Guillaume Sweet Simplon

If I am not mistaken, the Guillaume Sweet Simplon is the second cider from Switzerland that I get to review on the pages of Cider Explorer. Last year at CiderWorldAward’23 this cider won Gold. Also, it won two silver medals from the World Cider Awards and the International Cider Challenge. The Guillaume Sweet Simplon is a certified organic cider that was made using three apple varieties, Goldrush, Jonagold and Reinette du Canada.

Company: Guillaume & Co Sarl
Place of Origin: Sion, Valais, Switzerland
Apples: a blend of Goldrush, Jonagold and Reinette du Canada
ABV: 5,5%
Package type: 33cl amber glass bottle with crown cap
Recommended type of glass: tumbler, white wine glass

Appearance: pours a cloudy, almost opaque golden with an orange hue. Almost no gas. Medium body.

Aroma/Nose: the scent is strong with notes of apple juice, pear juice and orange juice along with a note of freshly grated carrot.

Taste: my first taste is slightly sweet with a moderate acidity. On the mid-palate, lemon juice, orange juice, pear juice. A touch of astringency. Finishes dry with a note of a multivitamin juice.

Overall: I was really looking forward to trying this Swiss cider. Especially that quite recently it has come to my attention that after the World War II Switzlerland cut almost all apple and pear trees to fight high consumption of apple and pear brandies. Therefore, seeing new cidermakers emerging in this country, makes me really happy. However, I’m not sure exactly what to say about the content of the bottle that was shared with me. And, I don’t think that my tasting notes can actually explain how I feel about this product. While drinking the Guillaume Sweet Simplon that won so many awards, I had a feeling, I’m drinking a sophisticated multivitamin juice with some alcohol. I thought it was tasty and balanced as it wasn’t either too sweet or too sour. But as a multivitamin juice or a cocktail based on multivitamin juice, but not a cider. To be honest with you, I have no idea what kind of rating should I give to a juice… Therefore, I’ve decided not to give any score this time. I guess those who are in the beginning of their cider journey, will enjoy a bottle of the Guillaume Sweet Simplon because everyone like a glass of a good quality juice/cocktail. However, if you are looking for a cider that tastes like wine, you may want to try something else.

Availability: in selected stores in Switzerland

Price: Alexandre provided me with a sample.

Where to drink/buy cider in Vienna?

I love coming back to Vienna. It’s one of those European cities that I enjoy visiting every now and then and see how they evolved and how the cider scene changed. Since my last trip to Vienna was in 2017, a number of cider spots closed down and new cider-friendly bars or pubs opened, Brexit turned the availability of English cider upside down, so I recon it makes sense to post a new list of cider spots in Vienna. Despite the fact that Austria has one of the most famous perry pear regions in the world, Mostviertel, I haven’t come across a single Birnenmost (perry) offering in Vienna. There was only locally made white wine everywhere and ciders from usually international cider makers, only rarely Austrian cider producers. Since cider is scarce in Vienna, pay attention to the recommended places below.

Bars/Pubs/Restaurants

• MAST Weinbistro (Porzellangasse 53, 1090, Vienna) I discovered this wine bistro by accident on the last day of my visit to Vienna while heading to the Sigmund Freud’s Museum. It was unfortunately closed as it was Sunday morning so I couldn’t explore it myself. But their cider menu is really impressive with offerings from Cidrerie du Vulcain, Cyril Zangs, Fruktstereo, Antidoot and Franz Weninger. Since MAST has a Michelin recommendation, I trust the food options are as exquisite as their cider menu.

Cider selection at MAST Weinbistro

• Flagship (März Str. 25, 1150, Vienna) – is a natural wine and cider pub as they call themselves. If I’m not mistaken they belong to the owner of Brauhund, a craft beer bar nearby. I didn’t manage to go there in person (which I regret as their cider selection is really great!). Based on their Instagram, they carry ciders from Austrian Vinarija Mulatsak, Swedish Fruktstereo or Austrian Mike Muff .

• Hawidere-Burger & Bier  (Ullmannstraße 31, Vienna, 1150)- Hawidere specialises in burgers and craft beer. They have 14 beers available on taps and none is reserved for cider. In bottles, Austrian Goldkehlchen and Slovak Martin’s Cider. Check their website for the current offer here.
• Mel’s Craft Beer & Diner (Wipplingerstraße 9, 1010 Vienna) Mel’s is located in the centre of Vienna so if you are doing sightseeing here you will sooner or later pass by this bar. Mel’s is actually an American craft beer bar that also happens to carry cider. Back in 2017, they had a quite nice selection of English cider. Cider from Tom Oliver used to be available here. But Brexit ruined it so now only Westons Cider along with Austrian hopped cider from Blakstoc is available here. Complete menu can be found here.

