Cornouaille. Cider has seen an explosion in popularity recently. Everyone from large beer companies to small scale New England farms has jumped into the game, and “craft cider” is no longer hard to find.
As with wine, cheese, and other culinary arts, most serious American cider makers have made the pilgrimage to France to study the origins of their craft. What they find is what we’re offering today: traditional, earthy, sparkling cider made on the rugged Breton peninsula.
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Cidre. Bretagne (Brittany) is a starkly beautiful coastal region, blanketed by rolling green hills and ancient stone walls. The land resembles England or Ireland more than France, and the region’s hardy, independent spirit is evident. For centuries the Bretons have cultivated an extensive network of orchards, pressing a wide variety of apples into their local sparkling drink.
We’ve yet to taste a domestic cider quite like this one from Melenig. The flavors are of earth, apple skins, black tea, and dried fruits; the mouthfeel is woodsy and rustic — a perfect representation of the rugged windblown coast. There’s a hint of ripe apple sweetness when first in the mouth, but the finish is dry and textured.
At 4% alcohol, this is a refreshing, complex, and delightful drink, as affordable as it is delicious. Serve it cold, with goat cheese salad or, if you really want to be authentic, crêpes. We tried it last night with grilled swordfish and roasted cauliflower — a lovely match on a warm summer evening.
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MELENIG Cidre de Cornouaille
Ansonia Retail: $15
offer price: $11.95/bot
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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS
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