Some of the smartest country house restaurateurs have long realised that using their acres to produce speciality foods is a smart option to open up new revenue streams. No one has been more creative at this than William and Aisling O'Callaghan, at Longueville House, just outside Mallow, in north Cork, who have sold their produce both through the house and via Farmer's Markets.
Longueville has been producing a superb apple brandy more several years now, and have followed it with a beautiful cider from their 20 acres of apple trees, a mix of Dabinett and Michelin apples. The crushed apples are fermented for four months before filtration, carbonation and bottling, and what a handsome bottle the Longueville cider is, with a gorgeous copper label. The cider is medium-dry and very clean and refreshing, true-tasting and enlivening, unlike the sugary clag of commercial ciders. Highly recommended and, most especially recommended, is enjoying a glass in Longueville House itself.
You will find the Longueville House cider in good off licences and wine shops.
www.longuevillehouse.ie
