Review of Vohu Vein AS Scandi Cider’s Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider, from Estonia (in Northern Europe, on the Baltic Sea).  I’ve also tried the regular version of this cider (see here).

Cider:  Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider
Cidery:  Vohu Vein AS Scandi Cider
Cidery Location:  Vohu village, Estonia, in the south Baltic Sea shore
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  12.7oz corked and caged champagne bottles (I believe a 4 pack, but it was split up)
Style:  Norman-style cider made with Baltic apple varieties in Estonia

  

Availability:  semi wide release

Cider Description:  What makes Scandinavian cider a unique one?  Special North Europe apples blend. Three basic elements create a structure for cider – acid, tannin, and sweetness. We use our specific mix of Baltic varieties of apples, including (but not limited to) – Tellisaare “,” Alwa “,” Suislepp “,” Liivi Kuldrenett “,” Krugeri tuvioun “,” Talvenauding “, and this gives a unique combination of acid, tannin, and sweetness. The cider professionals came to conclusion that the apples for the production of the specific type of cider must grow precisely in the climate and on the soil where cider will be produced.

Cidery Description:  Vohu winery, the producer of Scandinavian Cider, was built in 1967 in Laane-Virumaa county, Vohu village, Estonia, located in the south Baltic Sea shore. Variety of apples grown on the Baltic Sea shores, added to the Nordic traditions of cider producing, make Nordic ciders unique. Almost 50 years of experience gained by Vohu winery makes sure that the Scandinavian cider is consistent with both traditional recipes and modern requirements of the European Union.

In the years of Soviet power in the USSR in the small village Vohu Vein plant for the production of fruit wines he became plant-millionaire. The plant is surrounded by apple orchards with special cider varieties. Its territory is flowing river, full of trout plant endlessly supplying spring water two wells are located here. Guests visiting the factory, admire everything. And especially – competently planned and extremely streamlined production process that combines humane technology of the 18th century with modern technology. The proportion of manual labor takes exactly as long as necessary to “Sunny wine” was alive. “Chip” of the plant – is automatic line, which is the product of blending gravity separation in the filter room and more – up to the bottling line. In the cellars of the plant throughout the year to maintain the same temperature.

In the production of apple cider recipe uses a traditional Norman cider from special varieties of pears, too, is made according to old recipes of the north. Bottles of sparkling cider Scandinavian with the smell of yellow apples, green grapes and golden honey in sodas, decorated modestly in northern reserved. Juicy pear cider spicy taste reminiscent of nutmeg, but softened by a sweet creamy mousse through which emerges a weak note of lemon peel. We hope that the rich taste of apple and pear cider will satisfy the Americans.

Price:  $4.99 (this has greatly increased in price since I bought a four pack of the original variety for $9.99; however, my local Whole Foods now only sells single bottles for $4.99)
Where Bought:  Whole Foods
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I had previously tried the regular version of this cider, and although I’m not usually a green apple cider fan, I thought I’d give it a try.

First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue with a hint of pink.  Very high carbonation.  Smells fairly strongly, of green apples and citrus, sweet and fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry to dry (quite different from how sweet it smelled).  Light bodied with a frothy sparkling texture.  Moderate tartness.  High acidity.  Hints of bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of green apples (but not Jolly Rancher), citrus (primarily lemon), pineapple, and mineral.  Quick finish.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  Good, but not overly memorable.  I’ll admit this isn’t a style of cider I typically like (I preferred their richer regular version).  However, if you like a true sparkling cider and love the tart acidity of green apples, this is for you.  For how sparkling and acidic it was, I think it needed a bit more sweetness.  Oddly enough ciders typically leave me wanting more carbonation, but I think it was a bit overdone in this case.

Most Similar to:  Drier champagne-style ciders such as Finnriver Artisan Sparkling Brut, Argus Fermentables Ciderkin, and Portland Cider Kinda Dry

Closing Notes:   This is a unique cider.  From their website it appears they make it solely for import into the U.S., which seems unusual.  They also make original and pear versions, but I haven’t seen the pear, and have only seen the origianl and green apple ciders at Whole Foods.  The green apple variety seems quite new, as there wasn’t even information on the cidery’s website.

Have you tried Scandinavian Cider?  What did you think?