Elegancia Clasico

Brewed by Mock Orchards
Style: Cider
Red Hill, Vic, Australia

Serve in Flute, Lager glass

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Well, whilst I’m bothering to rate something I might as well have a crack at this one too, because it was a very pleasant surprise. I’ve never had a Spanish-style cider, so I have no idea how close this one is, but this was really distinctive and interesting stuff. The people at Mock Orchards evidently aren’t that impressed - I was only offered the other two for tasting and when I expressed interest in buying a bottle I was greeted with a "You know it’s still - as in uncarbonated - right?" Despite this glowing endorsement I persisted with my purchase, and I’m very glad I did. It’s incredibly pale stuff, and yes - it’s still! Marked matchstick aroma like a Riesling (actually I’m not sure if I can recall a Riesling that smelled like this, so perhaps I should say it smelled like a Riesling with matchsticks mixed in) with a very subtle but incredibly fresh appliness, vaguely like a Granny Smith but far more refined. Incredibly light-bodied and dry, mildly tart with a touch of bitterness and a finish vaguely reminiscent of Cantillon. However the distinctive feature is this amazingly vibrant, fresh, crisp sea air and apple flavour without a hint of sweetness, yet it’s in perfect balance. It’s a lot like a Riesling, only at half the alcohol and dead dry. Incredibly drinkable stuff. I could see myself chugging down a whole lot of this stuff on a summer’s day.