Tongue Dancer

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Beverage of the Week (BOW)

Tongue Dancer "Applelicious" Apple Cider (USA)

Product Story

Enjoy this drink of opportunity. The California fires resulted in fewer grapes being available from 2020 which then led to empty tanks in 2021. Empty tanks want to be filled so James MacPhail filled his tanks with fresh-pressed apple juice from the Russian River Valley. The Gravenstein and Golden Delicious apple juice was fermented with Champagne yeast, aged on the lees, and rested in neutral barrels for 11 months. Gravenstein apples are native to Europe, likely Denmark, but are grown through the cooler nations of Europe, as well as North America. While a prized culinary apple, Gravenstein is also a popular Cider apple in North America as well as a Brandy base in Austria. The resulting Cider is dry and refreshing with amazing apple and citrus flavors. Get it while it lasts.

Brand Story

Tongue Dancer Wines is the creation of James and Kerry MacPhail. If you are a California Pinot Noir lover you likely know James' previous work with MacPhail Family Wines. James knows how to make amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and James knows a lot of people who grow spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We have been reviewing the wines from Tongue Dancer for the better part of a decade and we have never seen a Tongue Dancer Wine fail to earn Four-Stars or better. Tongue Dancer is constantly innovating, releasing new wines every year while never missing a beat. This year they surprised us with the release of a great, dry cider! This is a winery to watch. The wines are always in short supply so be swift. Visit their website and join their mailing list to get direct access to their wines.

Tasting Note

Bright gold/green color with a stream of fine bubbles. The aromatics are subtle but complex offering scents of bitter apple, peach stone, baked apples, and lemon zest with hints of iodine and bay leaf. The palate echoes the nose delivering an apple-driven core with waves of Asian pear, guava, and apple peel with bright citrus accents. Medium-bodied with abundant acidity that gives vibrancy while mild tannins give structure and length.