What is the difference between apple cider and apple wine?

Key facts

• US tax "hard cider". A defined wine class from apples or pears, under 8.5% ABV, with a CO₂ cap and no other fruit flavouring. [1]
• Apple wine on labels. Stronger or differently built apple ferments may sit outside that class and read as apple wine. [2]
• BJCP applewine. Style C2B is cider with added sugar toward 9–12% ABV. [3]

How do sugar and strength separate the terms?

Everyday "cider" and "apple wine" overlap in shops. US federal hard-cider tax treatment applies only inside a narrow band: primarily apple or pear, 0.5% to under 8.5% ABV, limited carbonation, no other fruit flavouring. [1] Add enough sugar to push alcohol higher, or leave the hard-cider class for other reasons, and the same orchard product may be labelled and taxed more like wine. [2] BJCP names a separate Applewine (C2B) cider style with added sugar and a wine-like 9–12% ABV band. [3] Broader cider-versus-grape-wine context: cider vs wine.

What should you read on the label?

Check the alcohol statement, the class or type line (cider, hard cider, apple wine) and any sweetness term. In the US, "cider" on an alcohol label still means a wine made from apples for the regulator. [2] Typical strength bands for drinking styles are listed in alcohol content of cider.

Where does German Apfelwein fit?

Apfelwein around Frankfurt is usually still, dry and tart — an apple wine in the cultural sense and a cider style in the guide types of cider — German Apfelwein. It is not the US tax class "hard cider", but it answers the same shopper question: fermented apple juice with its own name.

Related answers: cider vs wine · alcohol content of cider

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Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.