We’re ringing in December with another kind of sparkler– Apples? Yes, as in cider. And, this one definitely sparkles!
This autumn we’ve been on an apple kick. Instead of sticking with only our favorites, we decided to search out varieties we’d never tried– and in some cases didn’t even know existed! This process, for us anyway, inevitably led to cider.
From a Honeycrisp sweet cider through the sparkling varieties (with and without alcohol), our cider route led right to our Sparkling Resolution selection for December– Organic Etienne Dupont from Normandie– one of the world’s truly great cider producing regions.
From a Honeycrisp sweet cider through the sparkling varieties (with and without alcohol), our cider route led right to our Sparkling Resolution selection for December– Organic Etienne Dupont from Normandie– one of the world’s truly great cider producing regions.
Our new “cider expert,” Nick Demjen, who’s also the beer manager at Bauer Wines & Spirits on Newbury Street, introduced us to this brut style of French cider
While this month’s sparkler is non-grape in origin, it's produced in a very similar manner. Nick explained that some cider makers add CO2 to the tank of cider and then bottle it. But, Etienne Dupont gets it’s sparkle the old fashion way, “...by putting yeast into the bottle and the yeast naturally carbonates the liquid. Most beers are done the same way,” he said.
Pour a glass (we used flutes to retain the sparkling wine illusion) and the nose is a bit funky– in a good way. The producer, Louis Dupont, refers to the nose as, “powerfull and complex. Aromas of acidic apples, pineapple and dried fruits,” with an “intense and complex” taste.
Of course, descriptions are just opinions, and the only one that really counts is yours.
So, here’s to a new month and to, in our opinion, a not-to-be-missed “sparkling” apple cider.
Related Posts:
Honeycrisp Apples Are Here!
The "Roz" Stars This Apple Season
You Only Think You Know Cider
Learn more about our Sparkling Resolution
For more about the wines we’re enjoying, click here.
Toasting a New Decade with Sparklling Wines on New Year’s Eve
Celebrating the Start of Summer at La Voile
Of course, descriptions are just opinions, and the only one that really counts is yours.
So, here’s to a new month and to, in our opinion, a not-to-be-missed “sparkling” apple cider.
Related Posts:
Honeycrisp Apples Are Here!
The "Roz" Stars This Apple Season
You Only Think You Know Cider
Learn more about our Sparkling Resolution
For more about the wines we’re enjoying, click here.
Toasting a New Decade with Sparklling Wines on New Year’s Eve
Celebrating the Start of Summer at La Voile
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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino
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