SHOPS

•  Beerlovers – all about craft (Gumpendorferstr. 35, 1060 Vienna) is located in a close proximity to the famous Naschmarkt. Beerlovers, as the name already indicates is basically a craft beer shop with a huge selection of craft beer that also happens to have a really a nice selection of international cider. Apart from cider from Austrian Blakstoc, you will find Hawkes and Westons, both from the UK, Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider from the US (they still have some bottles left although Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider sadly ceased its operations in 09.2023), Val de Rance from France or Falling Apple from Ireland.

• Julius Meinl am Graben (Graben 19, 1010, Vienna) is a gourmet food store located in the heart of Vienna in so called Opernviertel. It’s another place that you can’t miss when you are in the historic city center. Cider can be found on the first floor next to beer. They carry ciders from an award-winner Austrian cidermaker Kühbreinmost and from French Comte Louis Ariston and Val de Rance. Of course, Blakstoc is also available there.  
• Many supermarkets called Spar carry cider from Blakstoc

If there are more cider spots in Vienna worth mentioning, just drop me a line! I would be happy to update my post

Julian Erkert Cider Manufaktur Fat Cat Cider 2018

Julian’s adventure with cider began in 2017 when he tried Aspall Cider in a London pub for the first time. Back in Switzerland, he ordered whatever cider from England he could find, which only strengthened his passion for cider. Funny enough, Julian lives in Thurgau, a region of Switzerland well known for apple production. So, Julian started reading about apple varieties grown in this area and contacted local apple producers, which in Autumn 2017 led to making his own three cider varieties. Next year, due to a great harvest and positive feedback he established Julian Erkert Cider Manufaktur and released his first cider, the Fat Cat named after his fat cat Carlo, who usually sits under Julian’s apple tree.

Company: Julian Erkert Cider Manufaktur
Place of Origin: Tägerwilen, Switzerland
Apples: Engishofer, Sauergrauech, Usterapfel, Klosterapfel, Bohnapfel, Schneiderapfel, grauer Hordapfel and two unknown bittersweet varieties
ABV: 5.9%
Package type: 330 ml clear glass with crown cork
Recommended type of glass: wine glass or pint glass. Julian recommends drinking straight from the bottle.

Appearance: pours cloudy pale amber with a light orange hue and a slowly dissipating white head. Medium carbonation. Body is medium.

Aroma/Nose: the scent is moderately strong with notes of bubble gum, red apples, a hint of lemon, orange and banana.

Taste: it begins with a touch of sweetness and low citrusy acidity. On the mid-palate notes of orange, lemon, low bitterness of grapefruit peat and low to medium astringency. Finishes with a note of apple stem, bubble gum and citrusy acidity of lemon and orange. Red and yellow apples.

Overall: believe me or not but it’s been another super murderously hot day in Berlin. And, I really needed a glass of refreshing cider. Luckily for me, I grabbed a bottle of Julian’s creation, Fat Cider. As it turned out, it has been a brilliant decision as Fat Cat did the job. Not only it was very drinkable and citrusy refreshing, but it also had lovely gentle tannins that rounded up the taste and many notes that appeared while I drank it. Interestingly, Fat Cat is gently citrusy although the level of acidity is not high at all, thus it can be hugely appreciated by a crowd. To me, it’s a cider to enjoy and drink every day. Not only in summer but also in winter. Also, I think that Fat Cat is very food-friendly as it will go well with any food. I would really like to drink it again. Grab the Fat Cat if you have a chance! Well done, Julian. 5/6 

Availability: local restaurants and bars in Tägerwillen. And, directly through Julian.

Price: a sample was provided by Julian himself

Ivan & Cyrill Hossli Siider 2017

Siider is not only an Estonian equivalent for cider. Oh no. In Swiss German, you can also come across this term. Since Ivan & Cyrill Hossli from Aargau didn’t like another Swiss term for cider „suure moscht“, they decided to call their cider Siider.

Their Siider is a blend of 20 old apple varieties. The juice is fermented with wild yeasts in oak barrels and subsequently undergoes secondary fermentation in a bottle.

Company: Ivan and Cyrill Hossli
Place of Origin: Aargau, Switzerland
Apples: a blend of twenty apple varieties
Sweetness as per label: trocken (dry)
ABV: 6.6%
Package type: 750 ml green glass champagne corked and wired bottle
Recommended type of glass: white wine glass or chalice glass

Appearance: pours a lightly cloudy golden with a large white head that quickly dissipates. Medium carbonation. Body is low to medium. Sediment in the bottom.

Aroma/Nose: the nose is weak and lightly acidic with notes of green banana, overripe yellow apple, woody of apple stems, a hint of caramel and sulphur of fireworks and alcohol.

Taste: my first taste is dry with low to medium acidity of lemon. Watery, low to medium astringency, low bitterness, unripe banana. A hint of sulphur of fireworks, yellow apple. Finishes with a note of unripe green apples and chalk.

