Saint Nicholas Ciders & Cyser

 

     Our Saint Nicholas of Myra (c.270-343 AD) Ciders and one cyser, Ephphatha Cyser, were made from blending pressings of more than 28 different apple varieties, nearly all of which are North American or European heirlooms and/or cider apples.  Our cyser is made with organic* honey from our own bees.  

     Our three kinds of Saint Nicholas Cider are: Felicity, Perpetua, and Tabitha.  Each has different amounts of tannins, sugars, acids (tartness), and effervescence.   Each has a related but discernibly different flavor.  Each is available as a sparkling beverage, while Tabitha also comes in a still version.

       All of our ciders are delicious and pair well with salty or spicy foods such as Dragon’s Breath Chili;** some stir frys & Asian noodle salads with black or apple cider vinegar and sesame oil; strong cheeses (such as Gorgonzola or Stilton); or dishes with creamy sauces (try shiitake and portobello mushrooms over Sfoglini Porcini pasta, in a good Alfredo sauce**).  They are also delicious on their own, on a hot summer day, during holiday gatherings, and throughout the year.  Our cider/apple wine is a great addition at Thanksgiving or any holiday or gatherings where gluten-free wines with lower alcohol content is desired.

  

Felicity (c. 182-203 AD)

Sparkling Cider/Apple Wine

ABV 8.08%

         Felicity is light and bubbly and is the most effervescent of our ciders.  It is a semi-dry wine, the least alcoholic, and least tannic of our Saint Nicholas Ciders.  (For those unfamiliar with apple wine or cider, it is not as sweet as apple juice.)   But for any who want a lighter wine, Felicity might be your best choice.  It was made from over 12 heirloom apple varieties.

 

Perpetua (c. 182-203 AD)

Sparkling Cider/Apple Wine

ABV 8.67%

          Perpetua had strong apple aromas and tart apple flavors, was moderately tannic and fairly effervescent.  It was made from 10 heirloom apple varieties and 2 modern ones.  It was quite popular and recently sold out.

 

Tabitha (first century AD)

Sparkling & Still Cider/Apple Wine

ABV 9.72%

         Tabitha has strong apple aromas, is the most tannic and driest of our Saint Nicholas Ciders.  For wine lovers, it is the most elegant of our ciders.  It was made from 19 heirloom and 1 modern apple varieties, and comes in a sparkling and still version.  The still version is easy to compare to white grape wines to appreciate general differences between grape and apple wines.  Tabitha's still and sparkling versions also make it easy to compare still and sparkling versions of the same cider. 

 

          We recommend Ephphatha Cyser as an aperitif, digestif, in a cocktail, or at other times as you might use a dry Sauternes, port, sherry or liqueur.  It is more viscous than our ciders, being more like an ice cider in consistency for any who have had them.  But it is dry rather than sweet, and seems to be getting smoother and rounder with age.  We have heard reliable sources claim that mead takes at least 6-8 years to mature.  Apples for this cyser were harvested in the falls of 2015-17, so we think it is well on its way to maturity; but also believe it can be kept for a year or more to its advantage.  It is very aromatic and is a clear, golden-orange/amber color with 12.72% ABV.  Unfortunately, we are sold out of this cyser but include its description here to presage other cysers that will be released in future years.

 

*Organic honey is a problematic term since it depends on knowing where a honey bee forages for nectar and food and she may forage several miles from her home.  But honey bees are very efficient feeders and will always gather food closer to their colonies than further away, as long as there is good food near their homes.  We do our best to make sure, throughout our woodlands, orchards and elsewhere, that there is.  

**Ask us for recipes or more information.

NB:  Please note that there is a 10% discount by case (12 bottles), and that all prices include a mandatory 9% State wine tax.