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 cidermaker 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 yeasts produce reliable results while indigenous yeasts are more difficult to manage; indigenous yeasts also lend funky aromas and flavors.

Question 6

If apples already have natural sugar in them, why would a cidermaker 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. Bottled

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. England: Southwest
2. France: Normandy, Brittany
3. Spain: Basque Country, Asturias
4. Germany, 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 Northwest (OR, WA)