Some apples are made for eating. Others are made for cider. The Michelin cider apple is firmly in the second group, and it’s one of the cider apple varieties growing in our orchard at Spreyton in North West Tasmania.
Our family has grown apples here since 1908, and we’re now five generations in. Here’s a closer look at this old French variety, what it brings to a glass of Tasmanian cider, and where you can see it growing.
What is a Michelin cider apple?
Michelin is a traditional bittersweet cider apple from France. It was introduced to England in the late 1800s and went on to become a favourite with cider growers.
It has plenty of tannin and not much acid. That mix makes it ideal for smooth, well-balanced cider.
The trees are also very productive. Growers love a tree that crops well, which is a big part of why Michelin is so popular in cider orchards.
What does bittersweet mean?
Cider makers describe apples by how much acid and tannin they have.
- Acid gives cider its fresh, tangy bite.
- Tannin is the dry, slightly grippy feeling you get from strong black tea or red wine.
A bittersweet apple like Michelin is high in tannin and low in acid. A sharp apple is the opposite: tangy, with very little tannin. Most traditional ciders use a mix of both.
Can you eat a Michelin apple?
You can, but you probably won’t go back for a second bite. Michelin apples have a mild, bittersweet flavour, so they’re rarely eaten fresh. They really come into their own once they’re pressed.
How we use Michelin apples at Spreyton
We blend Michelin apples with sharper Tasmanian varieties. The sharper apples bring freshness. Michelin brings body and a fuller, rounder finish.
On its own, Michelin makes a light, golden cider with a soft, tannic finish. In a blend, it helps us make full-bodied, well-rounded ciders in the traditional style.
It’s how we’ve always done things. We grow the apples, then turn them into cider right here on the farm.
Walk the Cider Block at the Spreyton cellar door
Reading about apples is one thing. Walking among the trees is better.
When you visit the Spreyton cellar door, you can stroll through our Cider Block. It’s where we grow the heritage cider apples that go into our award-winning ciders. Keep an eye out for the variety signs as you go, including the one for Michelin.
Heritage apples, modern growing
This land has been shaped by orchards for more than 140 years, and the way we grow has changed a lot in that time.
The Cider Block is a good example. The apples are heritage cider varieties, but the trees are grown on a modern central leader trellis. That means each tree is trained up one main trunk, with a trellis to support it. Old varieties, new know-how.
Trees planted around 1890
Some of our oldest trees were planted around 1890, and they’re still producing fruit.
Back then, growers had no irrigation, no fertilisers and no dwarfing rootstocks (the roots that keep modern trees smaller). So the trees grew much bigger and needed a lot more room. Stand beside them and you’ll see the difference straight away.
Why is one row a mix of varieties?
We’d love to tell you it’s all about cross-pollination. Honestly? We had some leftover trees, so we planted them all in the one row.
Plan your visit
The Spreyton cellar door is at 6 Melrose Road, Spreyton, on our family’s Tasmanian apple orchard. It’s about 15 minutes from Devonport and the Spirit of Tasmania, and it’s on the way to Cradle Mountain.
While you’re here, you can:
- Try a tasting paddle of our ciders
- Let the kids try our juices
- Stay for a meal at the Orchard Kitchen
- Let the little ones burn off some energy in the playground and enjoy and icecream
Travelling with a caravan? There’s easy parking for day visits, so we’re a simple stop on your way off the ferry or before you board.
We make more than cider, too. Our range includes ginger beer, Spreyton Fresh juices and sparkling drinks, vinegars and small batch spirits, so there’s something for everyone in the car.
Can’t get to Tasmania just yet?
You can still enjoy a taste of the orchard at home. Browse our ciders and shop the Spreyton range online..
Visit Spreyton Cider Co
Come and experience Spreyton for yourself. Enjoy seasonal Tasmanian food, cider tasting paddles, craft beer, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks, sparkling water and fresh apple juice beside our working family orchard.
Spreyton Cider Co is located at 6 Melrose Road, Aberdeen, Tasmania 7310. Only 10 minutes from Devonport or Latrobe.
Cellar door: Open daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and until 8.00pm on Friday nights
Kitchen: Lunch daily from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm and Friday dining from 11.30 am to 7.00 pm
Contact: Call us on (03) 6427 3664 or visit the website: spreytonciderco.com.au or email hello@spretyonciderco.com.au
Plan your visit, book a table or shop the Spreyton range online.
