Review of Herout 2017 Maison D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre 75th Anniversary Limited Edition, a dry sparkling French cidre.  It is my first time trying this, but I have previously had their Brut, Extra Brut, Coup de Foudre Cidre Biologique, and Pommeau.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Beauchamp Imports / French Cider Inc.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.<<

Cider:  Maison D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre, 75th Anniversary Limited Edition, 2017
Cidery:  Herout AOC
Cidery Location:  Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, France
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  750ml corked & caged bottle
Style:  French cidre, from cider apples, sparkling, brut (dry)

 

Availability:  In Washington, through Beauchamp Imports, plus online at their French Cider Inc. website (at the time of this review, they are able to ship to WA, OR, ID, CA, NV, NM, AK, ND, NH, & DC).  They also offer a number of other selections from Herout, plus ciders and Pommeaux from many other makers.

Cider Description:  This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy.  Located only 13 miles from Utah Beach, Maison Hérout is uniquely positioned to pay its respects to the Americans who fought so bravely to help liberate Europe. Limited availability and only available on the website.  Authentic and full-bodied. The 75th Anniversary D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre is distinguished by its golden color with orange undertones – and its very fine bubbles. On the mouth, the subtle acidity on the first taste is quickly balanced out by a refreshing finish. Subtle aromas of butter and dried herbs.

Cidery Description:  Since the 1940s, Hérout cidre has been produced by the Hérout family on the Cotentin Peninsula on the Northwest coast of Normandy France, in Auvers, where apples thrive in its lush and oceanic climate.  They are the newest cidre AOC in France, since May 2016.  The cidermaker Marie-Agnes Herout was awarded the highest civilian honor in France for her 16 years of work getting the AOC recognized – Le Croix de Chevalier, Legion d’Honneur (Knights Cross for the Legion of Honneur).  See here for more information on the cider and here for more information on the cidery.

Price:  n/a (retails for $25)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

First Impression:  Hazy light pumpkin hue.  Moderate carbonation.  Smells of musty funky apple.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Moderate tartness, acidity, and funk.  Low tannins.  Hints of bitterness.  No sourness.  Notes of rich bittersweet apple juice and pomace, butterscotch, must/earth, and lemon.  Moderate tannic finish length.  Moderate apple flavor, complexity, and flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  Awesome!  I enjoyed this funky find – it reminded me some of English cider, except sparkling.

Most Similar to:  this was funkier than any other typical French cider I can remember trying (it nearly rivaled the Bordelet mini-keg I tried that I think was an off batch), which I personally loved, but the sweetness, carbonation level, flavor profile, etc, are all characteristically French (see a list of my French cider reviews here)

Closing Notes:  This is my favorite of the three Herout ciders I’ve tried, although I think I liked their Pommeau even better (I’ll have to double check when I open the bottle of Pommeau I have at home).

Have you tried Herout cidre?  What did you think?