C2B. Cider with Other Fruit

This is a cider with other fruits or fruit-juices added – for example, berry. This is the correct style to enter a beverage fermented from a combination of apple and pear juice.

Overall Impression

Like a white wine with complex flavors. The apple character must marry with the added fruit so that neither one dominates the other.

Appearance

Clear to brilliant. Color appropriate to added fruit, but should not show oxidation characteristics. (For example, red berries should give red-to-purple color, not orange.)

Aroma / Flavor

The cider character must be present and must fit with the other fruits. It is a fault if the added fruit(s) completely dominate; a judge might ask, Would this be different if neutral spirits replaced the cider? A fruit cider should not be like an alco-pop. Oxidation is a fault.

Mouthfeel

Substantial. May be significantly tannic, depending on fruit added.

Entry Instructions

Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (3 levels). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (5 categories). Entrants MUST specify all fruit(s) and/or fruit juice(s) added.

Vital Statistics

OG

1.045 - 1.070

FG

0.995 - 1.010

ABV

5% - 9%

Commercial Examples

US West County Blueberry-Apple Wine (MA), Bellwether Cherry Street (NY), Uncle John’s Fruit Farm Winery Apple Cherry Hard Cider (MI), Uncle John’s Fruit Farm Winery Apple Blueberry Hard Cider (MI), Uncle John’s Fruit Farm Winery Apricot Apple Hard Cider (MI).