r/perry_pearcider

Adam has written a great book on Perry and for the first time - international. Perry must be the drinks world's best kept secret. -
Published by CAMRA ( Campaign for Real Ale) the book is Perry: A Drinker's Guide . The book discusses the styles, flavours, varieties, countries, regions and producers behind this fascinating drink. Whether long-standing perry fans like myself or those discovering perry for the very first time, the book offers a treasure trove of information.
It not all Babycham, in fact quite the opposite. Perry by its very nature is made predominantly by many small producers. Seek them out in your neck of the woods.

Apples are definitely the star fruit for painters esp given the Medieval belief the apple was the Forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. Pears usually have a supporting role. So it’s great to see paintings where pears are the star. Five Pears, by William Scott an Ulster painter, 1976. He was born in Scotland, of Irish and Scottish parents and was brought up in Ulster. He studied at Belfast College of Art, 1928-31, and The Royal Academy, 1931-5. In
1937-9 he lived in the south of France and was influenced by Georges Braque. His work was mainly still-life, but sometimes pure abstracts. In the late 1960s and 1970s his style became more austere. British Council collection

Perry or cider which one should I choose?
Medical bits - both are alcoholic so drink in moderation.
Perry contains more fibre and sorbitol which helps with constipation, in moderation.
Perry (pear cider) and apple cider share fermentative technique but differ in aroma, texture, sugar profile and food compatibility. But they differ in -
Fruit character: Perry brings floral, stone-fruit and honeyed pear notes; apple cider has bolder tart-crisp characteristics.
Acidity and tannin: Apple ciders often show brighter acidity and, if made from tannic apples, more astringency. Perry tends to feel rounder and silkier with lower perceived acidity unless from really tannic perry pears.
Sweetness and body: Pear ferments can result in softer mouthfeel and medium body from the sorbitol. Ciders will be bone-dry unless fermentation in halted.
Aromatics: Perry often gives perfume-like floral and spice esters; apple cider yields green-apple, orchard, caramel or baked-apple aromas depending on apple mix.
Carbonation - both can be still or carbonated by a variety of methods.
Enjoy both.

Birds of Beau Vista Orchard, Wairarapa Aotearoa/New Zealand. We have all heard of a “partridge in a pear tree”, how about a “Kererū in a damson tree”? This one visited Beau Vista orchard yesterday. The Kererū, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae or the New Zealand wood pigeon, is native to New Zealand. Considered a taonga (cultural treasure) to the Mãori people, the kereru was historically a major food source in Mãori culture. However, due to the decline in its population since mammalian pests were introduced hunting is illegal. Customary use of kereru is restricted now to the use of feathers and bones obtained from dead birds collected by DOC. In 2018, the kereru was designated Bird of the Year by the New Zealand organisation Forest & Bird, and in 2019, the exoplanet HD 137388 b was renamed Kereru in its honour. #kererū

Orchard succession planning. We need more perry pears! Long term process. The scion wood for our single variety perry pears have been taken in the cool evening temperatures, cut ends sealed with pruning paste and placed in the fridge. They will be grafted on in a few weeks (probably six) when the sap starts rising in the rootstock which was planted in early winter.
These precious spurs are only of last years growth and will be splice grafted. #perry #cider #Wairarapa #Aotearoa #NewZealand #Grafting