Poiré

Domfront poiré is the delicate, sparkling face of the pear: pour it cool and it comes up pale gold with a fine, lively bead and a soft floral nose of ripe pear, honey, elderflower and spring blossom over a faint grassy freshness. The palate is light and rounded, carried by a clean natural acidity and, from the sorbitol in the tannic Plant de Blanc pears, a lingering sweetness and smooth mouthfeel that persists even when the drink ferments dry, so poiré tastes softer and less sharp than cidre of the same strength. A gentle tannin from the perry pears adds a light grip and a quince-and-almond note, while the fine bottle-conditioned mousse — more insistent than a still English farmhouse perry — carries the aromas and scrubs the palate, closer to a light sparkling wine than to a soft drink. Throughout, poiré stays subtle and aromatic rather than bold — a quiet, honeyed, blossom-scented Norman drink best served cool.