It’s active, the first pour topped by a heady lather that subsides into a busy bead. The fragrance is earthy, savory, and sharp-fruited, mingling tart apple skin with sous bois. It also has a distinct mineral note, like graphite or wet clay, that’s absent from many ciders. The palate is likewise savory, the body animated by a lively mousse that carries flavors of roasted chestnuts and bittersweet apple.
More rich than cleansing, it’s a cider to serve with well-aged cheeses (think three-year Gouda), cured meats, meat pasties, and savory vegetable or mushroom dishes: phyllo, strudel, pie.
Kite & String Geneva Russet Cider
8.4% abv | $18 (750 ml.)