Experiments with aging sur lie

[Matthew F.]

I'm experimenting a bit this year with different methods of aging on the lees. Has anyone tested the difference in flavor profile when comparing the two following methods:

In both cases assume 1/4 dose so2, wild yeast, and no so2 at bottling.

1) Aging sur lie roughly 9mo-1yr, then racking directly into bottles. Bottle condition. Age in bottle 6 months.

2) Racking directly into bottles at 1.000 or below. Bottle condition. Age 6mo in bottle.

I'm wondering if a difference in flavor would be expected? 

-Matthew

[O K]

Hi Matthew

I’d suggest a third split: same as 2) but age 18 months in the bottle. That extra 12 months makes a big difference, imho.

Regards

Olly

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[Johan Strömberg]

I have 2021 vintage still in the barrel with full lees (so about 15 months since fermentation started) and I have been quite amused how little it have affected to taste. I would have also assumed that there would be some side effects of very long full lees storage but there has been none. Also no SO2 added at any point so far so I kinda push it to the limit with this one. I taste once in every other months from the barrel and I think I’ll leave it until summer before bottling for extended sur lie period in the bottle.

As for sur lie period in bottle conditioned / method trad. ciders I have noticed that after two years flavours slowly starting to change for more toasty / softer side. One year is not enough if you want to have that kind of aromas. Currently I enjoy 2018 cider which I disgorged  just a couple of months a go. Still very fresh with some toasty elemenents. I also just tasted 2020 cider (bottled method trad. in 07/21 after being on full lees in the barrel for 8 months) and it is way too young to drink for my taste at this point.

My ciders are mainly crab apples / wild seedlings / old nordic varietals based so the juice / cider has a good amount of acidity and the cider will benefit from very long sur lie time almost in every case and the longer the better imo.

-Johan

O K <etaps...@gmail.com> kirjoitti 27.01.2023 kello 22.11:



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[Matthew F.]

Thank you Olly and Johan!