Cider Review: DEVOTO ORCHARD’S “SAVE THE GRAVENSTEIN”
While all the
major beer companies have jumped on the growing cider bandwagon and will continue to create new converts to the drink based on their sweet, easy to drink concoctions, it’s going to be producers like Devoto Orchards with their east-facing, organic apple orchards in the Sebastopol Hills in Sebastopol, California that turn cider into something that gives discerning drinkers something to celebrate and hold up a model of artisan cidermaking.
DEVOTO ORCHARDS “SAVE THE GRAVENSTEIN” CIDER
Fruit: 95% Gravenstein, 5% blend of 5% Akane, Burgundy, Hubbardston Nonesuch, Pink Blush, Pink Pearl
Price: $12.99/750ml.
Alcohol: 6.9%
Production: 1,650 Cases
Rating: * * * * of 5
Tasted: April 1, 2014
Review: Cristal clear, short mousse upon pouring. Beautifully distinct green appley aroma. Hint of warm bread and citrus on the nose. Primarily dry on the palate with striking acidity that expands across the palate. Very refreshing from a textural perspective. The distinct green apple flavor follows on the palate after the initial burst of acidity and is fairly lengthy. This would likely be categorized as a “semi sweet” cider, but the hint of sugar and sweetness is just that—an informal hint. The 6.9% alcohol is barely noticeable, making this beautiful cider a charismatic, refreshing, straight forward, delicious and very fine tuned artisan cider.
testing
I love what the cider folks out there are doing with the Gravenstein apple. Reviving an endangered heirloom fruit. I haven’t had this yet. I will have to trade for it.
Patrick,
It’s starting to explode. We can see this in the way the big beer companies are getting into the game and in the way the real, artisan producers are cropping up and making startling good products.
TEST
Well, that worked. My past two comments on other posts never got through.
This is the beginning of something great.