Ross-on-Wye Ball’s Bittersweet 2021
Ross-on-Wye Ball’s Bittersweet 2021 is a fruity to the nose, bone dry to the palate cider from Herefordshire, made with 100% Ball’s Bittersweet apples – carbonated and filtered – with a really crisp flavour profile. It livens the palate and feels perfect for a wide variety of dishes.
Ball's Bittersweet at glance
- Region: Herefordshire, England
- Alcohol: 6.7%
- Style: dry, sparkling
- Vintage: 2021
- Apple varieties: 100% Ball’s bittersweet
Tasting Notes
- See: rich hay colour, a little hazy, with vivacious signs of carbonation
- Smell: fruit-forward, with mild notes of smoked ham
- Taste: sparkling, dry, with medium low acidity and high tannins; mouthwatering and refreshing, with bitter elements – reminiscent of bitter orange marmalade; herbaceous secondary notes end in a refreshing medium long finish
Notes from the producers
A variety bred and propagated by Edward Ball in the 1930s, Ball’s is a soft, gentle bittersweet. This is Ball’s at its underrated best: beautifully smooth classically fruity with long red apple notes, and just endlessly drinkable. We are lovers of low acid, fruity, dry cider, and and this is a perfect example of where that love comes from. An apple that deserves more plaudits!
Personal Notes on Ross-on-Wye Ball's BIttersweet
I love ciders that keep you on your toes, and this is very much one of those. Ross-on-Wye Ball’s Bittersweet cider shows a remarkable and fun contrast between smell and taste – very fruit dominant and sweet to the nose, but nearly bone dry and considerably astringent to the palate. Because Ball’s bittersweet is indeed made with a “bittersweet” apple variety, one would expect the cider to have some residual sugars. In this case however, one would be wrong: this is a naturally fully fermented cider where all the sugar has turned into good alcohol.
The overall mouthfeel is pleasant, with smooth tannins and strong fruity notes. As it warms up, Ball’s Bittersweet gains farmyard notes but maintains its freshness and balance.
Food pairing
I highly recommend a contrasting food pairing with this cider. Choose a salty dish–such as roast gammon–to enhance the fruity and sweet elements of this cider. Alternatively, you can pair Ross-on-Wye Ball’s Bittersweet with charcuteries – prosciutto, non-spicy salami – or strongly-flavoured salty cheeses, like stilton or a medium seasoned option like Manchego or Gruyère.
