Menaresta Secco

Sidro Secco is an Italian extra-dry cider made by Birrificio Menaresta in Lombardia region. It is made with only apple juice from a blend of apples from Valtellina, a sub region of Lombardia. It’s refreshing and light despite a considerable body – ABV 6.9%.

Menaresta Secco at glance

  • Region: Valtellina, Lombardia, Italy
  • Alcohol: 6.9%
  • Style: sparkling, extra dry
  • Vintage: n.a.
  • Apple varieties: blend of multi variety of apples from Valtellina, Lombardia, Italy.
Menaresta Secco in glass_featured image

Cider flavour profile

  • See: light hay, signs of carbonation, mildly hazy
  • Smell:  a bit funky, with hoppy notes
  • Taste: lively bubbles, extra-dry, even a little bitter, with mild notes of yeast. Earthy secondary notes leave space for a long dry finish

Tasting Notes on Sidro Secco by Menaresta

The first thought I had while sipping Menaresta Secco was on how much it reminded me of prosecco, minus the fruity notes.

This cider is incredibly dry -hence its name “Secco” which in Italian means “dry”, and indeed it is quite possibly the driest cider I have ever tried, but it comes across as surprisingly agreeable and refreshing.

Low in tannins but with a considerable body, this cider can be a bit of an acquired taste in my opinion, especially for those who prefer fruity and sweet ciders-I would surely not recommend it to my sweet-toothed husband.

Menaresta Secco in glass close up

According to the producer this “easy like an apple, enjoyable like a beer” and indeed there are elements of this cider that do remind me greatly of some dry and mildly hoppy beers; perhaps the fact that Menaresta was a brewery first has played a part in the flavour profile of this cider? I would be curious to ask this question if I have the chance to meet the cider makers.

Notes from the producers

Original language (Italian): “Sidro secchissimo (zero zucchero) fatto partendo direttamente dalle mele: mele biologiche della Valtellina, multivarieta’. E’ semplice e morbido, facilissimo da bere, ma ricco di gusto. Da ingollare a pinte. Note degustative: fruttato, floreale. Succo di mela prodotto da Laborato di Marco Colani. Fermentazione e maturazione condotte da Birrificio Menaresta.“

English: “Ultra-dry cider (zero sugar) made starting directly from apples: organic apples from Valtellina, multi variety. It’s simple and smooth, very easy to drink, but rich in flavor. To be swallowed in pints. Tasting notes: fruity, floral. Apple juice produced by Laborato di Marco Colani. Fermentation and maturation conducted by Menaresta Brewery.”

Food pairing

Menaresta Secco is so dry that I would almost treat it like an IPA when it comes to food pairing: white grilled meat like chicken or turkey, and perhaps even pita with hummus.