A Flowery Song

Background: This apple wine is made by Wölffer from apples grown by the Halseys of White Cap Farm in Watermill, New York. The wine is fermented with Côte des Blancs yeast, a strain known for preserving fruit flavour and aroma, and contains the following apple varieties: 20% Braeburn, 20% Gold Rush, 20% Pink Lady, 20% Fuji, 9% Ida Red, 6% Jonagold, and 5% Mutsu.

Nose: Fresh, crisp apples and hints of yeast.

Taste: Lightly sweet, mild acidity and good apple flavour. Creamy yeast notes.

Overall: Clean, refreshing wine with enough acidity to cleanse the palate after robust foods like bacon and blue cheese.

Background: Brewed by HomeBrewTalk member ScubaSteve, received as part of the 08/08/08 RIS swap. Based on EdWort's Apfelwein with honey added.

Appearance: Golden yellow, a slight haze.

Nose: Apples and alcohol.

Taste: Funky, apple-y, and dry. Some rubber and yeast notes.

Mouthfeel: Dry, some hot alcohol.

Overall: Definitely could do with some age (whoops, my bad). Though I try not to get tetchy about such things it's also way out of style for an apfelwein, being carbonated and much too strong.

Background: Blend of Jonathon, Spy, Ida Red, Jonathon Gold, and Golden Delicious

Presentation: Clear bottle. Pours a clear, light golden yellow. 12% ABV

Nose: Apple and earth, with light citrus notes.

Taste: Crisp apple flavour on a lightly earthy background is reminiscent of autumn. Slightly sweet, with a long apple-y finish.

Overall: Very nice; not too sweet, well balanced with a clean flavour.

Background: Produced at Black Star Farms in (surprise, surprise) Leelanau County in northern Michigan. Apple wine, fortified with aged apple brandy and sweetened with maple syrup.

Presentation: Tall, 375 mL clear glass bottle. Spirit-style cork, rather than the typical wine cork. 16% ABV, pours a medium tan.

Nose: Apples and maple syrup. Hint of raisins and…tar?

Taste: Nice flavour profile. Nutty maple syrup with a background of apples. Definite raisin notes in the middle and a short, caramel finish. A bit too sweet.

Overall: Drinkable. Slightly unbalanced, but might be nice with soft to semi-hard savoury cheeses. I wouldn't pair it with anything sweet.

Background: Apfelwein is the German form of cider. Possmann makes a couple different apfelweins; this particular one is spiced, sweetened and intended to be served hot.

Presentation: 1 liter brown glass bottle with a screwtop.

Appearance: Pours very clear; light amber colour.

Nose: Apples and cinnamon with citrus (lemon?) notes.

Taste: Fairly sweet, with a light apple pie flavour. Definite lemon undertones. Long cinnamon finish, with some “earthy” tones.

Overall: Clean, simple taste; very nice in a warm mug on a cold winter night.