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
337:  Étienne Dupont on Tasting Calvados | Domaine Dupont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:27
Calvados with Étienne Dupont | Domaine Dupont Étienne Dupont took over the Domaine Familial Etienne Dupont in the Pays d'Auge region of Normandy France from his father Louis and grandfather Jules in 1980. Episode 098: Jé…
336: Cider Yeast Choices with Fermentis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:47
Fermentis Offers 4 Cider Yeast for Makers Anne Flesch Regional Sales Manager and Technical Sales Support Manager at Fermentis helps us sort through the magical world of yeast and fermenting cider. And she also address 3…
335: Josiah Bartlett Apple Brandy | Flag Hill Winery & Distillery, NH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:44
New Hampshire's Oldest Distillery | Flag Hill Brian Ferguson is a Pennsylvania native who came to Flag Hill via the Cayman Island and ever since both he and his wife Maggie have continued to transform what was once a far…
334: Laird's & Co. Apple Jack & Brandy Barrel Aging | Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:08
How the Laird Family honed the making of Apple Jack In Part 1 of this two part series on Laird's & Company, we met with 9th generation Lisa Laird Dunn. Lisa is the COO and Global Ambassador of this family business. In th…
333: Laird's Apple Distilling History 1698 - 2022 | Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
America's Oldest Distillery is Laird's & Company Lisa Laird Dunn and Cider Chat MC Ria Windcaller had a sit down chat at the main offices of Laird's & Company in Scobyville, New Jersey. They met in what was once the Lair…
332: Cider Planet (2022) w/author Claude Jolicoeur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:44
The inspiration behind Cider Planet With author Claude Jolicoeur on this newest book that is being released on September 23, 2022. Claude has authored to previous books on cider. Du pommier au cidre The New Cider Maker's…
331: Bodacious Ciders, Cookbook & Treats | Carr's Ciderhouse, MA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
Nicole Blum of Carr's Ciderhouse will be one of 6 celebrated women in cider speaking at the November 5th Cider Dinner at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the Cider Dinner go live on September 3, 2022. S…
330: Let's Go To Apple Camp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
CiderDays 2.0 ~ November 4th & 5th, 2022 at Hawks and Reed Performing Art Center in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Sign up now for the eCiderNews to receive notifications to your in box on CiderDays 2.0 schedule of events an…
329: Cider Heroine Judith Maloney  | West County Cider, MA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
CiderDays 2.0 Cider Dinner on November 5, 2022 with 6 outstanding women producers from the east coast at the Hawks and Reed Performing Art Center in Greenfield, Massashusetts. Dine with Judith Maloney of West County Cide…
328: Chef Paul | Author, Maker & CiderDays OG [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:03
News on CiderDays 2.0! Orchards can be as small as 2, 5 or 10 trees. Get tips on how to manage a small scale orchard at CiderDays 2.0 with John Bunker on November 5th at 9am. Get updates and ticket information by followi…