Cold Creek – Piccolina (2020)

Cider Profile:

Name: Cold Creek – Piccolina (2020)
Sampled February 2022

Cider Crate Tasting Notes:

Smell: Strong aroma. Cellar/musty notes. Rustic but bright apples, semi-sweet.
Initial Taste: Mild bite from carbonation, slightly tingly. Smooth, semi-sweet and soft apples. Caramelization and juice. Deep oak undertones with pineapple-like notes.
After Taste: Becomes smoother once carbonation dwindles. Even juicier apple notes coming through at this point – peel and flesh. Mild tannins and grit. Medium sweet, lingering finish.
On ice: Carbonation reduced. Slightly less sweet, thinner body.

Additional Notes:  Cold Creek’s Piccolina (2020) is a sweeter offering and in our opinion, Cold Creek’s sweetest option. Inspired by the Italian cider-making tradition, to be a ‘cedro’. While it smells rather cellared, these notes are mild and only slightly appear in taste. This is a bright cider, naturally sweet tasting throughout (but far from a commercial, or over-sweet cider). You get unique pineapple notes upfront, and it becomes even more apple juice-like in the finish – crisp, slightly tannic and a light acidity. A tingly carbonation and a medium body make this incredibly approachable. Feels and tastes light – a much lighter ABV than it is, as if there is no alcoholic elements (but it is 5.5%).

Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 3.5
Sour – 2
Crisp – 3.5
Dry – 2
Fruity – 4

Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Shale Ridge – Semi-Sweet Cider
More Sour – FieldBird – Northern Spy (2018)
More Dry – Ironwood – Session Cider
More Crisp – Thornbury – Clarke’s Reserve Harvest Cider (2020)

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