416:Cider Symphony w/Bach in a Bottle

416:Cider Symphony w/Bach in a Bottle

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist June 5, 2024 Duration: 47:26

Crank the Bach & Go Boating with Green Bench in Hand

Brian Wing of Green Bench Mead and Cider is a classical music fan. Green Bench is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida and Brian was recently on episode 398 which is a must listen. Usually, we wait a bit here at Cider Chat Central to have a guest back on, but when a delivery of cider arrived from Brian, with 4 select bottles, the opportunity arose once again have a chat.

A cider inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita Nr. 2

Single Varietals to Bach Chamber Blends

  • Black TwigAn Earthy Delight
    • Brian starts the conversation by discussing the Black Twig, a cider crafted from the 2022 crop. This cider showcases a unique blend of 80% Black Twig and 20% Chestnut Crab apples. Brian describes the Black Twig as having a peachy blush color with a flavor profile that includes low acidity, apple
Cider Chat Ep: 416 Black Twig - Bach in a Bottle
  • Redfield: The Rosé of Ciders
    • The Redfield, a single varietal cider made from 100% Redfield apples. Known for its vibrant red flesh, this cider offers a stunning color and a flavor profile dominated by cranberry and citrus aromas. Brian highlights the high acidity and minerality of this cider, making it a perfect rosé alternative for brunch or any occasion.
Cider Chat Ep: 416 Redfield Bach in a Bottle
  • Malus: A Flagship Cider
  • Brian introduces the Malus, a cider that he considers the flagship of Green Bench. This cider is a blend of 12-13 apple varieties, including Dabinett, Kingston Black, Chisel Jersey, Black Twig, Chestnut, and Hughes Crab. The result is a balanced and rounded cider with a complex flavor profile that pays homage to French ciders. With an alcohol by volume of just over 7%, the Malus is a versatile and drinkable cider.
Cider Chat 416 chef Brian and Ria - Malus and Bach
Celebrity Chef Brian Duffy loved the Malus – listen to this special ep: 401
  • Chaconne: A High Acid Symphony
    • The final cider discussed is the Chaconne, named after Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita No. 2. This high acid cider is a blend of Wickson, Yates, and Harrison apples. Brian describes the Chaconne as having intense pear and citrus aromas, a mouthwatering acidity, and a unique flavor profile that includes tropical fruit and a touch of black pepper. The label, featuring three robed skeletons playing violins, adds to the artistic and esoteric nature of this cider.

Listen to Johann Sebastian Bach's

Violinist Jascha Heifetz is featured via the link below

416 Bach by Jascha Heifetz 300x20
Album cover for Jascha Heifetz which features Bach Chaconne d-Moll aus der Partita Nr. 2

Contact for Green Bench Brewing, Mead & Cider

Mentions in this Cider Chat


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

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
377: Fable Farm Fermentory's Co-Evolution of Humanity & Apples | VT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:00
Fable Farm Fermentory's Co-Evolution of Humanity & Apples The Apple Calls Us In | Fable Farm, VT started 15 years ago... In this episode hear how brother's Jon and Christopher Piana found their way to Fable Farm and how…
376: Orchard & Cider Variety Research at WHNO | Vermont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard (WHNO) was created in 1997 This 22 acre farm with 8 acres of orchards on a hillside outside of Hardwick, Vermont in the town of Walden was founded by Todd Parlo and Lori Augustyniak. It i…
375: Cider's Low Carbon Footprint | Wildbranch Cider, Vermont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:51
Cedar Hannan began selling his ciders branded as "Wildbranch" in 2020. He both forages apples and has a small orchard planted that he planted four years ago on his farm based in Craftsbury, Vermont. The ciders are both w…
374: Bonus Episode! CCLive | NY Apple Camp News! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:04
Bonus Cider Chat Live on NY Apple Camp July 28th - 30th at the Ashokan Center in the Hudson River Valley (on the west side of river) is the first ever NY Apple Camp! Elizabeth Ryan of Stone Ridge Orchard who is producing…
373: Orchard Tips for Cold Climates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:17
Orchardist Ben Applegate on cold climate orchard care Ben is the Orchard Manager at Eden Specialty Cider based in northern Vermont and shares his insight on cold climate apple varieties and orchard tips. This chat took p…
372: The Science Behind Spontaneous Fermentation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:33
Cider and Spontaneous Fermentation The wild "ambient" yeast found on apples, in the air, on cider presses can all contribute to a spontaneous fermentation within the cider must, which is the juice that has been freshly p…
371: Save Your Back! Mechanical Harvesting of Apples [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Small, Medium and Large Scale options for Mechanical Harvesting of Apples Cornell University Associate Professor of Horticulture Gregory Peck Ph.D and Angry Orchard Head Cidermaker Joe Gaynor provide an in depth study of…
370: Innovative Ciders of Domaine Marois | France [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
Antoine Marois is Tantalizing the Taste Buds of Cider Fans On a sloping hill on the east side of the picturesque village of Cambremer sits Domaine Marois. The lead up to the home is formidable with a long drive that lead…
369: Baba Yaga & Holistic Orchards | NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:28
Discover Kordick Family Farm and Baba Yaga Hear from Dorsey and daughter Brittany, the mother and daughter team at Korkdick Family Farm with Baba Yaga as their guide. Dorsey is a long time apple fan and even attended Pet…
368: Who named this apple Northern Spy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:30
Spy Novels Step Aside for an Apple of a Tale The Northern Spy is a delightful apple used both for baking and cidermaking! At one time it was a major export commodity due to its lack of bruising when packed in barrels. As…