Complete guide to Portuguese artisanal cider

What is craft cider?

Craft cider is a fermented beverage made from natural apple juice — without artificial additives, industrial processes or dilutions. Unlike commercial cider, which is usually sweet, filtered and artificially carbonated, craft cider respects the natural fermentation process, resulting in a drier, more authentic and terroir-based product.

How is artisanal cider made?

The process begins with the harvesting of apples, which are crushed to extract the juice. This juice ferments naturally with yeasts — either from the fruit or added — for several weeks. In artisanal ciders, the focus is on maintaining:

the character of the apple,
natural acidity,
and the expression of the place of origin.

There is no added sugar, flavorings or gas — it's all a natural process.

Most common types of artisanal cider

Each cider varies depending on the region, style, and type of apple used. The most popular styles include:

Dry (raw) cider: no residual sugar, intense and clean
Semi-dry cider: light sweetness balanced with acidity
Sparkling cider: with fine bubbles and elegance, ideal for celebrations
Natural cider: unfiltered, more rustic and complex
Flavored cider (less common in artisanal cider): with fruit or spice infusions

And in Portugal? Is there a cider tradition?

Yes, and it's growing.

Portugal has an agricultural tradition linked to apples — especially in mountainous areas — but only recently has it begun to transform this potential into quality ciders with their own identity.

Affectus is one of these projects. We produce 100% Portuguese artisanal cider, made with mountain apples at an altitude of 600m, without added sugar or additives, and with three different profiles:

Our Affectus ciders

Brut (750ml)

Dry, intense, naturally fermented and bottled with a cork stopper. Ideal for seafood, grilled fish or fresh salads.

Semi-Dry (330ml)

Lighter, with a soft touch of sweetness. Excellent with cheeses, white meats and traditional oven-baked dishes.

Brut Sparkling Wine (750ml)

With fine, elegant and festive bubbles. Great with starters, vegetarian dishes and fruit desserts.

Why choose craft cider?

Because it's an honest drink.
No artificial ingredients, real flavor, and responsibly made. Craft cider is also:

lighter than wine
more gastronomic than beer
and more interesting than many expect

If you value origin, authenticity and balance — artisanal cider is for you.