Oldest cider-making families in the world sets foot in Mumbai

Heres trivia about cider that most of us might not know A traditional drink of the English countryside it was favoured by the aristocracy in the 17th century and then went on to become the pay for the working classes who laboured in the fieldsNext week Mumbaikars will get a taste of UKbased Sheppys Cider from one of the oldest cidermaking families in the world with a proud history that goes back 202 years Presently the city offers ciders brewed and processed in India by White Owl Gateway brewery and Moonshine MeaderyOut of three ciders slated to release in India by Morgan Beverages Mumbai will first get the Classic Draught Cider which has a 55 per cent alcohol volume and recently won prestigious one was the Great Taste 2 Stars in 2017David SheppyMade from naturally occurring yeasts found on the apple skins and fermented in 100yearold oak barrels before blending the cider taste profile is a combination of both traditional dry and tannic and dessert sweet apples including those grown here on the Sheppys cider farm David Sheppy the sixth generation Sheppy who took charge in 1998 tells us over an emailThe process of cidermaking has more similarities with wine than beer Our cider is made from traditional English bittersweet and dessert apples that we harvest from 90 acres of Somerset apples during autumn between September and November The apples are pressed fermented blended and bottled on site and it takes three to four months of fermentation using natural yeasts says SheppyThe Sheppy family first started making cider in 1816 But production was paused in 1941 during World War 2 when farms were ordered to produce crops to aid the war effort but resumed shortly afterBefore signing off he tells us his foodcider pairing suggestions The English are partial to a Ploughmans lunch which is a traditional platter of bread cheddar cheese chutneys and pickles freshly sliced apple ham Or even BBQs and pork dishes Sheppys Classic Draught makes a accompaniment to spicy foodAvailable at leading wine stores and restaurants including Slink amp Bardot Olive Bistro Cafe Zoe Eddies Bayview Cafeacute and Yauatcha Over the next few months they would be available in Delhi Bengaluru Goa and Hyderabad at all the countersCost Rs 390How good is itBeer and cider taster Pratik Bavishi who is on Instagrams as brewunlimited reviews the Sheppys Classic Draught for us The chilled bottle reads light crisp and refreshing In terms of aroma you get a waft of mild tart apple mixed with a slight floral aroma followed by a definite hint of funk On the palate it is semi dry medium bodied and slightly tannic which goes well with the apple and a mild funk barnyard from the natural fermentation and time spent in oak barrels says Bavishi This is a master blend that cloaks the sweetness so beautifully The cider is apple forward balanced sessionable even at 55 per cent ABV and holds it character through till the end without the bite of carbonation Its a thumbs up from BavishiCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates