As a sommelier and brewer, I can confidently tell you that there is indeed a difference between apple wine and apple cider. While they both start with apples, the main distinction lies in their alcohol content.
Let's start with apple cider. It is a refreshing and often lightly carbonated beverage made from the juice of pressed apples. The apples are typically a blend of different varieties to achieve a balanced and flavorful profile. The juice is extracted by crushing the apples and then pressing the pulp to release the liquid. The resulting cider is naturally sweet, tart, and bursting with apple flavors. It is usually consumed fresh and unfermented, making it a non-alcoholic beverage.
On the other hand, apple wine is a fermented beverage made from apple juice that has undergone the process of alcoholic fermentation. This is where yeast consumes the natural sugars in the apple juice and converts them into alcohol. The fermentation process can be controlled to achieve a specific alcohol content. In the case of apple wine, it typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging from 8.5% and above.
The difference in alcohol content is the defining factor that sets apple wine apart from apple cider. Anything with an ABV above 8.5% is considered apple wine, while cider falls below this threshold. This distinction is similar to the differentiation between wine and grape juice, where wine is the fermented version of grape juice with a higher alcohol content.
It's worth noting that the production methods for apple wine and cider can vary. Some cider producers may choose to halt the fermentation process early to retain a lower alcohol content, resulting in a sweeter and less alcoholic cider. Others may intentionally ferment the cider for a longer period to create a drier and stronger apple wine.
In terms of flavor, apple wine can have a more complex and mature profile compared to cider. The fermentation process adds depth and complexity, similar to what happens when grapes are fermented into wine. Apple wine can exhibit characteristics such as fruity esters, floral notes, and even oak influence if aged in barrels.
So, in summary, the main difference between apple wine and apple cider lies in their alcohol content. Cider is a non-alcoholic beverage made from pressed apple juice, while apple wine is a fermented beverage with an ABV of 8.5% or higher. The distinction is similar to the differentiation between grape juice and wine.