Honey, Fruit & Grape Varietals Glossary
Explore sugar levels (Brix %), acid profiles, tannin structures, and flavor pairings.
Fruit
13.5° Brix
Apple (Dabinett Cider Apple)
Acid Profile
Low Malic
Tannin Level
High (Bittersweet)
Flavor Notes: Rich astringent apple tannins, full mouthfeel, traditional English cider profile.
Best Pairs: Traditional English Dry Cyser, Heritage Cider
Fruit
11.0° Brix
Apple (Granny Smith)
Acid Profile
High Malic
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Sharp crisp green apple acidity, clean refreshing finish.
Best Pairs: Tart Apple Cyser, Hard Cider
Fruit
11.5° Brix
Apricot (Blenheim)
Acid Profile
High Malic
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Intense apricot perfume, bright citrusy tartness, almond stone undertones.
Best Pairs: Apricot Melomel, Belgian Saison Braggot
Fruit
13.0° Brix
Blackcurrant (Cassis)
Acid Profile
Very High Citric/Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Pungent aromatic blackcurrant, tart acidity, robust structure.
Best Pairs: Blackcurrant Melomel, Cassis Wine, Dessert Mead
Fruit
11.5° Brix
Black Raspberry
Acid Profile
Citric & Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Deep dark color, earthy tart berry notes, rich seed tannins.
Best Pairs: Heavy Reserve Melomel, Dark Berry Port
Fruit
8.5° Brix
Cranberry (American)
Acid Profile
Quinic / High Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Sharp puckering tartness, astringent skin tannins, vibrant ruby juice.
Best Pairs: Holiday Spiced Cyser, Cranberry Melomel
Fruit
11.0° Brix
Elderberry (European)
Acid Profile
High Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Deep earthy, dark floral, medicinal, intense structure and color.
Best Pairs: Aged Country Wine, Dark Metheglin, Winter Tonic Mead
Fruit
15.0° Brix
Mango (Ataulfo)
Acid Profile
Moderate Citric
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Lush tropical sweetness, peach-mango aromatics, rich golden mouthfeel.
Best Pairs: Habanero Mango Melomel, Tropical Session Hydromel
Fruit
12.0° Brix
Marionberry / Blackberry
Acid Profile
Malic & Isocitric
Tannin Level
Medium
Flavor Notes: Rich dark berry flavor, vibrant ruby color, tart finish.
Best Pairs: Melomel, Country Berry Wine
Fruit
14.5° Brix
Passionfruit
Acid Profile
Very High Citric
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Exotic tropical perfume, piercing citrus acidity, golden orange color.
Best Pairs: Tropical Melomel, Passionfruit Mead, Session Seltzer
Fruit
10.0° Brix
Peach (Elberta)
Acid Profile
Malic & Citric
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Juicy stone fruit aromatics, soft velvety finish, sunny golden color.
Best Pairs: Peach Melomel, Summer Hydromel, Spiced Peach Cyser
Fruit
12.0° Brix
Pear (Bartlett)
Acid Profile
Low Malic (Sorbic)
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Delicate sweet pear aroma, soft buttery mouthfeel, unfermentable sorbitol body.
Best Pairs: Perry, Spiced Pear Melomel, Cyser
Fruit
13.5° Brix
Pineapple (Maui Gold)
Acid Profile
High Citric & Bromelain
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Bright sweet-tart tropical pineapple, rich aroma, digestive enzyme bite.
Best Pairs: Tepache Mead, Tropical Melomel, Coconut Hydromel
Fruit
13.0° Brix
Plum (Santa Rosa)
Acid Profile
High Malic (Skin)
Tannin Level
Medium
Flavor Notes: Tart skin snap, sweet juicy red flesh, almond pit aromatics.
Best Pairs: Plum Wine, Japanese Umeshu Style Mead, Spiced Melomel
Fruit
16.0° Brix
Pomegranate (Wonderful)
Acid Profile
High Citric/Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Deep crimson juice, puckering tartness, rich polyphenols and skin tannins.
Best Pairs: Pomegranate Melomel, Holiday Metheglin
Fruit
10.5° Brix
Red Raspberry
Acid Profile
High Citric
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Intense aromatic tart raspberry, brilliant garnet color.
Best Pairs: Framboise Melomel, Summer Fruit Wine
Fruit
18.0° Brix
Sweet Black Cherry (Bing)
Acid Profile
Moderate Malic
Tannin Level
Low
Flavor Notes: Deep purple color, juicy plum and dark sweet cherry profile.
Best Pairs: Heavy Sweet Melomel, Port-Style Cherry Wine
Fruit
14.0° Brix
Tart Cherry (Montmorency)
Acid Profile
Malic / High
Tannin Level
Medium
Flavor Notes: Bright cherry acidity, subtle almond note from pits.
Best Pairs: Viking Blod Cyser, Cherry Melomel
Fruit
12.5° Brix
Wild Blueberry
Acid Profile
Moderate Malic
Tannin Level
High
Flavor Notes: Intense wild blueberry aroma, skin tannins, deep indigo hue.
Best Pairs: Oak-Aged Blueberry Melomel, Blueberry Wine