Traditional Cider reviews are dedicated to the ciders that are made with 100% apples.
Cidery: Sonoma Beverage Works (Healdsburg, CA) Cider: Dry Zider Serving: 22oz singles Style: Traditional Cider Availability: Year-round
In the past I had the opportunity to try Sonoma’s other organic ciders – The Hatchet, The Pitchfork, and The Anvil – before craft ciders became the business they are today. I was impressed by those ciders so I was intrigued when I saw the Dry Zider at one of my local Whole Foods. (When I went back for more, sadly my other local Whole Foods didn’t carry it).
Each cider is hand wrapped & numbered – we received number 403. I was surprised when I poured the cider and it came out as a wonderful ruby color. Sonoma’s organic cider is aged for several months in spent American oak barrels that were used for aging zinfandel. This aging results in a cider that has a flavor profile very similar to a rosé, but not like a White Zinfandel. The Dry Zider has the characteristic berry aromas and flavors found in zinfandel coupled with a clean, dry and slightly tart apple flavor from the cider. We have tried a lot of barrel aged ciders and Sonoma has truly found the right balance in the Dry Zider.
Tasting Notes
Ruby color with a foamy head with foam that lingers a bit after being poured. The cider’s aromas are a mix of cherry, blackberries and crisp apples and the flavor is similar with the apple slightly more predominant than the berry flavors. The cider has a slight acidic, but pleasant, finish.
Wine Lovers — Why Drink It?
Rosé lovers will truly enjoy this wine. Zinfandel typically hasfull-bodied flavors and aromas of berries, however this cider nicely balances those notes and produces a pleasing rosé cider which would pair nicely with Thanksgiving dinner.
