What is the difference between cider and wine?

Cider is fermented apple (or pear) juice, while wine is fermented grape juice. UK duty law sets cider below 8.5% ABV, and BJCP's standard cider styles run from 3% to 9%. US federal law, however, classifies cider as a wine made from apples.

Updated 2026-10-02

Key differences

	Cider	Wine
Fruit	Apples (perry: pears)	Grapes
UK duty definition	Fermented apple or pear juice, at least 35% juice, below 8.5% ABV [1]	Fermented fresh grapes or grape must [1]
US federal law	A wine made from apples ("apple wine" or "cider") [2]	Grape wine
BJCP 2025 strength range	Standard styles 3–9%; specialty up to 16% (C2D Fire Cider) [3]	Not covered by BJCP

How is cider made compared with wine?

Both are made by fermenting fruit juice with yeast. A study of cider fermentation notes: "Commercial cider producers use techniques and yeast strains similar to industry standards for grape-based wines." [4] The difference starts before fermentation: apples are milled and pressed into juice, as described in the guide on how cider is made. For the step-by-step process at home, see how to make cider at home.

Do they taste different?

Yes. BJCP describes cider and perry as having "a body and fullness akin to a light wine". [3] Cider's character comes from the apple: tannin and acidity vary with the variety, and specialty cider apples are higher in tannins and/or acidity than dessert apples. [5] The ways cider is styled (dry or sweet, still or sparkling) overlap with wine; see the guide to types of cider.

Where do cider and wine overlap?

Ice cider and ice wine use cold to concentrate sugar; see ice cider vs ice wine.
Sparkling cider can be made by the traditional method, like Champagne; see cider vs champagne.
Applewine. BJCP's C2B Applewine is a cider with added sugar to reach 9–12% ABV, "like a dry white wine". [6]

Related answers: is cider beer · cider vs champagne

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Rate ciders in Cider Radar from 1 to 5 and on sweetness, body, tannin, turbidity and funk, and compare them the way you would compare wines.
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Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

Is cider a type of wine?

In US federal law, yes: TTB treats cider as a wine fermented from apples, labelled "apple wine" or "cider". [2] In the UK, cider and wine are separate duty categories; wine is made from fresh grapes or grape must. [1]

Is cider stronger than wine?

It depends on the bottle, so check the ABV. UK cider must be below 8.5% ABV to count as cider for duty. [1] BJCP's standard cider styles run from 3% to 9%, though some specialty ciders such as ice cider reach 13%. [3]

Is cider made like wine?

Largely. A study of cider fermentation notes that commercial cider producers use techniques and yeast strains similar to those used for grape wine. [4]