Cider Chat

By: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist
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  • Summary

  • Interviewing cidermakers importers, orchardists, foodies, farmers and cider enthusiasts around the world. Let’s delve into the semantics of cider…or is it hard cider, cidre, sidra or fermented apple juice? The truth is out there in Ciderville and we are going to find it. We toast in celebration of cider; As a libation, a gift from the gods, a taste of terroir, and a hard pressed good time. Ready to quench your thirst? Grab a glass and join this chat! See you in Ciderville!
    © Cider Chat 2014- 2024
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Episodes
  • 433: The Ultimate Cider Pairing Guide for Thanksgiving

    433: The Ultimate Cider Pairing Guide for Thanksgiving
    Nov 13 2024
    Why Pair Cider with Thanksgiving Dinner? Cider is a fantastic beverage for Thanksgiving, with a range of flavors to suit savory, sweet, and spicy dishes. It’s an ideal alternative to wine or beer, bringing a refreshing acidity and fruit-forward profile that lifts and enhances Thanksgiving flavors. From crisp dry ciders to dessert-ready ice ciders, there’s a pairing for everyone at your table. Start Thanksgiving with a Cider Aperitif Opening your Thanksgiving celebration with a light cider aperitif or cocktail helps set a festive mood. Here are a few ideas to get started: Lisa Laird CranJack Cocktail 1 1/2 oz. Laird’s Straight Applejack 4 oz. Club soda Cranberry juice Slice of lime Classic Sparkling Cider: A crisp, dry sparkling cider in a champagne flute makes a refreshing, light aperitif. Apple-Ginger Cider Mocktail: Mix sparkling cider with ginger juice and garnish with apple slices for a warming, spiced start to the meal. Main Course: Turkey and Vegetarian Pairings Whether your main course is turkey or a vegetarian option, cider brings out the best in savory herbs and seasonings. Here are a few pairing suggestions For Turkey Lovers Herb-Roasted Turkey with Rosemary and Sage Pair with: Dry, crisp cider from the Finger Lakes or Vermont. Why It Works: The dry cider’s acidity complements the turkey’s rich, savory herbs, offering a light and refreshing contrast to the meat’s natural flavors. Recommended Ciders Alma Cider - Dry (Washington) (500 mL) 6.2% Cockrell Cider - 1783 (Washington) (750 mL) 6.9% Farnum Hill Extra Dry Cider (New Hampshire) 750 mL 7.5% Smoked Turkey Pair with: Barrel-aged cider from California or New York. Why It Works: Aged ciders with a smoky, woody profile enhance the bold, smoky flavor of the turkey, creating a complex and satisfying pairing. Recommended Ciders Bent Ladder Black Gold (Ohio) (750 mL) 8.7% Esso Terra Ciderworks Halcyon (Colorado) (750 mL) 7.6% Presque Isle Farm 2021 Single Barrel: Esopus Spitzenburg (Michigan) (750 mL) 10% For Vegetarian Main Dishes Mushroom Wellington or Stuffed Acorn Squash Pair with: Semi-dry cider from Oregon or Washington. Why It Works: The earthy, umami notes in mushrooms or squash pair beautifully with a semi-dry cider, amplifying the savory herbs in these dishes. Recommended Ciders: Gypsy Circus Cider/ Queen of Swords (Tennessee) (16 Ounce cans) 6% unfiltered medium bodied cider Gypsy Circus 2024 Raindancer (16 Ounce cans) 6% 100% locally sourced Semi dry ciders can be found in every liquor store that sells cider in the US - buy local and enjoy! Side Dish Pairings for Classic Thanksgiving Sides Thanksgiving sides are often seasoned with spices like sage, thyme, and cinnamon. Here’s how cider can enhance these traditional flavors: Savory Stuffing with Sage and Thyme Pair with: Semi-dry cider with herbal notes. Why It Works: A semi-dry cider’s acidity cuts through the richness of stuffing, while herbal undertones bring out the dish’s earthy flavors. Recommended Ciders: Snowdrift Cider - Red Cider 2023 (500 mL) (Colorado) 7.5% A beautiful deep rosé color courtesy of the redfleshed apples Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Pair with: Crisp, dry cider. Why It Works: A dry cider’s refreshing acidity balances the creamy, dense texture of mashed potatoes and gravy. Recommended Ciders: Botanist and Barrel 2022 Less is More Wild Ferment Pétillant Naturel (375ml) & (750 mL) Fermented from wild yeast on the apple skins using the Pétillant Naturel technique, subtle minerality, honey notes and racy acidity Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze Pair with: High-acidity, dry cider. Why It Works: The cider’s crispness contrasts with the slight bitterness of Brussels sprouts and enhances the sweetness of the balsamic glaze. Recommended Ciders: Greenbench Webb City's Cellar Northern Spy (Florida) - 6.2% Northern Spy apples fermented dry create this crisp, tart cider. Sweet Potato Casserole with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Pair with: Sweet, spiced cider. Why It Works: Sweeter ciders with notes of cinnamon or nutmeg pick up on the spices in sweet potatoes, adding a warm, cozy feel to the meal. Recommended Ciders: Botanist and Barrel: Scarlet (North Carolina) (750 mL) & (375 mL) 6.9% - Spiced Winter Rose Cider, made with orange peel, cinnamon, star anise, allspice, cloves, dried ginger, nutmeg. Thanksgiving Dessert: Sweet Cider Pairings Finish off your Thanksgiving feast with dessert ciders that enhance the sweet, spiced flavors of classic holiday pies and treats. Pumpkin Pie Pair with: Ice cider from Vermont or New York. Why It Works: Ice cider’s concentrated apple sweetness and acidity balance the spiced pumpkin filling, creating a luxurious, indulgent pairing. Recommended Ciders: Eden Specialty Ciders Heirloom Blend (Vermont) (375 mL) 10% 15 heirloom apple varieties Cider Hill Cellars (Massachusetts) – Winter 12.5% an ...
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    58 mins
  • 432: Ancha Gergely’s Abaliget Garden Projects | Hungarian Cider Maker

