Hermit Woods Winery is a boutique winery with restaurant (& Sweet Mercy's Kitchen - a farm-to-table restaurant) nestled in the picturesque waterfront town of Meredith, New Hampshire. Hermit Woods was founded in June 2011 by three friends: Ken Hardcastle, Bob Manley, and Chuck Lawrence. They specialize in crafting a diverse range of wines, meads, and ciders using locally sourced, primarily organic fruits. While that may sound kind of funk, winemaker Ken Hardcastle is a national treasure when it comes to making no traditional fruit wines. Without question, Hermit Woods produces exceptional quality wines. Their wines all use local or New England fruit. Blueberries, apples, and all other manner of fruit to produce everything from extremely impressive dry and white wines, to exceptional ciders and sparkling wines. One of my "go to" wineries in New Hampshire.
The one thing I love about Hermit Woods is their uniqueness. And they have hit it out of the park with this sparkling wine. Hermit Woods Cirque de Strawberry is an exciting co-ferment of whole strawberries, wild low-bush blueberries, and a touch of whole rhubarb, fermented together.
“Strawberries and rhubarb grow together and ripen at the same time, making them natural partners," Ken told me. "Wild yeast draws out the fruit’s remarkable aromas, while a touch of blueberry adds color and depth. The result is bright, aromatic, gently sweet, and beautifully balanced. Some here in New England would say these are two flavors that simply belong together.”
The wine has been a huge seller for the little winery. With it's wonderful color, and terrific label. the wine has made believers out of New Englanders. “Strawberry Rhubarb wine is one of our most most popular sparkling wines—some of our guests return for it again and again. Its popularity inspired us to offer it three ways: still, lightly carbonated in cans, and fully sparkling as Cirque de Strawberry,” Bob Manley, in charge of sales and marketing, told me.
The wine opens with the smell of fresh strawberry rhubarb pie, a hint of bready yeast, followed by strawberry and rhubarb. There's also something more exotic in their. A hint of citrus, lemon and lime, as well as some tropical notes. On the palate those flavors come through again, as well as hint of Granny Smith apple, red cassis, and cranberry. The resulting flavor is intoxicating. The lemon and lime one smelled earlier comes through. There's a lovely note of zippy acidity that keeps this wine honest and refreshing. What could have been a flabby, sweet lollipop of a wine, instead stands as an off-dry rose' sparkler with fantastic structure and balance. It would stand out in any sparkling lineup. A terrific wine for celebrations, foods like charcuterie boards, Perfect for special occasions and great for Thanksgiving or Holiday gatherings.
Hermit woods has created a lovely sparkling rose' sparkling wine - with a twist. And that makes it eve more special.