2021 Anders F. Steen The Brighter Cider of Life
REGION: Ardèche, FR
SIZE: 750ml / ABV: 6.5%
The Brighter Cider of Life 2021 Cider / Alc. 6,5% The base of this cider is 100% juice of apples, the variety Red Winter. We made a quick direct press in October. This first part of the fermentation took place in fiber tanks in our little cellar in Valvignères. But the cider was fermenting very fast and already shortly after it was ready to be bottled and left to finish the fermentation in bottles in matter to create bubbles. It fermented in bottles close to six months until it was to be disgorged in April 2022. We took out and away the lees and sediments from the fermentation, but instead of topping up with the same cider, we topped up with a 2021 wine of Viognier. The Viognier improves the expression of the acidity, helps to balance the flavors of the apples, make the cider less cider-like and more vinous. We’re very happy for this decision, that gives our cider a brighter, fresher and drier expression than what you normally find in a French cider.
Former chef, once sommelier at Noma, Anders started making wine in 2013 alongside legendary Jura winemaker, Jean-Marc Brignot. Now settled in the village of Valvignères in the Ardèche, his wines are truly unique and highly sought-after across the world. Grapes and only grapes, no adds, no sulphur. Tiny quantities.