Drink of the Week: Romilly Cidre Brut

Sometimes the most memorable beverages are those with the deepest roots, such as the brut cider from the 1,000-year-old Romilly farm. This cider is made with a blend of eight estate-grown heritage apple varieties from Normandy, then fermented once with Champagne yeast before undergoing a second fermentation in the bottle, where it sits for another year before going on sale (watch for extra fizz-over when you pop that cork!). A fine example of French cider, this brut achieves a perfect balance of fresh apple sweetness and dry, sparkling finish. Expect flavors of crisp, ripe apples (complete with all the tannin structure that comes from the skins), backed by some funky earthiness. It’s a tad wily without being too wild, and at 4.9%, it’s an easy-drinking cider that pairs beautifully with rich cheeses or a hearty holiday roast.  $17, youngswines.com