Leon Desfrieches et Fils Le Pere Jules Poire (Pear 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, butslowly 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: This cider pours a slightly cloudy, pale golden colour with pale apricot tinge and hue. Modest bead, which dissipates quickly. Very gentle, fine carbonation persists. Delicate, sweet nose of very ripe pear, cinammon over a faintly floral background. The palate is slightly 'spritzy' and a tad drier than the nose indicates, delivering delicate flavours of very ripe pear and sweet spice. Hints of pear tea cake emerge towards the back palate, before the bubbles and acidity cleanse the palate. Very light, soft finish. Delightful - if brief aftertaste of sweet, ripe pear and spice. A wonderful alternative to sweet styles of Moscato! 4.0% Alc./Vol.