Cidre Bouché Brut Cidor (4% ABV, 750ml). Made from 100% apples from Normandy, this sparkling cider is a product of CSR SA; they also make fine wines, apparently.
Clear, bright yellow golden colour, with a head for about 3 seconds. Green apples, some vinegar and yeast in the nose. ee hint of honey in the background. Light body, lively carbonation. Green apples, sour lemon, and clear mineral notes dominate at first, then a mild sweetness creeps in, momentarily. Finish has moderate tannins, sulphur against some faint apple sweetness, the aftertaste tannic bitterness, fading lemon, yeast, before some mild final sweetness.
The mineral notes, or, as the French might say, "terroir", IMHO are an essential difference between this and English ciders. It's a refreshing drink with some depth to it, and in spite of the intermittent sweet "echoes" is predominantly sour and dry. 7/10.
Reviewed on 24 Oct 2023
