All around the world, the public's taste for fermented cider has been growing more rapidly than at any time in the past 150 years. And with the growing interest in locally grown and artisanal foods, many new cideries are springing up all over North America, often started up by passionate amateurs who want to take their cider to the next level as small-scale craft producers. To make the very best cider-whether for yourself, your family, and friends or for market-you first need a deep understanding of the processes involved, and the art and science behind them. Fortunately, The New Cider Maker's Handbook is here to help. Author Claude Jolicoeur is an internationally known, award-winning cider maker with an inquiring, scientific mind. His book combines the best of traditional knowledge and techniques with up-to-date, scientifically based practices to provide today's cider makers with all the tools they need to produce high-quality ciders. The New Cider Maker's Handbook is divided into five parts containing: An accessible overview of the cider making process for beginners; Recommendations for selecting and growing cider-appropriate apples; Information on juice-extraction equipment and directions on how to build your own grater mill and cider press; A discussion of the most important components of apple juice and how these may influence the quality of the cider; An examination of the fermentation process and a description of methods used to produce either dry or naturally sweet cider, still or sparkling cider, and even ice cider. This book will appeal to both serious amateurs and professional cider makers who want to increase their knowledge, as well as to orchardists who want to grow cider apples for local or regional producers. Novices will appreciate the overview of the cider-making process, and, as they develop skills and confidence, the more in-depth technical information will serve as an invaluable reference that will be consulted again and again. This book is sure to become the definitive modern work on cider making. A mechanical engineer by profession, Claude Jolicoeur first developed his passion for apples and cider after acquiring a piece of land on which there were four rows of old abandoned apple trees. He started making cider in 1988 using a "no-compromise" approach, stubbornly searching for the highest possible quality. Since then, his ciders have earned many awards and medals at competitions, including a Best of Show at the prestigious Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP). Claude actively participates in discussions on forums like the Cider Digest, and is regularly invited as a guest speaker to events such as the annual Cider Days festival in western Massachusetts. He lives in Quebec City.