The Neige Premiere Ice Cider is a confusing wine. Made from McIntosh and Spartan apples, it has a bright, fresh apple juice aroma, then with some muskier notes and a hint of apple pie pastry coming off as well. The palate is similarly pleasant, with fresh apples, then slightly stewed fruit flavours coming off with a very clean, slightly tangy, drying cider like finish. It almost has a touch of quince jelly as well. I think it is a perfectly nice product. 88pts
The problem is why would you buy it? Costing £22 to £25 for a half bottle, it is firmly in good Tokaji and Sauternes territory, so I can't imagine anyone buying it as a dessert wine. If you want a sweet apple flavoured alcoholic drink, you could buy a 500ml bottle of good cider for a fifth of the price and if you just wanted a sweet apple drink, there is always apple juice to consider and you wouldn't be disappointed.
There is nothing wrong with this, I quite like it, and could see how it might be nice with a cheese board, but wouldn't ever consider buying a bottle as there are better products out there from the categories that this is trying, but not being overly successful, in inhabiting.
Neige Website
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