Cider

Question 1

What is a traditional cider made from?

Answer 1

100% fermented apple juice

Question 2

what are the 3 main ingredients of traditional cider?

Answer 2

1. apples
2. yeast
3. sugar

Question 3

what kinds of apples are used to make cider?

Answer 3

tart and bittersweet apples, some with lots of tannin - not the ones you’d find at a grocery store or market

Question 4

in what kind of climate is cider generally made

Answer 4

cool climates – usually so cold the climate cannot support grape growing

Question 5

can a cider maker use selected yeast strains to make cider or are all ciders always made with indigenous yeast?

Answer 5

Cidermakers can absolutely use selected, or commercial, yeast strains to make cider.
Selected yeast produce reliable results while indigenous yeasts are more difficult to manager; indigenous yeasts also lend funky aromas and flavors

Question 6

if apples already have natural sugar in them, why would a cider maker add sugar to the juice before fermentation?

Answer 6

• increase final alcohol content

- balance tartness + bitterness

Question 7

what are the steps in making cider?

Answer 7

the fruit is:

1. crushed
2. pressed
3. yeast + sugar added
4. fermented
5. filtered if being done
6. rest
7. botteld

Question 8

what is the abv range of traditional cider?

Answer 8

5-8% abv

Question 9

what are the fermentation vessels typically used to make cider?

Answer 9

1. large, neutral wooden vats

2. stainless steel tanks

Question 10

what are the 2 overarching styles of cider?

Answer 10

1. new world

2. old world/ European

Question 11

in an old world / European style of cider, what do you expect it to reflect?

Answer 11

the place from which it comes, highlighting the:

• soil
• climate
• style of that region (sparkling, still, stinky, etc.)

Question 12

what sorts of cider do you see in New World styles?

Answer 12

A veritable rainbow of styles:

• sweet
• dry
• sparkling
• still
• added fruits and flavors

Question 13

how is a sparkling cider made?

Answer 13

2 ways:

1. it can be force-carbonated, like soda pop
2. it can go through secondary fermentation

Question 14

if a sparkling cider is made by it going through secondary fermentation, where can that secondary fermentation happen?

Answer 14

• in tank, like prosecco

- in the bottle, like champagne or crémant

Question 15

name some old world/ European countries + regions where cider is made

Answer 15

1. southwest England
2. France - in Normandy and Brittany
3. Spain - In Basque Country and Asturias
4. Germany
5. Austria

Question 16

Where in North America is cider made?

Answer 16

1. Canada - in Québec
2. New England
3. New York State - in Finger lakes and Hudson Valley
4. Virginia
5. Great Lakes region (WI, MI)
6. California - in Sonoma County
7. Pacific Norhtwest (OR, WA)