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Simon Rogan praises fine cider as alternative to wine
A fine cider has been listed at Simon Rogan’s UK restaurants with the chef highlighting that it “pairs brilliantly” with dishes as an alternative to wine.
Rogan made the comments as he listed Showerings cider at his restaurants, including three Michelin-starred L’Enclume, one Michelin-starred Rogan & Co, Henrock in the Lake District and one Michelin-starred Aulis in London.
Showerings Cider aims to showcase the fine cider segment, stating its production “is close to viticulture in spirit and execution”. It is a dry and gently carbonated cider made from a blend of three vintages. Its sharp and sweet tasting notes make it suitable for pairing with a number of dishes. The brand is already served at Alain Roux’s Waterside Inn in Bray and at Tom Kerridge’s Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers.
Balance
Using the 2017, 2018 and 2021 vintages, the cider balances older and more mature vintages with younger ones to ensure a lighter body but with a depth of flavour. It uses late season Dabinett apples, an aromatic Somerset variety, from a single orchard in the county, which has ideal terroir and is less than seven miles from the cider mill in Shepton Mallet.
Cool fermentation is used to create the cider’s complex profile. This slow-moving maturation process uses wild and house yeasts to turn natural sugars into alcohol. Each batch of cider then rests and settles for a minimum of four months, to soften the sharp edges of tannins and acidities, although it said it can be years “before it achieves the requisite mellow fruitfulness and passes the exacting taste test”.
Simon Rogan said there was a “lovely synergy” between the fine cider brand and his restaurants’ ethos.
Pairing
He said: “Fine cider pairs brilliantly with food and it’s becoming increasingly acknowledged as a drink that can be enjoyed with a meal, as an alternative to wine.
“Showerings is a stand-out cider on the market which displays a delicate complexity that works so well with a range of flavours and food, be it my own dishes or with something more informal at home.”
Nick Showering, founder of Showerings Cider, said Rogan was “the pinnacle of culinary expertise”, and having someone of his “stature” support cider was “brilliant”.
He said: “(It) reflects the attention and originality that goes into every bottle of our triple vintage cider.”
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