Sullivan’s Jumpin’ Cider

The Sullivan’s Jumpin’ Cider is made by a winemaker but is not what you would expect from a cider by an Aussie winemaker. There is something very different about this cloudy cider.
It’s been hard to find much information about this cider. I’ve reached out to the cider maker Patrick Sullivan but at the time of publishing, I haven’t had a reply to my questions. What I have been able to find out is, that the apples that are used in this cider are all from pretty old trees by Australian standards. Most of them are over 50 years old and all of them are organically grown in the Gippsland region of Victoria.

Sullivan’s winemaking technic often involves concrete eggs. Now if you haven’t seen one of these, imagine a concrete chicken egg about as tall as your next door neighbours’ dad or any other average sized dude. The idea is that the shape naturally lends itself to encouraging the fluids inside to move about during fermentation. The movement means more contact with the solids like apple flesh and lees. All done in the quest for more richness of flavour.

The Nose

Sullivan Jumpin’ Cider is pretty restrained and low-key. The only scents are illusions to an apple cider, vinegar, pine needles and juicy red apples. Equal parts intreging and inviting.

The Taste

Where the smell of Sullivan’s cider was restrained, the taste is anything but. Bold apples and tart red berries fight for your attention. Yeast and its treatment on the juice is probably the standout feature of Sullivan’s Jumpin’ Cider. It highlights the sharpness, while spinning out acetone and liquorice elements. It’s as cloudy as a “sunny” day in England. The cloud gives it plenty of texture which gives a pleasing contrast to the sharp acids.

Final Thoughts on the Sullivan’s Jumpin’ Cider

This isn’t your typical easy drinking cider. It is going to appeal to people like me, people who want to see what the range of flavours that a cider can offer. It’s one for the adventurous, maybe the natural wine drinkers. Probably the most unique taste I’ve had this year.

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