West Avenue – Rhineapple

Cider Profile:

Name: West Avenue – Rhineapple
Sampled November 2021

Brand: West Avenue Cider House Type: Apple – Wine blend Location of Brewing: Freelton, ON ABV: 9.2% Website Link: www.westavenue.ca Ingredients: N/A (65% Cider, 35% Riesling grapes) Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available: 750ml (bottle) Availability: West Avenue Retail and Online Store Flavour: Cider/Wine Blend Colour:  Transparent golden-yellow Carbonation: Appears still, some bubbles on-ice

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Cider Crate Tasting Notes:

Smell: Strong aroma. Acidic and acetic. Bruised apples with riesling astringency. 
Initial Taste: Light bite from some carbonation.  Strong riesling/white wine presence first. Bitterness, acidity and acetic notes that are bold. Bruised apple undertones. Early season pineapple notes and acidity.
After Taste: Becomes more apple-like in aftertaste. Softness and brightness from the Northern Spy apples in particular. Also some tang and acidity from apples. Ends very dry, slightly coating the mouth.
On ice: Thinner and less wine-line

Additional Notes:  West Avenue’s Rhineapple is a Riesling grapes (35%) and heritage apple (65%) blend that is more wine focused, at least upfront.  Spy heritage apples become more present and help mute the astringency that appears initially. Tastes lighter than its 9.2%. Treat this as an apple wine due to its strength and boldness, not a typical cider, nor is it particularly sessionable.

Rated on a scale of 1-5
Sweet – 1.5
Sour – 3
Crisp – 2
Dry – 4.5
Fruity – 2.5

Next recommendations:
More Sweet – Kings Mill – Feral Ice
More Sour – FieldBird – Inky Rabbits Petillant
More Dry – Grange of Prince Edward – Farmhouse Cider
More Crisp – Niagara – Peach Chardonnay 

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