Archive for the ‘Cider’ Category

Apr 29, 2014

A Most Remarkable 5-Star Cider — Bordelet Granit

2012 Eric Bordelet Poiré Granit The pears that M. Bordelet uses to make this Perry come from 300 year old, 60 foot trees on his estate in Northern France. 300 years old. Say it with me. Planted at some point around the year 1715. Remarkable. Why am I not then surprised that this is the finest cider I’ve yet tasted? There is a great deal of pride behind this bottling. It’s meant to impress. It’s meant to demonstrate where the…

Apr 25, 2014

Review: A Great Cider to Hook Non-Cider Drinkers

Blue Mountain Cider Company Eden Ridge Hard Cider Blue Mountain Cider Company is located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon in northeastern Oregon and just over he border from Washington. This is convenient since they source all of their apples from the Walla Walla Valley in Washington. Blue Mountain produces about eight different ciders including a single varietal Gravenstein cider. The cider reviewed today, the Eden Ridge, would be considered their “entry-level” cider. Alcohol: 6% Production: Unknown Source: Walla Walla Valley, Washington Fruit:…

Apr 23, 2014

Review: A Cider To Substitute for Champagne

Finnriver Artisan Sparkling Cider — Methode Champenoise Brut Finnriver Cidery in Washington State makes a bevy of different ciders and is considered among the leading craft cidrers in the country. Additionally, their goods are fairly well-distributed. This bottling is made in the style of Champagne and most American sparkling wine. Upon tasting it you’ll find it is an outstanding substitute for sparkling wine. Alcohol: 8% Production: Unknown Source: Washington State Fruit: Dessert Varieties Price: $22.99 / 750ml. RATING: * *…

Apr 23, 2014

Huge Growth in Hard Cider Leads to Shortage of the Right Apples

It may be a matter of simply not being able to recall specifics, but I cannot remember any time in the past 25 years when American winemaking was threatened by a significant lack of raw materials: grapes. Perhaps there was a time back in the 1990s when vineyards were being replanted due to phylloxera when wineries could not meet demand due to a dearth of grapes. However, according to Modern Farmer Magazine, this is exactly the situation that American Hard…

Apr 22, 2014

Review—A Smoking Good Cider From Sonoma County: Tilted Shed

Tilted Shed Ciderworks 2013 January Barbecue Smoked Cider Located in western Sonoma County in California (a region once famed for its apple production) Tilted Shed Ciderworks is the real deal…real, honest, dedicated craft cidermakers who believe cider is the equal of wine  or any craft beer in significance and meaning and that it deserves to be taken seriously. Their use of Sonoma County heirloom cider apples, their orchard where they are experimenting with a number of traditional cider apples and…