Eric Bordelet Sidre Brut Tendre

Bordelet farms heirloom Norman varieties the way great vignerons farm grapes — with obsession. Earthy, mineral, lightly sweet with fine natural bubbles. More Champagne than your local craft cider.

Bordelet farms 23 hectares of certified organic orchards, worked biodynamically, with around 20 apple varieties and 14 of pear. The oldest trees have stood for 40 to 50 years. The Loire winemaker Didier Dagueneau, a close friend, encouraged the move back to the family's corner of Normandy.

The making follows wine logic. Each apple variety is picked by hand and pressed on its own. Fermentation runs on wild yeasts, and Bordelet racks the juice several times, which clarifies it and slows the ferment. That slowing shapes the semi-dry style the name 'Tendre' signals.

Serve it well chilled, on its own before dinner or straight through the meal. At cider strength, it also lets everyone keep a clear head.