Review of Louis Raison Rouge Delice.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve also sampled their Organic Dry version.  This article gives a nice overview of the cidery, such that they started in 1923, and are the top selling cidermaker in France.

Cider:  Rouge Delice
Cidery:  Louis Raison
Cidery Location:  Le Theil-sur-Huisne France
ABV:  5.5%
Brix:  6.57 (23 g sugar / 11.2 oz)
How Supplied:  six pack of 11.2 oz bottles
Style:  commercial French cider, from 10% Rouge Delice red-fleshed apples + 90% bittersweet apples

 

Availability:  wide release in Europe, plus at least sold in Washington & Oregon in the U.S. since March 2018

Cider Description:  [Rouge Delice] is comprised of Rouge Delice and Bittersweet apples. Rouge Delice apples – grown only in France – are recognized for their unique red flesh, delivering the natural rose hue of the liquid itself.  On the nose, this cider is citrusy with bright acidity, accompanied by hints of strawberry and cranberry.  The taste is floral with hints of white tea, spiced apple, and melon.  Rouge Delice finishes with a soft, sweet hint of playful plum and fruit flavors. 2017 Tastings Gold Medal recipient.

Ingredient List:  hard cider, apple juice, liquid sugar, citric acid, natural flavors, color: E163

Cidery Description:  Observing the growth that the American cider industry has experienced, Louis Raison saw an exciting opportunity to introduce high-quality French cidre to US consumers. With such a rich history in cider making, it seemed like a natural fit. After almost a century of production, the Raison team has shown dedication to the longevity of their cider-making expertise, respect for its cooperative values, and the development of sustainable agriculture. Nothing short of a modern-day family, it is only with the knowledge and expertise of its 300 producers and members of the cooperative that Louis Raison has become the market leader of cidre in France. Years of experience have earned Louis Raison the mastery of the sustainable cultivation of apples from orchard to glass. Ultimately, Louis Raison is proud of its cooperative spirit – between producers of apples, employers of factory workers, and providers to cider drinkers alike, all are a part of the Raison family. Santé!

Price:  ~$2 / single bottle (runs ~$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I read about them online, and tried another variety at Cider Summit last year

First Impression:  Light red hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells sweet, of apple, and slightly fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Sweet.  Medium bodied with a fluffy texture.  Low tartness and acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Hints of tannins.  Notes of sweet apple, strawberry, and watermelon, with hints of rich bittersweet apple.  Quick finish.  Moderate apple flavor.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  High sessionability.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  I really liked the flavor, but it was a bit too sweet for me.  Perfect for summer though.

Most Similar to:  Two other French ciders I’ve had which were made using red-fleshed apples, Domaine du Verger Rosé Cidre Bouche and La Chouette Cidre Rosé.  All three only used red-fleshed varieties as part of a blend.  The La Chouette was my favorite of the three, as it isn’t as sweet, but still flavorful, the most complex, and the least commercial tasting, although it also cost the most per ounce.

Closing Notes:  Louis Raison’s ciders are definitely more commercial tasting than most other French ciders I’ve tried, but are at a nice low price point, and will likely eventually be fairly widely distributed, and therefore able to introduce more folks to French cider, which I think overall is a good thing.  I think it was slightly deceptive to name this ‘Rouge Delice’ and highlight their use of this red-fleshed apple variety when they were only 10% of the mix, but at least the ingredient list on the label clearly stated the percentage, which is better than some other cideries have done (Angry Orchard, I’m thinking of you).

Side Note:  If you are interested in trying American ciders from 100% red-fleshed apples, I recommend Alpenfire Glow, Alpenfire Cinders, and Snowdrift Red.

Have you tried French cidre?  What did you think?