The Lasnier family has deep roots in Québec’s apple-growing history. Since 1927, the family-run orchard had been producing table apples for the province’s fresh market, transitioning into fermenting the fruit under the name of Les Vergers de la Colline from 1987. In 2015 a new generation took on leadership, changing the company’s name to Cidrerie Milton and diversifying the cider portfolio to accommodate the burgeoning market — including the Cid line of ciders, inspired by the craft beer industry and packaged in 12-ounce bottle four-packs.
Story has it the Cid Rosé would have never come to be if a crow hadn’t grown tired of the orchard’s Dolgo crab apples, the crimson red crab that exudes the color of its skin during maceration to turn this sip pink. Honeycrisp and Cortland apples also make up the bill, altogether producing a nose of red berry fruit, raspberry leaf and a twinge of candied citrus peel. Berry-toned sweet tarts pop on the palate, fleshing out into an off-dry cider with lavish texture, finishing with a crunch of acid and citrus.