EVER THE PURIST, David approached pear cider cautiously. Often cloyingly sweet, he deemed few worthy of the Sonoma Cider name. So the bar was set at: balance, nuance, intensity or not at all. Contrasting crisp and creamy, aromatic and tart, he added all-natural pear flavors to Sonoma’s distinct small-apple blend until he found something genuine, with real cider integrity. Pitchfork is our happy ending. It’s an apple connoisseur’s pear cider, hand-crafted with organic apples and a measured infusion of pear essence. It’s both intense and balanced, greeting you with the distinct aromas of both fruits. We’re convinced its fresh play of flavors, crisp start and creamy pear finish will inspire a fan club all its own. With David, the skeptic, presiding. Bottom’s up. [Note: this is not a perry, as there is no fermented pear juice used, just fermented apples with vanilla and pear flavoring added, as the bottle clearly states. -Ernest]