    432: Ancha Gergely’s Abaliget Garden Projects | Hungarian Cider Maker
    Nov 6 2024
    Bringing Cider to Hungary: The Story of Abaliget Garden Projects

    In this episode of Cider Chat, we learn about the southwest Hungary, where Ancha Gergely is building Abaliget Garden Projects, her small-scale cidery focused on Hungarian apples, pears, and centuries-old varieties. Ancha’s journey began in England, where she developed a love for cider. For Hungary it appears that there is little known about cider or cider making, prompting her to craft her own.

    Ancha Gergely

    With a deep passion for apples and heritage varieties, Ancha started her orchard in 2018 by grafting local and English varieties onto Hungarian rootstock. Her husband’s contribution of English cider apple graft wood expanded the orchard significantly, leading to her current collection of 600 apple and pear varieties.

    Ciders at Abaliget Orchard Projects

    Ancha crafts unique Hungarian ciders that highlight the region’s apple diversity. Some of her featured ciders include:

    • Fishti – A smoky cider aged in a Speyside whiskey barrel, offering mellow whiskey notes balanced with local apples.
    • Birs is the Hungarian work for Quince – This is a 100% quince cider with a delicate sweetness
    Abaliget Garden’s Quince Cider Back label of Birs – Quince Apple Varieties at Abaliget Garden

    Abaliget Garden includes a mix of English, Hungarian, and other European varieties. Here are a few notable apples in her collection:

    • Kanizsai – A classic Hungarian apple with a sweet profile
    • Húsvéti Rozmaring – Known for its rosemary scent, this apple can keep until Easter
    • Various Perry Pears – 20 different types from the UK, bringing unique flavor profiles for perry production
    Cider Making Techniques at Abaliget

    Ancha’s approach to cider-making combines traditional fermentation methods with her unique orchard composition, balancing Hungarian and English influences. In addition to cider, her nursery serves as a source for new Hungarian cider makers, offering heritage and cider-specific apple trees.

    Contact Info for Abaliget Garden Projects
    • Website: Abaliget Garden Projects via Facebook
    Mentions in the Cider Chat
    • Totally Cider Tours
    • EsoTerra Ciderworks – Arboretum Initiative
    • Cider Explorer review of Abaliget Garden Projects ciders and perry
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    57 mins
  • 431: Domaine Johanna Cécillon's Elegant Ciders | Brittany FR

    431: Domaine Johanna Cécillon's Elegant Ciders | Brittany FR
    Oct 30 2024

    Discovering Domaine Johanna Cécillon: A Journey of Cider, Heritage, and Terroir

    Johanna Cécillon and her husband, Louis Cécillon, have deep ties in the world of fermented drinks, and are now merging their wine heritage with cider-making in Brittany. Domaine Johanna Cécillon, near Dinan, honors family tradition and innovation through biodynamic farming methods. Established on family land from the 1800s, Johanna brings a refined approach to cider, embracing natural processes that reflect the land’s unique terroir.

    Louis and Johanna Cécillon

    Biodynamic Practices and Natural Fermentation

    At Domaine Johanna Cécillon, the orchard is certified biodynamic, preserving the ecosystem and producing exceptional quality fruit. Johanna practices natural fermentation, using no added yeasts or sulfites to allow the true flavor of each apple variety to shine. A dedication to biodynamics reflects Johanna’s commitment to safe farming practices for the entire ecosystem - people, animals, plants and the environment.

    The Ciders of Domaine Johanna Cécillon

    • Poiré – 5% A delicate pear cider, or "poiré," that combines subtle tannins with a soft, dry finish. Aged for two years, it boasts a complex minerality, capturing the terroir of Brittany with every sip.
    • Divona – 5% This cider is crafted from acid-forward apples, bringing a refreshing minerality and gentle sweetness. With a very low bitterness, Divona offers a light and dry profile that balances softness with crisp fruit notes.
    • Toutatis– 7% Aged in Saint Joseph wine barrels, Tutatis is an innovative cider with rich oak flavors that enhance its complexity. This cider features subtle hints of white wine, bringing an added layer of depth and sophistication to the apple-forward character.
    • Taranis – 8% Taranis is a blend of perry and cider and aged in Syrah barrels, offering an amber hue and distinctive, refined tannins.
    • Nerios – 5% Nerios is a tribute to the traditional cider-making heritage of Brittany. Made from heritage apple varieties, it has a robust tannic profile, warm amber color, and offers a classic, rustic flavor with layers of depth and a lingering finish.

    Contact Info for Domaine Johanna Cécillon

    Domaine Johanna Cécillon welcomes visitors by appointment to experience the ciders firsthand and enjoy a tranquil orchard tour. Purchase is available on-site, or find their ciders internationally.

    • Website: Domaine Johanna Cécillon

    Mentions in this Cider Chat

    • Totally Cider Tours
    • Support Cider Chat via Patreon on your web browser
    • 408: Cider’s Pomological Life Coach | Know Your Roots, NY - Mike Biltonen on Biodynamic Orchard Care
    • 123: The Poiré Fermier - The Perry Farmer
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    1 hr

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