From: Aosta Valley, Italy
Varietal: All apple cultivars: Raventze, Croison de Boussy, Reine de Renetta, Groin de veau.
The name “Maley” comes from both an old Valdostano name for apple (Malus in Latin) and one of the pre-20th century names for Mont Blanc (Mont Malais). Maley is Gianluca’s revival of an old Valdostano tradition of cider-making that Mussolini quashed in the 1930s as part of his effort to eliminate anything not sufficiently “Italian” — cider being in the fascists’ view a French affectation. Maley is the only cider producer in Italy making artisanal cider with heirloom apples. (There are a few siderie in Alto Adige, but they are not using interesting apples and the results are ho-hum).
Tasting Notes: Touch of funk, a touch of fruit.
Pairing: A fun little Alpine picnic cider. Goes down easy by itself after climbing 4000 feet or with slices of sweet Prosciutto or lots of fresh cheeses. Alcoholic %: 3.5%.
