About me

Hiya! Thanks for visiting my blog.

My name is Natalia. I’m a PharmD by training, currently living in Berlin, Germany. I’m a cider blogger, cider expert, and an international cider judge with years of experience evaluating and judging cider from all over the world. My judging experience includes Cider World (2018–present), World Cider Awards (2020), International Natural Cider Competition in Madeira (2023), Nordic International Cider Awards in Latvia (2023), International Cider Challenge (2024), and Le Concours Régional des Produits Cidricoles Bretons (2024 and 2025). I’m also a Certified Pommelier through the American Cider Association. Additionally, I participated in a panel about perry at CiderCon 2024 in Portland, USA.

I wasn’t born a cider lover. If you’d asked me a few years ago what cider was, I’d have said it was probably a kind of beer flavored with apple juice. A lot has changed since then. I discovered cider, developed a passion for this exciting beverage, and started learning about cider-making, apple varieties, cider styles, and how they typically taste across different regions of the world. I still remember the first time I tasted a truly great cider—it completely changed how I viewed this wonderful drink. I fell in love with cider and decided to share my passion with others.

Unfortunately, finding good cider in this part of Europe can still be a challenge. But things are slowly changing! Cider makers outside the UK, France, and Spain are crafting some really excellent products. My goal is to explore cider from various European countries, share my honest opinions on ciders and perries, and raise awareness about the cider available mainly across Europe.

Here on the blog, you’ll find honest reviews, descriptions of visits to cider makers, cider bars, and cider shops, as well as reports from cider festivals and events across Europe. By visiting these places and events, and being active on social media — including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — I aim to promote cider culture and increase appreciation for quality craft cider and perry.

Have a favorite cider or a question about cider-making? Drop me a line — I love hearing from fellow cider enthusiasts! If you enjoy what you’re reading or want to share your thoughts with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My passion for talking about cider is insatiable!

You can contact me at cider.explorer@gmail.com, via the contact form, or find me on Facebook and Instagram. I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers!