Five to try: Ciders

Bress Harcourt Valley Cider Brut

A bubbly cider made from 40-year-old cider trees, its double fermentation means this is as close to Champagne as you can get…while still drinking apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?

RRP: $20
Buy it at: City Wine Shop

Cider Haus - Freyeisen

Original German cider newly imported to Australia, Freyeisen (fry-eye-zen) is hand-crafted to showcase the best of the Hessen cider region’s fruit. Dry and the opposite of sickly-sweet, drink this to impress your friends.

RRP: $4.50
Buy it at: Prince Wine Store

Golden Axe

People’s Choice winner at the 2012 Microbrewery Showcase, this easy-to-quaff number has zero concentrates, zero sugar, and is 100% vegan. You’re pretty much helping charity just by drinking it.

RRP: $77 per case
Buy it at: Swords Wines

Harcourt Pear Cider

Mixing Buerre Bosc, William, and Packham pears, the geniuses at Harcourt have come up with a creamy pear cider (perry) that will have you eyeing your supermarket’s produce section in a new way.

RRP: $6
Buy it at: Acland Cellars

Mountain Goat Two Step

A perfect example of how great Victorian apples are when left to do their thing. Medium-dry and crisp, it goes down a treat (and at 5%, you can down a four-pack in one sitting).

RRP: $16 per four-pack
Buy it at: McCoppins Fitzroy