As we wave goodbye to winter and usher in the warmer months, craft ciders and wine coolers are the drinks to add to your list of summer
beverages to enjoy this season.
De Grendel cellar master Charles Hopkins says there has been a move away from high volume commercial products as people "prefer to drink more creative individual products".
"It's extremely versatile and can be enjoyed as an aperitif and (with) many different kinds of light foods complementing roast pork and pork belly – barbecued or grilled – creamy sauces and chicken. It also pairs well with salads, soft cheese and seafood. It's a surprising partner for fresh oysters with a cider-ginger mignonette dressing,” Hopkins says.
These are the locally produced ciders you have to try this summer.
Launched earlier this year and described as the new darling on the brunch scene, Three Spades is most certainly on my list.
It’s light and the refreshing crispy apple flavour makes this the perfect summertime drink.
The 330ml curvy champagne-shaped bottle has a luxurious look with gold finishes for a touch of class.
This is one drink your guests won’t mind drinking straight from the bottle.
Three Spades Cider is available in limited quantities and retails at R35 a bottle or R530 for a box of 16.
It’s available from De Grendel Tasting Room, online at the De Grendel Online Shop, www.degrendel.co.za (delivery will be arranged), or from speciality liquor shops in Cape Town.
Three Spades Cider Picture: Bakkes Images, Riehan Bakkes
Loxtonia Cider is produced in the Ceres Valley and is made from hand-picked apples which are pressed and naturally fermented, bringing to life their key philosophy "Orchard to Bottle".
Once launched in October, Loxtonia Cider will be available in four variants, which includes:
Crispy Apple Cider: a refreshingly fruity cider with a smooth, crisp finish.
Sparkling Apple Cider: a taste of green apple with tones of fruity Prosecco with a lively, bubbly sparkle.
Stone Fruit Flavoured Apple Cider: a fresh peach aroma with notes of both nectarine and apple.
Pale Amber Apple Cider: a beer-style cider made up of natural flavours that allow for a well-rounded and smooth, medium sweet cider.
Loxtonia Cider will retail at a recommended selling price of R25 to R30 per 340ml bottle and will be available in leading liquor stores nationwide.
Loxtonia cider
The "fifth cousin" of the popular wine producer, Fiver by Four Cousins, is a ready-to-drink wine cooler and a summer must-have.
A wine cooler is made when the alcohol comes from wine and other ingredients are added, not quite making it a cider but it still has
the same refreshing taste.
This wine-based drink is infused with fruit flavours and caters to every palate, whether you fancy a sweet drink or prefer a drier style drink.
Fiver by Four Cousins is available at leading retailers countrywide for around R79.99 for a six-pack or online by the case through www.vanloveren.co.za.
Everson’s Cider is produced in the Elgin Valley and is made with up to five different types of apples from the region.
In addition to its "original" apple cider, which has a bitter-sweet green apple finish, Everson's also has a range of other variations including South Africa's first pear cider, a mulled cider – its apple cider blended with spice-infused apple juice – and a newly released pomegranate cider.
Everson's Cider Picture: Instagram (eversonscider)