Saxby’s Cider tasting notes and food pairings
written by Cheryl Cade, Beer & Cider Sommelier and International judge
Saxby’s Original Cider
Tasting notes
Saxby’s Original Cider uses a blend of bittersweet and dessert apples for a perfect balance of tannins and acidity.
First there is crisp apple which is followed by sweet rosy red skin apples. There is a touch of tannins which is then taken over by the sweetness before easing back into the dry dessert apple.
Food match
Roast chicken, ham on the bone, herby sausages, smoked haddock, crayfish salad, Thai curry, pulses and avocados, Eton mess, vanilla ice cream, English Cheddar cheese, Camembert, White Stilton, dry dessert apple.
Awards
Saxby’s 3 Point 9 Cider
Tasting notes
Our lighter alcohol cider, 3 Point 9 is a thirst-quenching, very versatile cider. Served ice cold, it’s perfect for a summer’s day.
It is well balanced with a blend of sweet apple flavours that refresh the taste buds, without being tart or boisterous. It ends dry and refreshing. There are hints of lemon running in the background and a crispness.
Food match
Fish and chips, cooked ham, pork sausages, mussels and cockles, prawn cocktail, creamy pasta dishes, soya, Lemon cheesecake, crepes, Somerset Brie, Young Dutch, Camembert.
Saxby's Rhubarb Cider
Tasting notes
Yorkshire rhubarb and Saxby’s Cider - a match made in sparkling cider heaven! A light cider with a balance of sweetness and acidity with a full rhubarb finish.
This is a well-balanced cider showcasing the best of both fruits but not disguising that this is a cider.
Food match
BBQ pork, gammon, roast turkey, chicken salad, Spanish tapas, cod, hake, crab salad, scampi, rice and couscous, Bakewell tart, red fruit sorbet, Wensleydale, Feta.
Saxby’s Plum Cider
Tasting notes
Saxby’s Original Cider has been blended with plum juice to create a mouth-watering medley of mists and mellow fruitfulness.
Red plum fruit sweetness that is well balanced with touches of tartness. The taste starts with a delicate mix of the plum skin tannins first, then progressing to a rich fleshy fruit. The fruit pairs beautifully with a delicate balance of apple, plum and damsons.
Food match
Spiced roasted pork, pheasant casserole, Peking Duck, duck pate, tuna, maple coated ham, chorizo, tomatoes, olives, sticky toffee pudding, malt loaf, Smoked Applewood, Gruyere, Emmental.
Saxby’s Blackcurrant Cider
Tasting notes
Saxby’s Original Cider blended with blackcurrant juice. This is our classic take on cider and black – bold and bursting with flavour. Real cider. Real blackcurrant from Herefordshire.
Blackcurrant builds but is not sweet, followed by a little tartness, it then ends with blackcurrant picked straight from the bush. Beautifully balanced.
Food match
Smoked chicken, liver pate, venison, ham, Chinese food, strong flavoured sausages, trifle, black forest gateau, Hard goat’s cheese, Vintage Cheddar, Wensleydale.
Saxby’s Strawberry Cider
Tasting notes
Saxby’s Original Cider blended with strawberry juice. Celebrate the summer with Saxby's Strawberry Cider.
The cider starts with the sweetness of apples followed by fresh field strawberries. It ends dry with red apples. There is a little surprising tartness so instead the strawberry sweetness dominating makes you want another sip. Perfectly balanced between apple and strawberry.
Food match
Pork with crackling, quail, gammon, white beans, potatoes, scallops, salted fish, Victoria sponge, Somerset Brie, White Stilton, Feta.
Saxby’s Mulled Cider
Tasting notes
When it’s cold outside, Saxby’s Mulled Cider is perfect! Just heat it gently to release the appley flavour and rich, spicy aromas of cardamom, cinnamon and star anise.Also try added to Prosecco for a festive drink. Available from the Autumn each year.
There is a blend of fresh apple mixed with the spices to the fore ending with the cinnamon closely followed by raisins.
Food match
Pork pie, spiced sausages, Middle Eastern food, mince pies, rich fruit cake, apple crumble, cranberries, nuts, strong Cheddar, Gouda.
Saxby’s Limited Edition Cider
Tasting notes
A still, table cider made using only hand-picked apples from our own orchards on the farm, which have been meticulously matured in old oak barrels.
This is a refined and elegant cider, harking back to the finest traditions of a barrel aged Normandy Cider in style. It is a finely balanced cider that is, sweet, sour yet still sharp. The tannins from the oak give hints of the vanilla present in the nose and also on the palate.
Food match
Roast chicken, BBQ pork, mussels, tuna, partridge, Cumberland sausages, haggis, aubergines, lentils, creme brulee, Epoisse, strong Cheddar.
SLOE GIN SLIDER
Tasting notes
Made from gin-infused sloes that are then steeped in our cider. The result is an 18% ABV smooth blend of sweetness and sloe bitters. It’s great on its own or as a long drink with elderflower presse, ice and a sprig of mint or with ginger ale. Try adding to Prosecco to make a delicious blush.
Food match
Game pie, smoked ham, Beef sausages, all pork dishes, chicken pie, Chinese pancakes, red fruits, lentils, Bakewell tart, Rochefort, fruit/chilli cheese.