An analytical method for the quantitative determination of the principal phenolic compounds (benzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, 3-phenylpropionic acids, flavanols, procyanidins, dihydrochalcones, quercetin glycosides) in ciders, which successfully employs a RP-HPLC and photodiode-array detection system without prior treatment of the sample, is described. Parameters usually examined in the method validation were evaluated. Good linearity was obtained with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999 and the detection limits ranged from 0.07mg/L (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) to 2mg/L (hydrocaffeic acid). Recoveries ranging between 90 and 104% and the reproducibility of the method was always <8% (RSD). The method was applied to a set of commercial samples and the results obtained may be helpful to establish a phenolic profile in Asturian cider.