Well i finally bit the bullet.
Been mucking around over the past year or so with various yeasts, apples and techniques but the end result is always a fairly 1-dimensional cider. Drinkable but thats not what i want. Went AG to get my beers up to scratch, need to do the same with my cider.
(FWIW - long life apple juice plus wyeast 4766 cider yeast gives the best results)
The aim is a cider that when I drink with the eyes shut transports me back to Rennes....
SO i got my partners Dad around to attack the 70+ year old apple trees with a chainsaw. Old school pruning. From a height of some 15-20m, they are now <1m in height.
Went to a grafting lesson and also had partners Dad show me his technique.
Grafted 9 french cider varieties onto 3 trees and left an original branch on 2 of the 3 trees. Most have taken and have leaves so i must have done a half decent job.
Cimetiere de Blangy - douce amere
Michelin - amere
de Boutteville - amere
Clozette - douce amere
Frequin Rouge - amere
Blanchet - acidulee
Antoinette - douce amere
Belle Cauchoise - douce
Chataignier - douce
Approximate translations are (am sure Jean-Yves can correct me):
douce amere = bittersweet
douce = sweet
amere = bitter (even more tannin than bittersweet)
acidulee = acid (levels appear to be between the English sweet and the English sharp)
Whilst this is a long term investment (2-3 years before i can collect apples) I will be getting fresh pressed juice from local orchards who grow cider apples. Will start small (20-30L) until i get the process down. Will also split batches to compare natural fermentation with Wyeast 4766 (cider) yeast.
I have read Jean-Yves 'How to make Breton Cider' several times and think i have the process down in my mind.
Cheers
DrSmurto
p.s. picked up a galette/crepes recipe book during my last visit to Rennes (2006) but am yet to make any. Cant find the right hot plate.....
French Cider Apples
Re: French Cider Apples
I am very jealous
That will be some serious cider once all the trees are producing
Good luck with it I look forward to seeing the reports
Puts my single apple tree to shame, if I had more room, aah if only.
That will be some serious cider once all the trees are producing
Good luck with it I look forward to seeing the reports
Puts my single apple tree to shame, if I had more room, aah if only.
Fermenter(s): Lambic, Wheat beer, Amrillo/Cascade Beer
Cornys: Hobgoblin clone, Four Shades Stout, Wheat Beer, Amarillo/Cascade Ale, Apple Wine, Cider, Damson Wine, Ginger Beer
Cornys: Hobgoblin clone, Four Shades Stout, Wheat Beer, Amarillo/Cascade Ale, Apple Wine, Cider, Damson Wine, Ginger Beer
- jean-yves
- Hollow Legs
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:00 pm
- Location: Brittany France
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Re: French Cider Apples
hello drsmurto how are you doing today !!
my daughter is gone to sydney 3 month ago !!!!
hope you had a great time in brittany !! Rennes is 2 hrs drive from where i live !
we're now making the cider, i'll start in a week ! my varieties are different , as there're so many local one. i'll post some pics.
the right hot plate to make the best galette is a "krampouz" http://www.krampouz.com/
which mean "galette " in breton. do not think you'll be able to find one in australia !!!
my daughter is gone to sydney 3 month ago !!!!
hope you had a great time in brittany !! Rennes is 2 hrs drive from where i live !
we're now making the cider, i'll start in a week ! my varieties are different , as there're so many local one. i'll post some pics.
the right hot plate to make the best galette is a "krampouz" http://www.krampouz.com/
which mean "galette " in breton. do not think you'll be able to find one in australia !!!
Re: French Cider Apples
THAT IS A GREAT IDEA, WERE DID YOU GET YOU GRAFTS FROM? SOES ANY ONE KNOW CAN YOU BY GRAFTS IN THE UK, OR DO YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND A TREE YOU LIKE AND TAKE A WEE CUTTING? I TOO HAVE AN OLD ANCIENT TREE IN NEED OF REVITALISATION
Re: French Cider Apples
I love Brittany, was such a beautiful part of the world. St Malo blew my mind, we just dont have that sort of architecture down here. Mont Saint-Michel is my desktop picture at work and is a great talking point when colleagues drop in!jean-yves wrote:hello drsmurto how are you doing today !!
my daughter is gone to sydney 3 month ago !!!!
hope you had a great time in brittany !! Rennes is 2 hrs drive from where i live !
we're now making the cider, i'll start in a week ! my varieties are different , as there're so many local one. i'll post some pics.
the right hot plate to make the best galette is a "krampouz" http://www.krampouz.com/
which mean "galette " in breton. do not think you'll be able to find one in australia !!!
i found a shop in Oz that sells 'krampouz' so will add it to my xmas wish list.
Looking forward to the pics of your cider making JY.