Great Wines From Apples

The Wine Selector Magazine, Summer 2006-01-05

Great wine that reeks of the countryside does not necessarily have to come from grapes, as Tony and Susan Thorogood have proved. They set up their cider cellar from scratch in 1989. Tony is another great Burra character. He may not remember your name, but he’ll turn you into a disciple of the alcoholic apple before you know it. This orchard and apple winery is as far from the stainless steel and pumps of a modern winery as you can get. The production techniques are straight from Normandy or Somerset, using an Italian wine press and organic straw to squeeze the juice. The apples all have exotic varietal names such as Somerset Redstreak and Yarlington Mill. Tony, true to his individuality, christens his apple wines with evocative names like Sweet Panic and Black Fox.