Gutshof Kraatz Cydonia 2016

The word ‘Cydonia’ has at least two meanings. It can be a region on Mars or a fruit if referring to Cydonia oblonga M., better known as quince. For his quince wine, Florian from Gutshof Kraatz uses only fruits from local orchards in the North of Uckermark. To be honest, I haven’t had a quince wine before. But I have very pleasant memories with quince liquor made by my friend’s dad. I remember the fruity, lightly acidic taste breaking down the sweetness and a lovely astringent taste to it. Hopefully, the Cydonia crafted by Florian will bring back these memories.Company: Gutshof Kraatz
Place of Origin: Nordwestuckermark-Kraatz, Germany
Fruits: made from quinces coming from local orchards
ABV: 6.5%
Package type: 750ml clear glass wine bottle with screw cap
Recommended type of glass: white wine glass

Appearance: pours a beautiful, crystal deep clear pale straw with no head. No visible carbonation. Body is low.

Aroma/Nose: the nose is intense, rich and fruity with notes of mirabelle plum, peach, unripe and ripe quince, ripe pumpkin and ripe juicy cantaloupe.

Taste: the initial taste is only slightly sweet with a pleasant medium lemon-like acidity. Then it gets more fruity with notes of ripe and unripe quince, the mirabelle plum, pumpkin, ripe cantaloupe and a light astringent taste. It finishes dry with lingering fruity notes of mirabelle plum, quince, cantaloupe, a lightly chalky taste and a note of lemon drops with a distant herbal note.

Overall: Cydonia is another great wine from Florian of Gutshof Kraatz, only this time it’s made from other fruits than apples, quinces. Interestingly, the Cydonia has nothing in common with the liquor from my memories as it is sophisticated, very rich with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity, with extremely long lingering wonderfully captured fruity notes, which are typical for wines made by Florian as I’ve noticed. Cydonia is a light and refreshing wine, which can be consumed alone or with food. A wine to fall in love with. 5/6

Availability: from their online shop, through Q Regio. In Frankfurt from Apfelweinkontor and Apfelweinhandlung. In Berlin from Schaufenster Uckermark located in the Markthalle Neun. In Poland through Vinoteka in Szczecin.

Price: Florian contacted me and asked if I’d like to try their Apfelwein.