Cidermugs
A hand raising a bottle of Parcimonie cidre against a deep blue summer sky, a glass of sparkling cider alongside

French cider
becoming reborn.

Once a sparkling tradition,
in farmhouses across the north,
left to rot on life support,
in pancake houses,
served in little mugs.

But the old orchards weren't forgotten.
And like birds that leave
and come back in spring,
a rebirth is happening.

Our first producer

Domaine
Cyprien Lireux

In the heart of Normandy, between evergreen lanes and sandstone spires, lies Domaine Cyprien Lireux, the estate of a cidermaker who embodies the new wave magic of French cider today.

From our first steps on the farm, eagerly greeted by ever-present Nutsie the dog (she appears on all the labels), we knew we'd arrived somewhere special.

For Cyprien, cidermaking began like many of Normandy's new school of producers, with fruits gleaned from his grandparents' orchards. But with burning ambition, he planted over 4 hectares of apple and pear trees of his own - taking over half a decade to reach maturity.

That investment is bearing fruit (literally), and we have selected five of his finest cuvées for a limited UK release.

Cyprien Lireux in a burgundy beanie sorting freshly harvested apples in crates at the domaine
A bottle of Parcimonie 2024 lying on dark weathered wood, cork and cage catching the light

Parcimonie

The philosophy of simplicity.

2024 Méthode Ancestrale Cidre Brut

Herbaceous / Floral / Citrus

For an introduction to French Cider, we can look no further. This is a classic keeved cidre brut which firmly establishes Cyprien Lireux as a master of the Pays d'Auge field blend.

Composed of 50% sweet/bittersweet (Boudin, Douce Moen, Douce Coelinier), 25% tart (Petit Jeanne and René Martin), and 25% bitter (Fréquin Rouge and Marie Ménard).

Orchard
Pays d'Auge
Terroir
Multitudes
ABV
5.5%
Formats
750ml

Prémices

An initiatory vintage as an exploration into the true nature of the pear.

2024 Méthode Ancestrale Poiré

Mineral / Citrus / Grapefruit

A bright, taut perry from seven varieties of Domfrontais pear, predominantly Plant de Blanc. Lively and dynamic, with low residual sugars lending a profile similar to Crémant.

Citrus and saline notes allow exceptional pairing with raw oysters, pour a little into the shell and enjoy the magical combination in one.

Orchard
Domfrontais
Terroir
Thick Clay
ABV
4.5%
Formats
750ml
A hand holding a bottle of Prémices poiré aloft against a clear blue sky
A bottle of Coup-Franc lying on sunlit pale stone beside a glass of the amber co-ferment, shadows falling long

Coup-Franc

An experimental cabernet franc co-ferment in collaboration with Chinon wine-maker Boris Desbourdes.

2025 Pét-Nat Co-ferment

Juicy / Red Grape / Bitter Herbs

Coup-Franc is crafted as a 'Vin de Soif' - a highly approachable and easy to drink wine. With more body, tannin, and colour than Cyprien's traditional cuvées, this is a cider that takes many by surprise.

For fans of funky pét-nats, made from 25% Cabernet Franc grapes and 75% apples, this cuvée will also be of particular interest. Serve chilled, but not too chilled, for the palate will be diminished.

Orchard
Champcerie + Chinon
Terroir
Blended
ABV
7.5%
Formats
750ml

L'Herbage

Familial micro-cuvée, unchanged for three generations.

2024 Méthode Ancestrale Demi-Sec

Baked Apple / Honey / Vanilla

An elegantly sweet cider, eponymously titled from the cadastral name of the family's orchard - L'Herbage. Cyprien Lireux's grandfather selected and planted the varieties himself, which were grafted through massal selection by his father and later by Cyprien himself, preserving the original recipe. Three generations of tree now co-exist in the orchard.

L'Herbage is best suited to the relaxed conversation at the end of a meal, alongside a light dessert or cheese course.

Orchard
Damblainville
Terroir
Silty Limestone Soil
ABV
4.8%
Formats
750ml
A bottle of L'Herbage cidre held up close, its label showing the family apple tree and Nutsie the dog, a glass of golden cider raised behind
A bottle of Soixante Quarante standing on a lichen-covered stone wall by the water, a hand raising a glass of pale gold cider beside it

Soixante Quarante

France's tomorrow, a golden ratio uncovered in proportion.

2024 Méthode Ancestrale Extra-Brut

Lemon Peel / Quince / Fresh Herbs

The pinnacle of modern cider in France. Blending tart variety; Rambaut, with bitter and bittersweets; Douce Moen, Fréquin Rouge, and Marie Ménard, in proportions as titled, Cyprien has crafted an exceptional gastronomic cider.

Dynamic tension, subtle tannin, and low residual sugar allow harmonious pairing with grilled fish, mussels and roasted chicken.

Orchard
La Huronnière, Champcerie
Terroir
Deep Clay-Lime Soil
ABV
6.5%
Formats
750ml

The entire range is sulphite-free, made from hand-harvested fruit, with ageing taking place before the juice reaches full maturity.

Interested in stocking?

For wholesale pricing, samples, or to place an order, please get in touch.

jack@cidermugs.com
Stockists