Maker: Val de Race Cooperative, Pleudihen sur Rance, Brittany, France
Place of origin: 90% Brittany, 10% Normandy
Apples: 90% bittersweet, 10% bitter
Style: Semi-dry apple cider
ABV: 5%
Purchased for $9/750 ml (Vine & Table, Carmel, Indiana)
Appearance: Light amber
Nose: Apple juice, leather, cut tart apple.
Palate: Effervescent and lightly sweet. Medium tannins, very little acid, no funk.
Finish: More tannin and a little sweetness.
Parting words: I picked this French cider up on one of my trips to Indianapolis. It’s solid, easy drinking and accessible. It has more depth than cheaper French ciders but isn’t going to knock you over with funk and tannin either. It works best as a table cider or an afternoon sipper. The price is pretty good for what it is, but I’d like it even better for a dollar or two less. Domaine du Verger Brut is recommended.
Sipology 