Eranomele Melaebbasta
Tom Oliver’s Just Because You Can, It Doesn’t Mean You Should is a bold, bottle-conditioned pét-nat cider from Herefordshire that defies expectations with its rich tannins and rustic charm. Crafted from a blend of traditional bittersweet apple varieties, this 2021 vintage delivers an earthy, effervescent experience that’s both unpredictable and deeply satisfying.
"Just Because You Can, It Doesn't Mean You Should" at glance
- Region: Herefordshire, England
- Alcohol: 5.7%
- Style: dry, sparkling (pet nat)
- Vintage: 2021
- Apple varieties: Blend including Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, Sheep’s Nose, and Ball’s Bittersweet
Cider flavour profile
- See: Orange-amber colour, vividly sparkling moussy and non-transparent (unfiltered)
- Smell: lively with natural tones of hay and grass
- Taste: dry, sparkling, medium acidity, medium-high tannins and sustained body; earthy notes, smokey aftertaste
Tasting Notes on "Just because you can it doesn’t mean you should"by Tom Oliver
It is always hard to know what to expect from a Tom Oliver cider, given Tom’s ability to make apples do things one would never imagine. In this case I found even less information than usual about this particular production and that got me even more intrigued. As is normally the case, the label doesn’t help much, but it does say something quite important: “Open carefully”. Very wise words. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t take them at face value, and the bottle did unexpectedly-and joyously-pop open before I was prepared for it. That, however, does not take anything away from the wonderful cider itself.
“Just because you can it doesn’t mean you should” is a wonderfully tannic sparkling pet nat cider with complex earthy notes, winter spices and a smokey finish. It lingers nicely on the palate with a harmonious mix of mild fruitiness, enjoyable tannins, and bursting frothy effervescence.
Food pairing
This is definitely a cider to enjoy with a nice meal. I can easily see “Just because you can it doesn’t mean you should” pairing well with mushroom risotto, or a caramelised onion tart. Alternatively, the good acidity in this cider would cut smoothly through crisp pork crackling or tangy aged cheddar.
