Time to write up some more liquid refreshment that has been sent to me for my comment by the producers. This time, we have some ciders from France.
This is a line from Aval Cider, headquartered in Ergué-Gabéric, in the northwestern French peninsula of Bretagne (Brittany). It operates as a cooperative of over 300 producers to preserve the variety and biodiversity of the apples going into the cider.
Their “Beer Fairy” drop to me was four cans of three ciders. Its main purpose was to promote a new “Blanc” cider. They say “we use high-acid, high-sweetness apples to create a clean, approachable, modern take on traditional French cider.” So, let’s start with this one.
Aval Blanc Cider, 6.0% abv
A light gold color when pours, some soda pop fizziness that become a light stream of bubbles. The nose is very light, but a bit of, actually, apple juice sweetness. Light cider taste, balanced with a note of pear, and a buttery mouthfeel. I can go for this as an everyday cider.
[clear]
Aval Gold, 6.0%
The description is simply that they use “bitter and bittersweet apples,” with high tannins to add to its bitterness.
It’s been a few weeks since I had the Blanc, but If memory serves, the pour is a little darker than the previous Aval: a bit more amber to it. There’s the usual fizz that goes away immediately. The smell has a bit of green apple tartness. Taste is similarly more tart. Not extra sour, but balanced by sweet apple juice. Not easy to just swig down; invites contemplation.
[clear]
Aval Rosé, 6.0%
“We use a blend of mostly acidic apples including Baya Marisa (red fleshed apple) to make a refreshing rose with a beautiful natural pink hue. Its low tannins give it a light yet sharp palate that is at home in everything from stemware to solo cups. Perky and clever: the one who has a sweet face backed by really sharp wit.”
This one is pretty obviously pink in the pour. The usual fizzy, short-lived head. It’s smell is nicely like a flavored red wine. But the taste is still pretty tart, more of a tart apple than a dry red wine. Then a bit of dry red wine comes into the picture. Looks like I’ve managed all three Aval and found them each different, simply from the choice of apples in each one.
