This week: Cidre Bourgeois from Citizen Cider
Cost: $11.99 for a 750-ml bottle at Healthy Living Market in South Burlington
Strength: 6.2 percent abv.
The pour: Almost clear but faintly tinged with gold. There’s no head to speak of, just a few lazy bubbles bobbing around the glass. It’s barely aromatic, with just the subtlest whiffs of green apples and maybe lemon.
The taste: Light, crisp, a touch tart, drying. The label calls this “floral,” but I tasted lemon and quince, with hints of lemon curd around the edges. The finish is puckery and the texture is akin to that of an effervescent white wine such as vinho verde.
Drink it with: I thought this would go well with an aged goat cheese, but I was wrong — the heft and character of aged cheddar (in this case, Grafton Cave-Aged Clothbound Cheddar) makes this cider seem lusher and rounder. I’d also drink it with sole meunière or shrimp scampi. (Now I’m hungry).
Backstory: For this “bourgeois” quaff, the guys at Citizen Cider culled heirloom apples from New Haven’s Kent Ridge Orchards. It’s a limited release, and lower in alcohol than the rest of their ciders.
Verdict: This is much drier than the company’s flagship drink, Unified Press. With its brightness and faint effervescence, it’s very food friendly. It’s a shame Cidre Bourgeois might run out soon, though, as it would be perfect to sip on a warm, late-spring day. I’m socking a few bottles away until May.
Midweek Swig tackles a new liquid release each week. If you have suggestions for something to sample, send them to Corin at corin@sevendaysvt.com.
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