Fall is showing a strange facet this week; it’s warm and rainy. Much of the summer was the same way, so this feels like a look back at the season just passed. But it’s still Fall, the season of apples. That’s the perfect time to review Virtue Cider’s Spitz and introduce Virtue’s Cider Society.
Virtue Cider comes to us all from Michigan. This cidery was founded in 2011; congrats on turning 10 Virtue! Greg Hall started this cidery after his tenure at Goose Island Brewing. Today, Virtue cider has three cider houses and an array of farm animals, including pigs and chickens.
I’ve reviewed several Virtue Ciders in the past. Here’s the rundown.
Pear: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-virtue-ciders-pear-and.html
Michigan Apple: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/02/cider-review-1911-rose-and-virtue.html
Rose: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/02/cider-review-1911-rose-and-virtue.html
Brut: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/02/cider-review-citizen-ciders-tree-tapper.html
The Mitten Reserve: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/03/cider-review-whitewood-cider-cos-olivia.html
Percheron: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/10/cider-review-virtue-ciders-percheron.html
Ledbury: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/02/cider-review-roundup-virtue-slyboro.html
The Mitten: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/05/cider-review-virtue-ciders-mitten-and.html
Red Streak: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/06/trying-virtue-and-olivers-ciders-at.html
You can find out more about any of these ciders and much more at Virtue’s website: https://www.virtuecider.com/
Part of what I want to do today is to introduce Virtue’s Cider Society!
This cider club will allow members to taste special small batch Virtue ciders that are not available to the wider public. The club ships four times a year, unlocks special discounts, gains member access to club events, and includes gift certificates in each box.
Read all about it here: https://virtuecider.com/pages/cider-society.
I was lucky enough to receive a sample of October’s box with four new Virtue ciders: Spitz, Jonathan, Golden Russet, and Baldwin. These ciders highlight special apple varieties, hence being named after these four heirloom apples. As you can see the package is stunning. I think this is such a treat, and would make an awesome gift for any cider lover in your life.
I don’t have a lot of individual info about the Spitz, aside from it featuring that apple. It’s ABV is 7.3%, and it won a Silver medal at this past year’s GLINTCAP competition. I wish I knew more.
Appearance: Brilliant, warm straw, no visible bubbles
This is a lovely cider. The color classically resembles what I see most often described as warm straw. It’s brilliant and shining, but I don’t see visible bubbles in the glass.
Aromas: fusel oil, peach, minerals, ripe apple
The Spitz offers up an intensely inviting aroma. It reminds me of tart apples, peaches, minerals and just a bit of fusel oil. It smells tantalizing.
Sweetness/dryness: Semi-sweet
Everyone tasting agreed that this cider is a semi-sweet. It’s fruity but not cloying.
Flavors and drinking experience: Tannic, high acid, overripe apples, creamy
I appreciate it so much that the Spitz cider manages to taste tannic and pleasingly tart. The cider brings flavors of overripe apples, sweet cream, oranges, and peaches. None of the elements or flavors comes across as sharp or pointed; instead, the cider feels creamy in my mouth. The level of fizz is relatively low; I’d call it petillant rather than truly sparkling.
We paired this cider with two vegetarian pizzas from a beloved local pizza place I can’ t believe I’ve not yet tried. Takeout pizza is always a treat, but having this super-fresh delicious pizza with a wonderfully full-bodied cider was amazing.
I can’t wait to try the rest of the ciders in my October box from Virtue’s Cider Society!
