Wassail – Barrel Series

Size: 750 mL
Alcohol: 14.0% alc./vol.
SKU: 206904
Packaging: Clear champagne glass; crown closure with a flip top for re-closure.

Waes Hail! To your health! Spiced with orange peel and cloves, our Wassail spiced cider harkens back to the wassailing tradition of drinking spiced cider and singing to the apple orchard. This scared away evil spirits to ensure a bountiful harvest. Raise a glass of Wassail to good health, a good harvest, and good cider!

The Story behind the label:

Wassailing refers to the Anglo-Saxon winter celebration that involves drinking and singing to the health of an orchard; an ancient practice originating in southern England that is still performed at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse today. The purpose of wassailing is to awaken the cider apple trees and scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest. Wassailing also refers to the tradition of raising a glass with good friends and neighbours in celebration of the season.

How We make this cider:

Wassail is a winter “warming” cider; in other words, rich in flavour, deep in colour, and high in alcohol to warm the soul and befitting of a winter wassailing celebration. We follow the Anglo-saxon method of creating a spiced cider for the wassailing tradition by preparing cinnamon, clove and orange peel bitters that we age in oak barrels then blend into a cider we have pressed and fermented from the best of British Columbia apples.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Rich amber, gently effervescent
Aromas/Flavours: Candied orange peel, hints of clove, gingerbread
Acid/Sweetness: Semi-sweet, good acid balance

Food Pairings:

This winter warmer is perfect just as is, or paired with your favourite seasonal dishes. The candied orange peel, gingerbread aromas and hints of clove and cinnamon make this perfect for pairing with sausages, sausage meat stuffing, roasted pork, duck and of course, turkey. A great fit for all your traditional sides too: garlic mashed potatoes, braised winter vegetables, and roasted turnips. The spices ensure it’s also ideal with strong cheeses, apple pie, apple crisp, pumpkin pie and Figgy Pudding.