STYLE: Apple Wine
The term for this category is traditional but possibly misleading: it is
simply a cider with substantial added sugar to achieve higher alcohol
than a common cider.
Aroma/Flavor: Comparable to a Common Cider. Cider character
must be distinctive. Very dry to slightly medium.
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, pale to medium-gold. Cloudiness or
hazes are inappropriate. Dark colors are not expected unless strongly
tannic varieties of fruit were used.
Mouthfeel: Lighter than other ciders, because higher alcohol is
derived from addition of sugar rather than juice. Carbonation may
range from still to champagne-like.
Overall Impression: Like a dry white wine, balanced, and with low
astringency and bitterness.
Comments: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant,
or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry or medium).
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.070 – 1.100
FG: 0.995 – 1.010
ABV: 9 – 12%
Commercial Examples: AeppelTreow "Appely", Irvine's Vintage Ciders.
Wyeast Strains:
4028 - Chateau Red™
4244 - Chianti™
4766 - Cider™
4946 - Zinfandel™