Pomme-ade

Need a change from your standby rosé? My friend Francis popped open a bottle of this lovely cider for his birthday celebration on Saturday. It has 5.3% alcohol content, but there's nothing hard about this cider. Made from Redfield apples grown in the Berkshires, it's gently bubbly with a round sweetness and a soft mouthfeel. Isn't it pretty in the glass? Like sipping amber perfume. It was perfect between bites of squeaky sheep's milk gouda. I've got to get some for our annual summer trip to Hudson. According to the website, West County Cider is an artisanal cider made with heirloom apples grown using Integrated Pest Management. It's available at Williamsburg's Uva Wines and Spirits for $15.