The traditional rosé and prosecco have become symbols of Sunday brunch and pool time, and now cider lovers can get in on the action too.
Woodchuck Hard Cider, the brand that brought Americans back to the drink before Prohibition, has developed two new varieties to appeal to wine drinkers. Dry flavor and extra carbonation is another side of the company, which has been forging its own path since Vermont winemaker Greg Feiling began experimenting with apples in 1991.
Vermont Cider Company Brand Director Megan Skinner provides more information on two innovative strong ciders.
Megan Skinner: Woodchuck has always believed that hard cider is the link between beer, wine and spirits. In the past we have produced Belgian white wine or ciders like Hopsation for beer lovers and our latest offering is wine inspired.
MS: Bubbly Rosé has a fresh apple aroma and a fruity, fresh, smooth finish. It is pink in color, medium strength and carbonated. Bubbly Pearsecco has a light pear aroma and a crunchy pear flavor. It is a light straw color, rich in bubbles and heavily carbonated.
MS: From dry to sweet, Bubbly Rosé is a traditional semi-sweet cider. Bubbly Pearsecco is a fruity cider that falls somewhere between dry and semi-dry.
MS: Both packages are meant to communicate with the wine consumer, and the bubbles on the can convey a higher level of carbonation. Bubbly Rosé is packaged in hot pink to convey its color and personality, while Bubbly Pearsecco is packaged in baby blue.
MS: We recommend serving them in a stemless champagne glass at a cool temperature to really enjoy the bubble effect. Italian dishes go well with Bubbly Rosé and seafood goes well with Bubbly Pearsecco.
MS: Woodchuck’s Bubbly Rosé is made from a mixture of red apples, then sweetened with fresh fruit juice to make a balanced cider. Woodchuck’s Bubbly Pearsecco is a dry, sparkling pear cider with a clean, sparkling wine-inspired finish.
MS: Both varieties are free of gluten, high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients.
Pearsecco Mojito mixed with juice of 2 limes, 1 tsp. granulated sugar and 1 tbsp. A glass of rum, lightly stirred. Top with Pirsecco marmot and fresh mint.
Effervescent Pear and Cider Punch 2.5 oz. Pear juice, ½ oz. Vanilla vodka, ½ oz. Sugar syrup and Marmot Pearsecco. Add fresh pears for decoration.
This is the time of year when Texas homeowners are unhappy with their tax bills. But there’s some consolation here: According to a 2023 WalletHub report, the Lone Star state doesn’t have the highest property tax rates, and five states in the state pay more property taxes than Texas.
Hawaii topped the report with the lowest property tax rate — 0.29 percent — of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. With an average home value of $662,100, that means the average Hawaiian pays $1,893 a year in property taxes. At the bottom of the list (i.e. the states with the highest property tax rates), Texas is ranked 46th. The median home value in Texas is $202,600 and the property tax rate is 1.74%, meaning the average Texan pays $3,520 in property taxes.
The states that pay higher property taxes than Texas are Vermont (1.90%), New Hampshire (2.09%), Connecticut (2.15%) and Illinois (2.23%). New Jersey, ranked 51st with a tax rate of 2.47%, has the highest property tax rate. At this rate, New Jersey homeowners pay $6,057 for a house that averages $355,700.
Dr. Alex Combs, assistant professor of government and politics at the University of Georgia, says people should consider how much they can afford to pay in property taxes when deciding to move.
“At the end of the day, people are price sensitive, and property taxes are the visible cost of owning a home, funding public public services like education and public safety,” he explained. “People are looking for the best deal to reduce property tax if they have the opportunity.”
While Texas homeowners will feel the sting of property taxes, at least they can take some comfort in not having to worry about vehicle property taxes. Vehicle owners in Texas must pay their local tax collector a tax of 6.25% of the purchase price of their vehicle, but they do not have to pay vehicle property tax each year.
Plus, it’s not just Texas — WalletHub has determined that 23 other states and Washington, DC also have no vehicle property tax. Of the other states that pay property taxes on vehicles, Louisiana has the lowest rate at 0.10%. The state with the highest vehicle property tax rate is Virginia (3.96%).
Post time: Feb-23-2023