Tipsy Tastes: Wolffer Cider & Gin

(This article first appeared in the November 22, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper as part of my Tipsy Taste series)

Wölffer Estate has long been known for its wine and has received national recognition for its Summer in a Bottle. But the iconic brand has expanded its flavoring to libations of a different sort — cider and gin.

Rosé all day takes on a different note with Wölffer Estate’s Dry Rosé Cider that’s 6.9% ABV (alcohol by volume). With 100 percent New York State apples – five percent grown at Bridgehampton’s Halsey Farm and 95 percent from DeFisher Fruit Farms close to Rochester — it’s an aromatic blend. Jonagold, Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Idared, Gold Rush, and Northern Spy are all chosen for their dessert flavorings in the mix. The sweetness of a rosé yet subtle tartness of a traditional cider give it a blend leaving you wondering whether it’s summer or fall.

Double the flavor, double the fun! Wolffer’s Dry White Cider, paler in color, retains more of the traditional cider you’d expect but with the magic touch on the palate that the estate is famous for. This blend is 100 percent made with Halsey Farm apples, found a mere 4.6 miles away from the vineyard. The mix adds in a little less sweet and more of a crisp flavor with Red Delicious, Jonagold, Idared, Fuji, Empire, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Gala, Asian Pear, and others.

Both are crafted in a 355 ML bottle, which can be purchased on-the-go individually or in a four-pack at any of the brand’s locations.

Prefer gin over cider and wine? Wölffer’s got it — with that rosé touch. Its Pink Gin, distilled on property, uses the rosé as the base, followed by juniper berries picked from bushes on the estate itself. Anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, cardamom, and fresh mint from the garden are all added together in a copper pot from Germany. As a final touch, a small amount of red grape skin extract is added to give it that iconic pink coloring. The estate’s winemaker and partner, Roman Roth, said, “Using our rosé wine as the base gives us a clear advantage over grain-based gins. The aroma is much more playful and fruit-driven, and because of our strict and more generous cuts, we have a fine gin!”

Sold in two bottle sizes, 750 ML or 375 ML, bring it home with you.

While the ciders and gin can be taken anywhere, for those who’d rather stick to the classic wine list, all alcoholic beverages can be savored at the numerous Wölffer locations throughout the Hamptons.