Review of Kupela’s Basque Cider, from France.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

>>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:  Basque Cider
Cidery:  Kupela
Cidery Location:  Anglet, France
ABV:  4.0%
How Supplied:  330ml bottles
Style:  French (Basque region), Demi-Sec (medium 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).

Cider Description:  From the Basque region, this distinctive cider is tasty, tangy, smooth yet expressive. Cellar master, Agustin Etxeberria has created this modernized version of traditional Basque cider – making it light, but dry and slightly tangy, with subtle effervescence.  The fleeting hint of sweetness, is balanced immediately by the acidic cider apple flavors. 100% natural and 100% refreshing. Fermented in the bottle, try this is a real alternative to beer.

Cidery Description:  Located in the Basque region of northern Spain, Kupela cider is produced using traditional Basque methods. Kupela pays tribute to the Basque sailors who embarked on lengthy sea voyages with cider in barrels (“Kupela” in Basque), rich in vitamin C to fight scurvy.  Its acidity, its lightness and its fruitiness match perfectly with the gastronomy acclaimed by modern Epicureans. 

Price:  n/a (retails for $5.99)
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet to semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Hints of tannins.  No bitterness, sourness, or funk.  Notes of green apple & pomace, pineapple, lemon, honey, and mineral.  Moderate length finish.  Moderate to high complexity.  Moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I really enjoyed it.  Not at all what I was expecting from a French or Basque cider, but in a good way.  I’m not typically a fan of Spanish Basque cider due to the sourness, but it was absent.  This may be the first French Basque cider I’ve tried though.  It would be a fun cider to bring to a party, as its qualities remain crowd-friendly (not sour, bitter, or funky, and mid-level sweetness), plus it has some nice complexity.

Most Similar to:  not any French or Basque Spanish cider I’ve tried, but an Italian cider, Bertilinos, except even more complex

Closing Notes:  Although ‘Basque’ cider is more commonly associated with Spain, the Basque region spans both Spain (Northern) and France (Southwestern).

Have you tried Basque French cider?  What did you think?