The ice cider Valverán 20 Manzanas 2021, made by Masaveu Bodegas at their cider mil in Sariego, Asturias, has been chosen the Best Speciality Cider at the International “World Cider Awards” Contest for the second year running.
Ciders from several countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, France, England, and Ireland, amongst others, have participated in the seven categories of the 2023 edition of this contest, with Valverán 20 manzanas being the only Spanish cider awarded with the gold medal in the “Speciality Cider” category.
The World Cider Awards, which are held in the United Kingdom, select, acknowledge and promote the “Best Ciders in the World” amongst consumers worldwide. This annual tasting is part of the renowned World Drinks Awards, which are presented by TheDrinksReport.com.
Valverán 20 Manzanas has won awards at other highly prestigious National and International contests such as Global Cider Masters, Gilbert & Gaillard, the International Hall of Gala Ciders, CINVE, the NAVA Cider Festival and Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition.
Valverán 20 Manzanas Ice Cider
Valverán was founded in 1998 however, this ice cider, the first and most exclusive ice cider on the Iberian Peninsula, wasn’t launched until 2007. The name Valverán 20 manzanas comes from the number of apples required to make each 37.5 cl. bottle, given that it contains the concentrated juice of a minimum of 20 apples.
This drink is achieved after a complex process of freezing at minus 20 degrees, fermentation for 10 months and aging on fine lees for 12 months. The complete process takes around two years from when the apples are collected until the bottle reaches the final consumer maintaining its initial fruit and sensorial qualities.
In order to achieve this exclusive and prized product, the visionary nature of José Masaveu, general manager of Masaveu Bodegas, was essential. This cider is his most personal project, involving almost 10 years of trials and tests. Of the five projects in Masaveu Bodegas, this is the only one that originates in their homeland of Asturias.
Today, 40 hectares of land, certified as organic and situated in the Protected Designation of Origin Cider from Asturias, on the El Rebollar Estate in Sariego (Asturias), with 20,000 apple trees growing 11 different varietals (Blanquina, Xuanina, Regona, Raxao, Fuentes, Collaos, De la Riega, Verdialona, Perico, Durona de Tresali and San Roqueña) make 20,000 limited edition bottles of this distinguished, nuanced ice cider. This fresh and surprising drink pairs perfectly with foie, cheeses and not very sweet desserts.
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Masaveu Bodegas
The Masaveu family first invested in the wine sector in 1974, when they purchased Bodegas Murua, however the family’s first vineyards date back to the middle of the 19th century, in Castellar del Vallés, where the family originates from and where Federico Masaveu Rivell began a journey to be continued one century later by his descendants.
Since then, Masaveu Bodegas has grown to become a reference in the sector, due to the quality of their winemaking in several DO´s and their sustainable philosophy and utmost respect for the land in their estate owned vineyards, thanks to which they transmit the unique personality of each terroir in every bottle. This being the common denominator in each and every project initiated by Masaveu Family Wineries in different parts of the country: Fillaboa (DO Rias Baixas), Leda (Wine from the Land of Castilla y León) Murua (DOCa Rioja) Pagos de Aráiz (DO Navarra), and Valverán (Asturias).
