Flagship – Heirloom Series

Size: 750 mL
Alcohol: 7.1% alc./vol.
SKU: 142174
Packaging: Clear champagne glass; crown closure with a flip top for re-closure.

Flagship is a first: a Vancouver Island cider free of added sulphites. Fermented at cool temperatures with champagne yeast, this German-style ultra-dry cider offers herbal notes of lemongrass and Island fields. Raise a glass of Sea Cider and let your apples be free!

The Story:

Flagship earned its name as it was the first cider we produced and it is as pure as cider gets. Flagship is one of only a handful of ciders in the world free of added sulphites, and was the very first fully-certified organic cider in North America. It is a German-style of cider, meaning it is very acidic, which is achieved by fermenting high-acid apples. It offers herbal notes of lemongrass, citrus and fresh apple skins. Flagship is a single varietal cider, made solely with Calville Blanc apples grown for us on a Sea Cider-leased orchard in British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley. These apples are prized in the French culinary community for their spicy aromatics and acidity.

How we make this cider:

Flagship is produced by milling and juicing Calville Blanc apples then pitching a Champagne yeast which can tolerate highly acidic juice at cool fermentation temperatures. Because there are no sulphites to control oxidation and spoilage, the production team must take extra precautions in apple selection and washing, aging and bottling. Fermentation and aging take place in our stainless steel tanks, which helps to preserve its sharp citrus character.

Suggested Food Pairings:

Mild and unripened cheese, such as Gouda, Edam, Wensleydale; delicate poultry dishes, seafood, risotto; fish and chips or sushi (easy on the wasabi).

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Gently effervescent, light, clear.
Aromas, flavours: Smokey, citrus, herbaceous, overripe apple smell.
Acid/sweetness: Pronounced acidity, ultra dry.
Mouthfeel: Soft astringency.