What does a former sommelier see in an apple orchard?
For Éric Bordelet, the answer starts with variety and place. Encouraged by winemaker Didier Dagueneau, he returned to his family's orchards in Normandy in 1992 after working at Paris's L'Arpège.
For Bordelet, terroir matters as much in an orchard as it does in a vineyard. His apple trees grow over the schist and granite formations of southern Normandy, where differences in soil and growing conditions can influence the development of the fruit. He pays close attention to the character of each variety, when it ripens and how it contributes to the final blend.
Across his orchards, Bordelet grows around 30 cider-apple varieties. Bitter apples bring tannin and structure, sweeter varieties lend roundness, and acidic apples provide freshness.
His Sidre Brut Tendre brings that approach into the glass: gently off-dry, with ripe apple fruit, fine bubbles and refreshing acidity.
Low alcohol (5% abv) and the perfect aperitif or pairing for a cheese board.
