It’s Halloween time, and this year looks like sunny warm weeks and rainy cold weekends. Our trips to the pumpkin patch might be more hurried amidst the blowing blustery conditions. The time at home with snuggly blankets, cozy candle scents, and pots of hot soup is more needed than usual. This season has many modes, and all facets of Autumn are welcome to me. This week’s cider was enjoyed with a potato and cider cider soup and hot crust bread toasted with cheddar.
Today, I’m sharing my thought’s on Star Cider’s Folklore. Star Cider is a regional cider local to us here in upstate New York. The cidery is based in Canandaigua, New York. That's part of the Finger Lakes, for those unfamiliar. It was founded in 2014 and the current tasting room opened in 2019. I love this quote from the cidery’s website.
Cidermaking is not a destination, but a journey. On this journey, cider will continue to evolve as we discover new insights on the science of cider and unravel myths and legends about the processes used to make hard cider in the past. Cidermaking will continue to transform as we experiment with the fermentation process and through the use of fresh ingredients that complement the flavor of cider.
I had a great time visiting Star Cider with the Cornell and NY Cider Association Summer tour last year: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/07/cornell-and-nyca-hard-cider-summer-tour.html
And in 2018 I finally shared my notes on the Wild Child Rhubarb by Star Cider: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/07/cider-review-kite-and-string-ciders.html
I recommend checking out the Star Cidery website to learn more about current offerings and activities in the tasting room: http://www.starcidery.com/.
And here's a link to Blue Barn Cidery too: https://www.bluebarncidery.com.
Admittedly, I know less about Blue Barn Cidery out of Hilton, New York, but I look forward to learning more!
Here’s how Star Cidery describes Folklore
Made with mixed heirloom apples from Blue Barn Cidery in Hilton New York this collaboration cider is guaranteed to impress!
Notes of green apple, peach, and pear give way to a dry Riesling-like finish. The perfect cider for a sunny day. 7% ABV.
Appearance: Intense sunflower yellow, brilliant, bubbly
The Folklore pours with a head, but the head didn’t stick around long enough for pictures. This cider vibrates with its sunflower yellow color; it’s so bold and bright! The cider is bubbly and brilliant.
Aromas: overripe apples, tangy tartness, gentle funk
This cider bubbles ripe apple aromas with fervor! I love the rich autumnal lushness I get here. The Folklore also smells just a touch funky in a tangy way. Other notes remind me of lemon, wild rice, and mushrooms.
Sweetness/Dryness: Semi-dry
I find the Folklore semi-dry, but it was a careful consideration to get there. I’d be curious to see the residual sugar and acidity.
Flavors and drinking experience: Bubbly, bittersweet, high acid
This cider develops as I taste it in a most pleasing way. The Folklore communicates with gentle bittersweetness. In mouthfeel, it’s creamy and rich; the fine bubbles move energetically through the cider. Like the majority of New York state ciders the Folklore gets lots of its ooph from its high acidity rather than tannins.
Specific flavors associations that wafted through my mind were white grape and crème brûlée: something round and full. One of my favorite little surprises of this cider was its vanilla finish.
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