Overall: I wish I could write something positive about this cider. But that would be simply a lie. The nose is weak and rather boring. Also, there are not many flavours on the palate. Furthermore, Siider finishes quickly leaving a note of unripe green apples and chalk. There is, unfortunately, not much positive I can say about this beverage.  Perhaps two things. It certainly tastes natural. And, once it warmed up the taste improved but it was still rather uninteresting. But overall, the Siider 2017 made a worse impression on me than the vintage 2016. I’m truly sorry, guys, but I think there is still a lot of work for you to be done. 2.5/6

Availability: in bars and restaurants in Aargau.

Price: Siider 2017 was a sample provided by Cyril Hossli.

Ivan & Cyrill Hossli Siider 2016

Siider is made by two brothers Cyrill and Ivan in Aargau, Switzerland. Cyril is studying winemaking in Switzerland and Ivan is a wine lover. One day an idea of making cider from apples grown in their grandfather’s apple orchard came to them. It is worth mentioning that in the past, “suure moscht’ was a popular beverage in this area but then sadly faded into oblivion. Cyrill and Ivan’s first cider trials started in 2012 with 25 bottles. They enjoyed what they made, hence in 2014 they bought their first oak barrel. In 2016, they had already 12 oak barrels.

Siider is made with 20 apple varieties. Juice is fermented with wild yeasts in oak barrels and subsequently undergoes secondary fermentation in a bottle.

Company: Ivan and Cyrill Hossli
Place of Origin: Aargau, Switzerland
Apples: a blend of twenty apple varieties
Sweetness as per label: trocken (dry)
ABV: 7.7%
Package type: 750 ml green glass champagne corked and wired bottle
Recommended type of glass: white wine glass

Appearance: pours a hazy golden with a large white head that quickly dissipates. Medium carbonation. Body is low.

Aroma/Nose: the nose is strong. Yeasty with notes of banana, yellow apples, grass, wood and orange.

Taste: my first taste is dry with medium to high acidity of lemon. Then comes a watery note, smokiness, a note of a lemon peel, yellow apples and low bitterness. Finishes with a note of orange and mandarine flesh, a bit woody of apple stems and a mineral note.

Overall: Siider made by the Hossli brothers is fruity with a pleasant note of orange and mandarine flesh. But it leaves a long aftertaste of lees. Also, Siider tastes very yeasty so I suspect it wasn’t disgorged or wasn’t disgorged properly? I hate to say it but it wasn’t a pleasure drinking it due to a light bitter/lees aftertaste. The taste was long and the scent was strong so it surely has a potential and it tastes natural but it’s simply not there yet. 3/6

Availability: in bars and restaurants in Aargau.

Price: Siider 2016 was a sample provided by Cyril Hossli.

BlackDot D’icy Sirens

Two friends and expats living in Switzerland, Lee (from the UK) and David (from New Zealand) started as a microbrewery. Recently they determined to take on also the cider world and introduced their first cider D’icy Sirens (anagram of Cidre Eysins, a district in the canton of Vaud) made from Gala, Jazz and Magnum Bonum grown in local orchards. Currently, they are experimenting with Gala as a single variety and a blend of Gala and pears with a Champagne yeast. So a new range of ciders from Lee and David can be expected in bars in Switzerland soon. Company: BlackDot Brewery
Place of Origin: Aigle, De Vaud, Switzerland
Apples: a blend of 3 apple varieties including Gala, Jazz and Magnum Bonum
ABV: 6.8%
Package type: 330ml amber bottle with crown cork
Recommended type of glass: wine glass or snifter glass

Appearance: pours a cloudy pale golden and a white foam that only slowly dissipates. Lightly sparkling. Natural carbonation. Body is medium. Creamy texture. Sediment in the bottle.

Aroma/Nose: the scent is strong, it pours out of the glass with notes of apple stems and pears. Further notes are banana, yellow apples and a hint of bubblegum and alcohol.

Taste: it begins dry with some residual sweetness to it and a low acidity of lemon. Notes of pears, yellow apples, white wine and hints of vanilla and wood. A bit watery. Finishes with a fruity and gentle bitter taste leaving a bit weird feeling on the tongue.

Overall: I will be honest with you. Lee provided me with two bottles. I tried the first one and had mixed thoughts on their cider due to its aftertaste. Unfortunately or fortunately, I had some issues with WordPress and my tasting notes and remarks with regard to this cider were gone (one of the worst things that can happen to a blogger). Luckily, I had one spare bottle that I could use for this review. The nose didn’t differ much from what I remembered. It was surprisingly rich and strong for a cider made from eaters and cookers. Taste-wise it was also dry, light and fruity. It had a structure and good length. Only the aftertaste was less pronounced than I remembered, but still rather disturbing. I think that it must have been left a bit too long on its lees and some off-notes impacted the taste of this drop. Especially as it warmed up the aftertaste was getting less palatable. This is a good cider, surprisingly good, but just remember to drink it chilled. Also, the D’icy Sirens is very food friendly and will go well with pork or cheese with intense flavour. I wouldn’t mind having it again. 4/6

Availability: directly from the BlackDot brewery or in local bars in Aigle in Switzerland.

Price: D’Icy Sirens was a sample provided by Lee from BlackDot