Bittersweet Sparkling Cider

Bittersweet apples are the backbone of traditional English cider and are some of the rarest apples in Canada. We grow several of these prized varietals on our farm, which can be heartbreaking to grow, yet produce some of the world’s finest ciders. Our Bittersweet estate-grown cider is an off-dry sparkler expressing the classic phenolic character of this coveted fruit.

Raise a glass of Sea Cider to a bittersweet tradition!

How We Make This Cider

Bittersweet is part of our varietal-focused Heirloom Series. Sea Cider grows many bittersweet cider varietals, which are high in tannin and low in acid. We press our bittersweets at the farm in the fall, then ferment the juice with champagne yeast to yield a cider full of phenolic character. From apple to glass, making this coveted cider takes up to four months.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings 

• Appearance: Clear, bright, amber
• Aromas/Flavours: Phenolic, spicy, cut apple, orchard leaves
• Acid/Sweetness: Semi-dry
• Mouthfeel: Astringent, gently effervescent, tannic

Food pairings: Tannins have a drying effect and may be perceived as enhancing the spiciness or acidity of a dish. This can be offset by increasing the sweetness in a dish or bumping up the richness of the dish. For main dishes try rich meats such as pork belly, BBQ ribs or sausage. For cheese, try camembert or cheddar.

Good to Know

• 7.2% ABV
• 750 ml clear champagne glass with crown cap + flip top for re-closure
• Produced on-site in Saanichton, BC, Canada

Awards

• 2026 GOLD - Canadian Cider Awards 
• 2025 GOLD - Northwest Cider Cup 
• 2025 GOLD - WineAlign/National Wine Awards of Canada
• 2025 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2024 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2024 BRONZE - Northwest Cider Cup
• 2022 GOLD - PICC (Portland International Cider Cup)
• 2022 GOLD - Sip Magazine / Best of the Northwest
• 2022 BRONZE - GLINTCAP
• 2021 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2021 BEST IN SHOW - PICC (Portland International Cider Cup)
• 2019 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2019 SILVER - PICC (Portland International Cider Cup)
• 2018 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2018 SILVER - BC Cider Awards
• 2018 BEST IN SHOW -   PICC (Portland International Cider Cup)
• 2017 SILVER - GLINTCAP
• 2017 SWEEPSTAKES AWARD  - Dan Berger International Cider Awards
• 2016 GOLD - GLINTCAP
• 2016 GOLD - PNWCA
• 2016 GOLD - Dan Berger International Cider Awards
• 2016 BRONZE & PEOPLE’S CHOICE - Taste BC
• 2015 SILVER - PNWCA 
  

Heirloom Series

Traditional European cider varietals and heritage North American apple varietals are the focus of our Heirloom Series. For centuries, British and European cidermakers have used cider-specific varietals to impart complexity in cider that ordinary eating apples cannot achieve. Cider made from bittersweet and bittersharp varietals in places like Herefordshire and Somerset delivers earthy phenolic aromas and appealing astringency that, to this day, distinguishes this style of cider as “the cider for cidermakers”.  Most of the varietals we grow at Sea Cider are of this lineage, and include Dabinetts, Kingston Blacks, Chisel Jerseys and Yarlington Mills. 

Sea Cider’s Heirloom Series of ciders pays tribute to apples that have stood the test of time and produced some of the world’s finest cider. The ciders in this series are handcrafted on our farm and have been developed to highlight the robust varietals deeply rooted in tradition.

Products in the Heirloom Series include, in preferred tasting order: Perry; Wild English; Flagship; Platinum; Kings & Spies; Bittersweet; Pippins.