Leon Desfrieches et Fils Le Pere Jules Cidre Pays d'Auge Brut (Apple Cider 750ml)

The Australian market for cider is dominated by two brands, both owned and produced by the one brewery. Given the commercial, mass produced nature of these 'big two' it's easy to underestimate cider and write it off as 'innocuous swill.' All that is changing as quality European examples are beginning to reach our shores. Few realise what a wonderful history cider has had in many European cultures. Texts mention events such as Louis XI's ban on the production of beer, in order to use the barley to ease a famine stricken population. Farmers subsequently looked for alternative palliatives, and so a passion for cider was born. The Normans popularised cider after their conquest of England in 1066, and Spaniard Guillaume Dusus brought new apple varieties to Normandy in the 16th Century. With him, improvements in fermentation techniques lead to better quality cider. Later, in an effort to curb the dominance of imported brandy, cider was distilled, transforming into the divine spirit we know as Calvados! (Apple Brandy).

European cider distinguishes those producers at the high end of the passion scale (Bress is one exception in Australia). We're delighted to introduce the ciders of Leon Despiches et Fils. Wonderful expressions of cider from Saint Desir, just outside Lisieux in the heart of Pays d'Auge, the most sought after Appellation in Calvados.

Food matches: Norman gastronomes have long known cider works brilliantly with a surprising variety of dishes. Consider the classic match of roast pork with crackling and apple sauce, braised pork or rabbit deglazed with cider or roast duck served with red cabbage and apples. Goats cheeses, especially chevre styles work particularly well with cider (a great Australian example is Holy Goat, not easy to find, but slowly making its way into Melbourne delicatessens). Slightly sweeter styles of cider, such as those produced from pears will accompany desserts like apple pie, tarte tartin, or quince flavoured ice cream.

Tasting note: Slightly cloudy, gold ochre colour with pale straw hue. Attractive nose of granny smith apple with subtle traces of nutmeg and clove in the background. The palate is riper than the nose with flavours of crisp Johnathan apple, spice and a touch of apple crumble. Johnathan apple continues into the aftertaste followed by a fresh and drying apple pie finish. Clean acid throughout makes for an extremely refreshing drink but don't over chill - this one gets better as it warms up. 5.0% Alc./Vol.