Fermented Splendor

SEASONAL SIPS: Falling for Hard Cider

CIDER HAS A STORIED PAST and a delicious present. The Romans discovered it when they invaded the British Isles, and it was the drink of choice of early Americans when they had no grains or barley to brew beer— but plenty of apples.

By Bill Lindsey

J.K.’s Scrumpy

Hard Cider, Michigan, $8.99

Made from apples grown in a Michigan orchard owned by the same family for over 150 years, J.K.’s ciders are USDA Organic and gluten-, sulphate-, and sorbate-free. No two batches of this estatebottled cider will be exactly the same.

Bordatto Etxaldea

Basa Jaun 2015, Basque Country, $20

A blend of 19 organic heirloom apple varieties found near the Pyrenees

Mountains, this is a naturally sparkling, slightly acidic, hearty cider. Named for a legendary

Basque wild man, it completes fermentation in the bottle. Best when aged several years.

Urban Tree

Vintage Gala, Georg ia, $17

Like many of their offerings, Atlanta-based Urban

Tree’s Vintage Gala is a prizewinner in international wine and cider competitions.

This bottle isn’t always available, but is well worth the wait for its delicate hint of toasted vanilla flavor.

Samuel Smith

Organic Cider, UK, $10.95

The British Isles are often credited for creating cider, and this offering from Samuel Smith proves it was a great idea. This medium-dry, light-bodied cider from the oldest brewery in Yorkshire is quite literally history in a bottle.

2 Towns Cider

BrightCider, Oregon and Washington State, $5.39

Newtown Pippin apples, one of the country’s oldest varieties, provide a unique flavor found only in American ciders, making them an ideal choice for this Oregon-based producer. With a dry, not overly sweet flavor and light coloring, BrightCider pairs well with fish, pork, and salads.