233: "OMG" Russian Cider | Part 2

233: "OMG" Russian Cider | Part 2

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist August 5, 2020 Duration: 42:08

OMG and the story of two sommeliers!

Meet Olga and Micheal Efremov are Russian Sommeliers with two cider brands, OMG and Incider.

Michael & Olga Efremov of Incider - Russian cider Michael and Olga Efremov

They are based outside of Moscow in a small town, but close enough to work with restaurants in the city. Micheal is the cidermaker and Olga, the educator, leading tasting workshops.

During this chat recorded in February of 2020 at Cidrexpo, Olga discussed the apple variety known as "Antonovka".

She says it is difficult to make a single varietal cider from this apple because of the lack of aromas. Antonovka is used widely in the US as a rootstock for growing other apple varieties because Antonovka is so vigorous.

Labels from OMG and Incider. Note the first label features a painting from Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

Listen to a special episode on Cider Chat featuring the era of the Mannerist painters and the current Omni Era of Cider.


Russian Cider Baba Dash 2019 - episode 233

Mypysar label - Russian Cider 233

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Mentioned on this Chat

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There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

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