The sole usage of McIntosh is a bit unusual in cider making as it’s not tart enough, although at this ABV it’s probably to enhance the sweetness & the powerful aromatics of the apple. On the other hand, it’s quite informative because it allows to focus on the profile of a specific variety by magnifying all its subtleties.
“… it can be appreciated without restraint or guilt…”
Crémant de Pomme
Brewed by: Cidrerie du Minot
Type: Sparkling Cider - Monovarietal
Region: Hemmingford, Quebec, Canada
ABV: 2.5%
Apples: McIntosh
Appearance: 8.5/10
The beverage comes in a transparent bottle which is something I’m not very fond of. Although ciders don’t get light-struck as much as hoppy beer, there are still chances that light could affect the taste & bouquet, if left for too long in sun rays. On a brighter side, the label is quite informative & there was a nice little cap covering the muzzle, which is appreciated in order to help prevent the lip from being exposed to the environment. The cider showcase plenty of medium bubbles rapidly forming an ephemeral white head. The robe is deep straw with a hint of bright pale green. The natural effervescence lingers until the end and provides a fresh & crisp mouthfeel to a rather sweet liquid. The only major downside to the visual experience was the clear bottle, otherwise everything else was appealing to me.
Nose: 10/15
The bouquet was quite simple which is to be expected since it’s a monovarietal cider. Freshly crushed apples are the first thing that comes to mind with a hint of cooked apples. There is also a very juicy wine character emanating from the glass. Given the low ABV & the use of only McIntosh, I can’t expect to have a marvellous complexity but rather a simple & honest product. This is what was offered since no off flavours were detected, however, nothing amazed me about it.
Mouth: 10/15
The first thing that hits is the nice foam forming on the tongue delivering a vigorous sensation of freshness. Then there’s the fruity sweetness balanced by a hint of acidity. The aromas are again quite straightforward with notes of juicy & crisp apples that you eat as you meander in an orchard. A mild & pleasant yeast flavour similar to bread makes it way through as the cider warms up. The verdict is the same here, easy to drink but not a remarkable experience as it lacks a certain depth.
Finish: 7/10
The finish lingers for a few seconds with a crisp apple flavour & a mild sweetness that never becomes cloying. The yeast aroma slowly takes more space and balances out the fruitiness leaving you thirsty for more of that refreshing cider.
Overall: 71/100
The verdict has been clear since the first whiff, this is not something to linger on & to analyze for long minutes. An easy to drink sparkling cider at 2.5% ABV that can be appreciated without restraint or guilt, perfect for brunch or in a mellow fall cocktail. Serving it with some vanilla ice cream & sprinkled cinnamon is also a wonderful treat. The dominant flavour here is clearly fresh apples, although some yeast appears on the palate giving a slight complexity to it all.
3-word Description:
Apple, Sweet & Simple.
The Reference
More information @duminot.com
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