Cider Chat · Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist

483: The Talking Pomme's Grand Winter Party

December 24, 2025·14 min·1 clip

A loud clatter in the orchard wakes everyone, hinting at a magical winter arrival.

This special winter episode of Cider Chat features host Ria Windcaller alongside the recurring characters the Talking Palms: Perry Pear, Medlars, and Mr. Quince. The episode is a festive, original story rather than the show's typical interview format. The narrative recounts the Talking Palms' Grand Winter Party held at the Cider House at Cider Chat Central. The tale begins on the night before a holiday pressing, with apples, pears, quince, and medlars waiting quietly. A sudden clatter in the orchard reveals a miniature sleigh pulled by eight apples, with a plump pear named Perry Pear at the front. The apples, including varieties named Dabinette, Dakota, Pippin, and Vixen, dash to the cider house press. Wild yeast begin to roar, a sound only the Medlars understand, and the cider house fills with laughter and dancing. The character Apple arrives dramatically down the chimney with a sack of bottles, ensuring no one goes thirsty. A party ensues with fiddlers, drummers, and a quince named Shmirna described as having a waist that shakes like a bowlful of jelly. After hours of celebration, including eating chocolate, Apple announces it's time to leave, urging designated drivers as the sleigh bounds to the next cider house. A memorable moment involves the wild yeasts snoring contentedly after the party. The story concludes with Ria observing the snowy orchard, hearing a village sing, and seeing a bright light, possibly a sleigh. The episode ends with a wish for listeners to have blissful dreams, a full cider glass, and a belief in magic. The hosts break character briefly to discuss adding more about pears before signing off with a catchy, repetitive song about liking cider, palms, orchards, and having fun. The tone is whimsical, narrative, and celebratory, styled as a holiday-themed audio story with playful character interactions. The style is highly produced and theatrical, with sound effects and multiple vocal performances creating an immersive radio-play experience. Listeners who enjoy imaginative storytelling, personified fruit characters, and cozy, festive audio will love this episode. Those who prefer the podcast's standard educational interviews with cider makers might find this seasonal departure less appealing.

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