The 2022 Valverán 20 Apples ice cider, produced by Masaveu Wineries at its cider house in Sariego, Asturias, has been chosen as the Best Speciality Cider at the international “World Cider Awards” for the third consecutive year.
In the seven categories of the 2024 edition of the competition, ciders from various countries such as Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, among others, participated, with Valverán 20 Apples being the only Spanish cider awarded the gold medal and recognized as the best in the “Speciality Cider” category.
The World Cider Awards, considered the Oscars of Cider and held in the United Kingdom, select, reward, and promote the “Best Ciders in the World” among consumers worldwide. This annual tasting is part of the renowned World Drinks Awards, which are presented by TheDrinksReport.com.
Valverán 20 Apples has received recognition and awards in other prestigious national and international competitions, such as Global Cider Masters, International Wine & Spirit Competition, Gilbert & Gaillard, International Cider Gala, CINVE, Nava Cider Festival, and Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition.
20,000 apple trees of different varieties
Llagares Valverán, located on the El Rebollar estate in Sariego, was founded in 1998 by José Masaveu, Managing Director of Masaveu Wineries. However, it was in 2007 that this ice cider was born, with the Masaveu family becoming pioneers in the production of ice ciders on the Iberian Peninsula. The estate where the apples used to produce Valverán 20 Apples are grown is the largest apple orchard in Asturias and in all of Spain when it comes to native Asturian varieties. It is the only Asturian cider house that exclusively produces this category of cider on its premises.
The name Valverán 20 Apples comes from the number of apples needed to produce each 37.5 cL bottle, as it contains the concentrated juice of at least 20 apples. Masaveu Wineries increased its production by 36% in the latest vintage, which was released to the market in March of this year, with only 27,540 bottles produced.
The production of this beverage involves a complex process, beginning with the harvesting of native Asturian apples, hand-selected, washed, and inspected one by one. Six main varieties of Asturian apples are used: Raxao, Durona de Tresali, Verdialona, De la Riega, Xuanina, and Fuentes. The apples are then crushed and pressed, and the juice obtained is settled in stainless steel tanks through cooling. Once clarified, it is frozen at minus 20 degrees. After separating the ice from the juice, the resulting essence ferments for 10 months at a temperature of 10ºC and then rests for eight months in stainless steel tanks on its lees.
It is a slow production process that requires time and patience; in fact, two years pass from the harvesting of the apples at the cider house to the commercialization of this ice cider.
Today, the estate has 40 hectares registered as organic, located in the Protected Designation of Origin Sidra de Asturias, specifically at Finca El Rebollar in Sariego (Asturias). There, 20,000 apple trees of different varieties allow the production of this distinguished ice cider full of nuances.
It is a fresh and surprising beverage that pairs perfectly with foie, cheeses, and lightly sweet desserts. It has aromas of citrus, orange peel, apple, and quince, and on the palate it shows a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness, with an acidic finish that gives it great freshness.
Purchase Valverán 20 Apples 2022
About Masaveu Wineries
The Masaveu family began investing in the winemaking sector in 1974, when they acquired Bodegas Murua, but the family’s vineyard plantings date back to the mid-19th century, specifically in Castellar del Vallés, where the family originates and where Federico Masaveu Rivell started the steps that a century later would be continued by his descendants.
Since then, Masaveu Wineries has grown steadily with a strong commitment to quality in the production of its wines across different DOs, embracing an ecological philosophy and utmost respect for the land, where it owns its own vineyards, allowing them to convey the unique personality of each terroir in every bottle. In this way, all of Masaveu Wineries projects across different parts and regions of the country come together under a common denominator: Murua (DOCa. Rioja), Fillaboa (DO. Rías Baixas), Pagos de Araiz (DO. Navarra), Leda (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León), and Valverán (Asturias).
