Real Fine Zyder!

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Real Fine Zyder!

From: Mark
Category: Drink & Food
Date: 14/08/2007
Time: 16:05:59
Remote Name: 82.153.252.37

Comments

Surely Cider is more likely to 'rot your socks' than to toast the bride and groom? Well cider certainly has had a bad press over the years. Yes, the rough, cloudy stuff is still made but it is not cider that rots the socks but, historically, it was the lead in it. Back in the days of yore (well the 17th and 18th centuries actually) it was common practice in Devon to make cider in lead-lined vats - or in particularly 'lean' years dropping lead weights (musket balls, fishing tackle) into the fermenting liquor to take the rough edges off the acidity. This was quite common in some northerly (chilly) wine-making regions in the France and Germany. The result was lead poisoning - or Devon Colic'. Side-effects ran from stomach gripes, vomiting, dropsy, blindness, dementia, paralysis and sometimes death. You'll be glad to hear that since then practices have seen substantially change and not only is cider a great source of vitamin C but a pint of cider will also give you about one-fifth the RDA of iron therefore keeping anaemia at bay! Your could even say (alcohol aside) that it is a healthy tonic! Today the very best ciders are arguably the fine sparkling creations that have been double-fermented (once in barrel then once in bottle) just like Champagne. Whilst the flavours may be different the refined, elegant, dry, apple-scented creations can easily stand alongside sparkling wine made from the more ubiquitous grape. The best the three counties can offer are as follows: Burrow Hill Cider from a 150 acres orchard of the same team that makes Somerset Cider Brandy. Pass Vale Farm, Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi, Martock TA12 5BU. Tel: 01460 240782. www.ciderbrandy.co.uk Bollhayes Cider is located in Mid-Devon and nestled at the foot of the Blackdown Hills. Production is limited to around 1500 gallons per year and a small amount of characterful, dry sparkling is crafted. Bollhayes Park, Clayhidon, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3PN Tel 01823 680230 Ashridge. At the very pinnacle of sparkling finesse is the bottle-fermented cider from Ashridge. Very classy and elegant, every bit as good as some Champagnes but without the head-thumping alcohol of some. They also do a full-sparking 'blush' fizz that, with the addition of blackberry juice, makes a super alternative to Kir Royale. Ashridge is taking sparkling cider to a whole new level. www.ashridgecider.com If you are looking for something that is a dead-ringer for Normandy or Brittany cidre bouché then sample some St Cuby's from Cornwall. This is the real deal from a Duchy Farm. Artisan made with the helpful input of a French winemaker....but with Cornish apples and Cornish soul. Cracking, complex stuff. Westnorth Manor Farm, Duloe, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 4PW t: 01503 269007 f: 01503 263373. www.cornishorchards.co.uk In the same vein as the sparkling Brittany ciders is the gentle sparkler from Yarde in South Devon. These are, if anything, imitating their more famous French cousins but improving upon their perfection. RealDrink Ltd, Yarde Farm, Stoke Gabriel, Devon TQ9 6SJ. www.realdrink.org