Speaking with Cider Explorer: European Cider
July 14, 2020
Cider & Wine: Similarities, Differences, & What Wine Drinkers Should Try
July 21, 2020
Newport Vineyards is a Rhode Island located winery that has been family owned and operated for about 25 years. They have delicious wines and have now expanded to adding Taproot Brewing, a very tasty brewery along with the winery. I have been going to the winery quite often, especially since before the pandemic hit and it’s where I have spent my last two birthdays. As much as I love their wine, Taproot beer, and getting an extravagant cheese plate, I didn’t know they had ciders until I looked at a cider map of the US. Lucky for me, I checked out this cider map and was able to taste two of the ciders they have.
Rhody Coyote was the first one I tasted and not only is the vineyard actually local to me they also informed me that there is usually up to eight different kinds of apples in this cider and those are local too from orchards in Rhode Island which makes me very happy. The more local it is, the more I love it. As for taste, I was a huge fan sipping on this light bodied, effervescent cider with a 7% ABV and amazing after taste. I had this on the deck and thought it might be a cider I would drink more in the fall.
Although, if you want something that gives you even more of a hint of pumpkin and cooler weather, there’s no need to worry because they actually have a “fall version” of this cider, if you will. It’s called Wicked Smashed Pumpkin Apple Cider and is made with their own spice blend and local pumpkins. Rhody Coyote came in at $12 onsite for a retail price which I found was very affordable.
The second cider I tasted was the Mr. Green; an unfiltered, dry, and fizzy cider that I also really enjoyed. This cider is also made with Rhode Island apples, just greening ones. When I was tasting, I definitely tasted the tartness of green apples but yet it didn’t make me pucker up as much as I had expected it to. This is the first year Newport Vineyards has made this cider and I think it will stick around for a long time. This cider also packs a punch at 10% ABV. The tall bottle goes for $20 on their site.
W’re are excited to see how things evolve for Newport Vineyard and wish them the best in their new endeavors! To learn more about Newport Vineyard’s ciders, beer, or wine, you can visit their shop and website.
