2009 Cidre from E.Z. Orchards

by Nate Rafn

The Zielinski's recently announced the completion of their first batch of Traditional French Cidre.

E.Z. Orchards grows French, English, and Early American apple varieties for their new endeavor. The apples are harvested late in the season, pressed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks for up to six months. Natural bottle fermentation creates a bubbly effervescence- similar to sparkling wine.

The label features a simple, red apple graphic on the white backdrop. A brief description is typed on the back label.

McK Ranch unveils new dessert wine

Wine Review by Nate Rafn

Bettie McKibben, co-owner of McK Ranch, has just finished adhering all the labels to her new wine bottles. She's teamed-up with Illahe Vineyards to produce two wines with the McK Ranch label. The first was a 2008 Siegerrebe, a sweet, smooth white wine, limited to just 198 bottles.

The latest wine is called Ruby Red Dessert. It's a young Port-style wine, sold in a tall, slender, 375-milliliter bottle. The label has an elegant charcoal-colored background with images of grape leaves intertwined. A gold ribbon with the text "McK Ranch" stretches across the front and back.