Biddenden Vineyards has announced the launch of the UK’s first naturally coloured sparkling cider, Red Love®, which is available now in 500ml bottles across Kent, Sussex, and South East London, in time for the summer cider season. Red Love® sparkling cider follows the launch of Biddenden’s first range of carbonated 500ml bottled ciders, Biddies, earlier this year. The medium, 5% ABV cider has a natural rosé blush and an intense, crisp apple flavour owing to the Red Love® variety which are naturally red skinned, red fleshed apples.
Julian Barnes, Managing Director at Biddenden, said: “We are proud to have been exclusively using the Red Love® apple since November 2015. The sparkling cider is set to be a successful addition to the Red Love® range which already includes a juice, in 1ltr and 250ml bottles, and a still bag in box cider.”
The unique single-varietal cider is being exclusively produced in Kent by Biddenden, in conjunction with AG Thames, the only company with the rights to grow the variety in the UK for commercial purposes, and East Malling Research, where the trees are planted.
The Biddies range, including Red Love®, have been crafted following the traditional Barnes family recipe, which has been perfected at Biddenden for over 45 years, giving a truly refreshing appley experience and sensational true cider.
Francis Wheatley, Technical Manager at AG Thames, said: “Other red ciders and apple juices on the UK market tend to be coloured with ingredients, but the Red Love® variety naturally produces a beautiful ruby red juice when it is pressed and filtered, giving the cider its special tint.”
Image credit: Biddenden Vineyards