Cider For Dinner, Darling?
While it’s clear that we love a good, fermented beverage, we are also huge fans of an incredible, intentional meal. Here’s a pro tip–pairing the right cider to the right meal can make the experience that much better, and actually helps enhance the flavors, bringing out all of the tasting notes.
We recently had some fun with burgeoning Chef Noah, and brought together some local friends for dinner, to try some unique dishes paired with some of our ciders.
We want to share with you some information on cider pairings and some insight on how to best pair your favorite Wheel Line cider!
Cider Pairing 101
It could be as easy as, “Cider pairs best with…” but, where’s the fun in that? Because as any hard-core (pun intended) cider fan knows, ciders are complex! Each one has a different flavor palette, body, and aging process, and therefore can pair uniquely. If you’re new to the game of detecting and enhancing flavor, then here are some simple methods to start with–
Slow Down and Savor
Take a sip and an extra moment to let your mouth explore different components! Is it sweet, juicy, dry? Do you detect other fruits or a specific spice? It can be different for everyone depending on their senses, but what notes did you discover?
Pair it Parallel
Putting similar flavors together is a great way to ensure that your cider compliments your meal. For example, coupling our Cherry Cider made with Bing cherries and a dessert apple blend with a slice of cherry cheesecake is sure to be a perfect match.
Don’t Let the Intensity Scare You
…Or lack thereof. Matching an intense or mild cider with a meal its equal can create a lovely harmony. Try pairing our spiced Rivets cider with a chipotle-marinated pork tenderloin!
On the Flipside
Once you’re a little more experienced, why not try contrasting flavors to really push your palette? Try pairing a rich, cheesy, red-sauce pasta bake with our IPC Hopped Cider. This can help you discover more tasting notes and create a contrasting balance.
When in Doubt
If you feel that your palette is not strong or mature enough to pick up individual tasting notes, that’s okay! When in doubt, choose a meal that you feel compliments the overall flavor of “apple.” We highly suggest poultry seasoned with sage, a butternut squash ravioli, or a charcuterie board with an assortment of soft cheeses!
If you are feeling gourmet, here are some more WLC pairing suggestions!
Our friends at Northwest Cider also created a very helpful guide on cider pairing that you can see here!
Cooking with Cider
You can incorporate your favorite Wheel Line cider into dinnertime outside of the glass! There are many ways to add cider into your classic recipes to create a special dish. Here are a couple recipes to start with and that we love.
Bon Appetit!
