I’m blissful to evaluation my first-ever Winchester Ciderworks cider as we speak. I discovered this cider when visiting Kentucky, and the 522 Black Currant cider occurs to make use of one in every of my favourite fruits. I used to be immediately tempted by it. A few of my first great cider experiences in Norwich as a visiting pupil had been Cider and Black or Snakebite and Black, each of which add black currant focus to cider. And this weekend contained the proper quiet night to get well from gardening with a glass of Winchester Ciderworks 522 with Black Currants.
Right here’s how the web site for Winchester Ciderworks explains how this Virginia cider firm got here to be in line with the web site.
Winchester Ciderworks was born in 2012 when British transplant, Stephen Schuurman, missed the drier ciders of his homeland. His adopted nation solely produced ciders which had been far too candy for his liking, so he determined to do one thing about it.
Over the following 9 years he made ciders which gained an excellent following and distribution in a number of States, and he determined to purchase the corporate from his companions to allow the expansion and growth he desired.
His ciders are made within the fashion of his birthplace, Suffolk within the East of England. These lighter, glowing off-dry ciders had been complimented in many of the varieties with an “American twist”.
Mixing with adjuncts corresponding to Blackcurrants, Ginger, Elderberries to offer an added taste to the aged apple juice.
Our purpose is to supply high-quality ciders that can fulfill all kinds of thirsty drinkers!
Right here’s the official description for this explicit cider.
522 Black Currant 4 Pack
VA – Shenandoah Valley
A standard “Cider & Black.” Black currant juice is added after fermentation to imbue tart acidity and a delicate fruity end. The unique Rose’.
Alcohol 6.20%
Look: intense chipotle purple, sensible, no seen bubbles
I loved mulling over completely different shades of purple to determine precisely what this cider appears like within the glass as a result of the colour is so vibrant and interesting. I feel it’s the shade of powdered chipotle pepper: wealthy and purple with some gold and ember within the combine. The cider is sensible with no seen bubbles.
Aromas: Sturdy black currant, apple, cherry, minerals
The 522 wowed me even earlier than my first sip with its robust black currant and apple aromas. After I introduced my nostril nearer the glass I may additionally scent notes of Bing cherry and mineral mud.
Dryness/sweetness: Semi dry
This cider comes throughout as semi-dry in a fantastically balanced approach.
Flavors and consuming expertise: medium acidity, black currant, cranberry, delicate bitterness
The 522 Black Currant cider tastes deep and darkish, with some stunning bitterness that I like. This cider presents up medium acidity and a few papery tannins; I feel they’re from the black currants greater than the apples. This cider brings an entire vary of beautiful vibrant fruit flavors together with apple, black currant, grape, peach, and cranberry.
This cider is completely approachable and sessionable. I discover it tremendous pleasing. The extent of carbonation is medium with a juicy full physique.
I loved this cider with an extended awaited thunderstorm: the sort that you simply really feel within the air for hours earlier than the rain lastly arrives in a vertical torrent accompanied by wealthy rolls of thunder. I opened up a aspect door and simply sat on my tile kitchen ground to take heed to rain and sip the cider. What a quintessentially Summer season method to loosen up.
