Never waste backyard apples … or cereal-beer dreams

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This article was published 13/08/2022 (1500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF your apple tree is loaded down with fruit, Manitoba cideries might have options to help get rid of it.

In Winnipeg, Jesse Oberman of Next Friend Cider is always looking for apples (and other backyard fruit, particularly grapes). Oberman and a couple of volunteers are working on getting through a backlog of about 100 trees to be picked right now; if you’d rather not wait, he’ll gladly accept fruit being dropped off at Low Life Barrel House (398 Daly St. N.). For more see nextfriendcider.com.

Dead Horse Cider pays cash for apples, or will take them in exchange for juice. They also have a Backyard Blend community cider program which directs your apples towards the production of their cider of the same name. Hauling your apples out to the Winkler-area cidery would certainly be worth the trip, as their cozy new tap room and patio are well worth the visit — although you’re best to get in touch in advance rather than just show up with a trunk full of fruit. See deadhorsecider.com for more.

Further south in the province, Wooden Gate Cider is still only selling their wares from their website — they’ve not yet landed at Liquor Marts or private wine stores — but their website features a Manitoba tree/fruit registration form. Fill out the form (at wfp.to/woodengate), and they’ll be in touch to make arrangements from there.

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Local breweries are once again scouring the breakfast aisle of grocery stores for inspiration as the Cereal Bowl Challenge returns.

Participating breweries select a cereal of their choosing and brew a beer inspired by (and/or infused with) the cereal. The beers will be tapped and served starting on Friday, Oct. 7 at the respective breweries, with the public voting on the Untappd beer rating app as they sample each of the beers. The winning brewery gets their name on the Golden Cereal Bowl Cup and bragging rights.

If you’re curious on who’s taking part and what they’re making, check out the breweries’ social media accounts. Torque Brewing has posted that they’re going with Fruity Pebbles, Dastardly Villain Brewing Co. has opted for Count Chocula, while the winner of last year’s inaugural challenge, One Great City Brewing Co., has called dibs on Trix (which, in this case, is not for kids).

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Manitoba’s biggest wine tasting is shaking off the cellar dust, which has been gathering since 2020, and is once again ready to see the light of day.

The Winnipeg Wine Festival returns this fall, running from Sept. 17-24, with the mammoth public tastings happening once again at the RBC Convention Centre on Sept. 23 and 24. And while details on the ancillary WineDown events that run throughout the week have yet to be released, tickets for the big public tastings are on sale now for $69.95 plus fees. Check out winnipegwinefestival.com for more.

uncorked@mts.net

Twitter: @bensigurdson

 

Wines of the week

Hammeken Cellars 2021 Sedosa Organic Rosé (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain — $15.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Made from the Bobal grape (and maybe a splash of Tempranillo), this pale, organic, vegan rosé offers sweet peach, ripe pear, floral and fresh orange aromas. It’s off-dry and light-plus bodied, with peach and pear front and centre, some strawberry and raspberry candy notes and a relatively short finish. 3/5

Monção e Melgaço 2021 Muralhas de Monção (Vinho Verde, Portugal — around $19, private wine stores)

A blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura grapes, this Portuguese white offers green apple, lime, grapefruit and chalky notes on the nose. It’s dry, light-bodied and slightly spritzy, with the green apple skin, tart citrus and chalky notes showing well on the palate, with medium acidity and a lean and clean 12.5 per cent alcohol. A fun, lively example of Vinho Verde, but still with enough complexity that it grabs and keeps your attention. Available at Kenaston Wine Market, La Boutique Del Vino and Calabria Market. 4/5

Montes Alpha 2019 Casablanca Vineyard Chardonnay (Aconcagua Costa, Chile — $24.64, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Medium straw in colour, this stalwart Chilean Chardonnay from a single vinyard in a coastal region of the country brings big peach, pineapple, mango and vanilla notes, with some butterscotch coming from a portion of the wine being aged in barrels. It’s medium-bodied and dry, and on the slightly creamy palate the vanilla and butterscotch notes are front and centre, bringing richness to the peach, red apple and tropical fruit notes. While those who like big, rich and buttery Chardonnay will find enough to like here, the fruit seems to have faded a bit; a newer vintage might be in order. 2.5/5

Wakefield 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley/Limestone Coast, Aus. — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Made from grapes grown in two neighbouring wine regions, this Aussie Cab leads with cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus and slightly leafy notes, with underlying vanilla from time in French oak barrels. It’s full-bodied and ripe, with a focus on the pretty dark berry and eucalyptus notes that work well with the subtle wood influence, medium tannins and finish (it’s 14.5 per cent alcohol). A less edgy Cabernet Sauvignon than some of its New World counterparts — quite delicious and best drunk now, slightly chilled. 4/5