2021 'This Is Wine' Sparkling Apple Cider Pressed on Carignan Skins
Apples/Grapes: Pippins, Jonathans, Granny Smiths, Carignan skins, rosé must
Method: We couldn’t let our freshly pressed 2021 Carignan skins go to waste, so we submerged them in the juice of heirloom apple varieties grown just west of Sebastopol. The apples were crushed, macerated for 30 hours, then pressed. The apple juice and Carignan skins lived in the fermenter for a bit and then we drained the juice off the skins and let it ferment to dryness. We added back very ripe, unfermented rosé must to get the sugars to 10g/L. Bottled under crown cap, we allowed this back-sweetened cider to ferment and go dry in bottle, giving it its soft effervescence. No disgorging necessary! And, as always, bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with no addition of SO2.
Tastes and Smells: In a double exposure picture, this is basque style dry cider overlaid with the best Cali glou! Thats it. Reggiano rind on the nose, followed by a hint of raspberry yet dominated by pure apple fruit. A savory funk dances with a purity of clean apple flavors. Try with hard cheeses and salted and/or tinned fish.
This wine is ALIVE, and active. Please give the Cider at least a few hours to settle, and open very, very carefully over a sink at a 45° angle.
ABV: 10.3%
Cases: 244
Bottling Date: October 2021
Release Date: March 2022