Do you like apples or pears?  There are many cider makers in BC that will convert those fruits into tasty drinks for you to enjoy year-round.  They tend to be lighter-bodied than many wines, lower in alcohol and come in 500ml bottles, which makes it possible to enjoy by yourself in one session.  You can drive to several cideries in BC’s Bottleneck Drive around Summerland.  I received a few bottles of cider from the cideries on Bottleneck Drive.  I’d like to share my tasting notes with you and invite you to give them a try. 

I did not provide any food pairing notes for each cider but here are a few general suggestions:

• Grilled pork chops: The sweetness and smokiness of the pork complements traditional ciders
• Hard cheeses: Hard, aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and parmesan. 
• Charcuterie: The salty and savoury flavours of the cured meat complement the crisp and fruity flavours of cider
• Oysters on the half shell: The saltiness of the oyster complements the crisp and fruity flavours of cider
• Creamy sauces: Cider can cut through rich, creamy sauces, especially any that have chicken or fish through them
• Butternut squash soup: An off-dry, medium-bodied cider complements the earthy sweetness and luscious texture of butternut squash soup

Nomad Ciders

Nomad Traditional Dry Cider

Nomad Traditional Dry apple cider (500ml) is made with European cider apple varieties. It has a medium-plus intensity clear apricot colour and light carbonation. Medium-plus intensity aromas of sweet yellow apples and a touch of vanilla. It is slightly off-dry with lighter body, and a lean mouthfeel. Golden delicious apple flavour, a hint of vanilla and light apple skin tannins. Medium-sized creamy bubbles. It does not have strong bitterness or tannins like British ciders, which makes it easier for many people to enjoy. A medium length, finishing dry with light tannins.

A nice sip. Recommended. $9.50 You can purchase this cider through the Nomad Cider website and at Everything Wine stores.

Nomad Geneva Cider

I checked online and read that Geneva is a type of crab apple that originated in Ottawa, Ontario in 1930.

This cider has a deeper, clear red peach skin colour. Medium-sized bubbles when you pour the cider. It has light crabapple scent with a touch of rhubarb. It is medium-bodied and semi-sweet. The cider gets a little sweeter toward the finish. Medium-sized biting and creamy bubbles. There is a mix of sweet and tart red apple flavours, plus a touch of apple skin and apple skin tannins. I also picked up a hint of floral or raspberries on the palate. Fuller-bodied, medium length with a light crab apple tart flavour on the finish. Also light tannins. A refreshing cider that is not too sweet. The tartness balances it out so it is just right.

You can buy this cider via the Nomad website for $9.50.

Nomad Pear Cider

I’m completing my trifecta of BC’s Nomad cider with their Pear cider. It has a lighter clear straw colour with larger bubbles in the glass. Light aromas of pears. The pear flavour is bright and intense and it meshes the the medium-plus sweetness of this cider. I also pick up some pear skin on the palate. The bubbles give you a creamy mouthfeel. It is fuller-bodied with a medium-plus length and an off-dry finish.

The cider is a bit sweeter than I prefer, but if you don’t mind some sweetness, give this cider a try.

You can order this cider online at the Nomad website for $9.50 and at Everything Wine stores for $11.98.

Millionaires’ Row Ciders

Millionaires Row Cider is a highly-rated craft cidery offering a range of unique and delicious ciders made from estate-grown apples. I received two bottles of their ciders to review for you. Both ciders are 7.5% alc, so sip responsibly.

Their Millionaires’ Row High n’ Dry cider is made with a mix of heritage and dessert apples. It has a pale lemon colour. Copious medium-minus sized bubbles in the glass. Medium-plus intensity aromas of pears (that fades), sweet tree fruits, but then later sweet spice and apples. It has a medium body with high acidity and larger biting bubbles. Crisp apples plus red delicious apple flavour and a hint of floral. Medium-minus length with some bitter apple skin on the finish. A lean mouthfeel.

The other cider is the Millionaires’ Row Modern Miracle. It is made with their finest orchard-ripened apples. It has a small amount of fine bubbles in the glass. A light straw colour. Light apples and a touch of sweet spices on the nose. Dry, medium body and roundness on the palate. Small creamy bubbles. Crisp apple flavour. Medium length with some tartness and apple skin on the finish. Quality.

You can purchase both ciders from the Millionaires’ Row website, as well at many retailers throughout the Okanagan, web link here.  Select Save on Foods stores in the lower mainland also carry these ciders.

Summerland Heritage Ciders

My two ciders today are from BC’s Summerland Heritage Cider. I received their Strubarb and Margarita Gose to taste and review. Both are tasty sips. The Strubarb does not mention co-fermentation or aging on other fruits, but there definitely are strawberry and rhubarb tones to this cider. It is a medium-intensity cloudy pumpkin colour. Medium-minus nose with apple and peach aromas to start, but strawberries become prominent with air. High acidity with medium biting bubbles. Full body with thick mouthfeel. Apple and apple skin with strawberries with some air becoming prominent and then add in rhubarb with more time in the glass. Medium-length. Very enjoyable.

The other cider is the Margarita Gose, made with Bittersharp and dessert apples aged on lemon, verbena, and lime zest plus a dash of salt. It didn’t remind me of a margarita, but was very tasty. It was quite bubbly with lots visible on the glass. A lighter orange colour, but very clear. Lime, spiced apple and purple floral on the nose. Nice aromas. Full body, high acidity and larger bubbles. Floral (lilac + lavender), lemon, lime zest and apples on the palate. Medium length. Light-drying tannins. 

You can purchase these ciders at the Summerland Heritage Cider website. 

Dominion Cider

I tried their Dominion Magic Hour, wild fermented with early season apples, blended with French Bittersweet and crab apples. A quality cider. Dried apple and a touch of sweet spice on the nose. Medium-plus body, dry with rich dried apple and apple skin flavours. Medium-drying tannins and some bitterness on the finish.

If you like a blended cider, I tried the Dominion Pretty to Think So. Made with apple cider aged on uncrushed raspberries. It has lots of floral raspberry aromas and flavours. Stronger acidity and biting and creamy bubble on your tongue. Full mouthfeel. Medium drying tannins.

You can purchase these ciders from the Dominion Cider website. 

Thank you to all these cideries for providing me with samples to review.

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