Manoir du Kinkiz, Cidre AOP Cornouaille Pur Jus, Brittany, France NV

Cornouaille AOP cider has a deep golden color, and is very aromatic. It is rich, mildly bitter-sweet, and leaves the mouth pleasantly refreshed. This is a cider that is all about pleasure. While it is thirst quenching, it is a great accompaniment to a meal, and can be easily incorporated in creating inventive cocktails.

Cornouaille occupies the southern fork of Brittany’s peninsula. The name Cornouaille comes from the Celtic tribe, Cornovii, which translates to “the peninsula people”. Kinkiz’s AOP Cornouaille cider is produced in accordance with all of the rules that help to distinguish this great terroir. These rules include restrictions on the varieties of apples allowed to be used, and strict controls over the method of production.

Early in life Hervé Seznec already knew his calling─ to produce great cider. At the age of 19 he replanted his 30 hectares (74 acres) of orchards with nearly 25 varieties of apples. He had an intense desire to make naturally sparkling, high quality cider, from his own orchards. Hervé’s passion to improve and innovate, is abundantly evident in his cider.

All the work at Manoir du Kinkiz is done with the utmost respect for nature. They use no herbicides in their orchards, and they allow indigenous plants and grass to grow between the trees. From the ladybugs that rid their orchards of insects, to the almost mystical darkness of the cellars where their AOP Cornouaille cider is aged in huge oak casks, Kinkiz is making a genuine attempt to return to the hands-on, artisan production methods of their ancestors.