VinVie Winery & Cidery in Matsukawa, Nagano Prefecture is one of the first (and very few) orchards in Japan to grow apples specifically for making cider. This, their Virginia Crab single varietal cider, is essentially a first of its kind in the country.
Ciders evaluated at Japan Cider Guide follow the American Cider Association‘s Certified Cider Professional Programme‘s Structured Sensory Analysis (below). Leave a comment if you have any questions about the Structured Sensory Analysis, or if you’re interested in learning how to become a Certified Cider Professional, contact me.
APPEARANCE
Clarity
Cloudy
Intensity
Medium
Colour
Yellow
Carbonation
Petillant
AROMA
Intensity
Medium+
Aroma Characteristics
Cooked Apple, Green Apple, Apple Blossom, Dandelion, Petrichor
PALATE
Sweetness
Semi-Dry
Acidity
Low
Tannin
Medium
Intensity
Medium
Flavour Characteristics
Green Apple, Lemon, Daisy, Hay, Slate, Melon
Complexity
Medium
Body
Medium
Finish
Medium
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Summary of above considering balance, integration, and character
This cider pours a bright yellow with a lively petillant carbonation and is rich with a medium intensity of apple, floral and near spice aromas. In the mouth, it is refreshingly dry, mildly tannic with lively hints of acidity; tastes of green apple, white flowers, and minerals combine to make a well-balanced, medium finish cider with moderate complexity and body.
Honest thoughts before moving on…
I’ve had an earlier version of VinVie’s Virginia Crab, and the results were chalk and cheese with this iteration being quite outstanding. I was pleasantly surprised by its expressive bouquet and even more-so with the layers of tastes and balance of flavour. Having been grown and made in Japan, it’s a very different experience than drinking a Virginia Crab single varietal cider from America, so do keep that in mind if you find yourself with a bottle in hand.
This cider and many others from VinVie are available at their online store. The site’s in Japanese but is easily translatable, and also offers their large selection of wines.
