Mr. Plūme Ābolu Sidrs Dzirkstosais 2016

Spring has arrived in Europe (at least in Berlin) with sunshine and temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. So I thought to give a try to a nicely chilled sparkling cider Ābolu Sidrs Dzirkstosais 2016 from Mr. Plūme. The Dzirkstosais is a blend of various Latvian apple varieties and local crab apples, and also two vintages. Interestingly, the Dzirkstosais was obtained using the keeving process combined with several rackings, a method that retains the sweetness in cider. Company: Mr. Plūme sidra darītava
Place of Origin: Jumpravas pagasts, Lielvārdes novads, Latvia
Apples a blend of various Latvian apple varieties and local crab apples
Sweetness as per label: semi-sweet
ABV: 5.5%
Package type: 375 ml amber glass champagne corked bottle
Recommended type of glass: flute or chalice glass

Appearance: pours a cloudy pale golden with a large white frothy head. Carbonation is high and natural. Body is low to medium.

Aroma/Nose: the nose is fruity and acidic with notes of lemon, lime, fresh green and ripe yellow apples, ripe juicy pears and a hint of yeast and cloves.

Taste: it has a lightly sweet and slightly acidic start. Next notes that come into play are of lemon, yellow and green apples, ripe pears. Also, a smoky and vinous note with a light astringent taste appear on the mid-palate. The finish is dry and short with a light astringency, a taste of ripe pears and yellow apples with a hint of green apples. A very distant hint of bitterness and light chalky taste as well.

Overall: should good or bad news come first? I’ll start with what I liked, the Dzirkstosais from Mr. Plūme is very fruity and aromatic, both on the nose and the palate. Especially, I was fond of the ripe pear taste. Also, I loved the structure, nicely balanced sweetness and acidity with a touch of soft tannins. However, I have a comment to make here. The finish is too short so the lovely fruity taste of the Dzirkstosais disappears too fast. Also, it lacks a bit body. In spite of that, I enjoyed the Dzirkstosais very much. I think it’s a versatile cider that can be likeable by everyone, as it is not too sour, not too dry or too sweet. Just the finish is too short. But, yes, I would love to have it again. 4/6 

Availability: available from Mr. Plūme. At farmers markets and many other places in Latvia. Possibly also from Siidrimaja in Tallinn, Holm Cider in Copenhagen and MostBirnHaus in Austria.

Price: Ābolu Sidrs Dzirkstosais 2016 was a sample provided by Māris from Mr. Plūme.