The Valverán 20 Apples 2021 ice cider, produced by Masaveu Wineries at its cider mill in Sariego, Asturias, has been named the Best Specialty Cider at the international “World Cider Awards” competition for the second consecutive year.
Within the seven categories of the 2023 edition of the competition, ciders from several countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, England, and Ireland, among others, took part, with Valverán 20 Apples being the only Spanish cider awarded a gold medal in the “Speciality Cider” category.
The World Cider Awards, held in the United Kingdom, select, recognize, and promote the “World’s Best Ciders” among consumers worldwide. This annual tasting is part of the renowned World Drinks Awards, which are presented by TheDrinksReport.com.
Valverán 20 Apples has also been awarded in other prestigious national and international competitions, such as the Global Cider Masters, Gilbert & Gaillard, the International Cider Gala Show, CINVE, the Nava Cider Festival, and the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition.
Valverán 20 Apples Ice Cider
Valverán was founded in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2007 that this ice cider was created, making it a pioneer in the production of ice ciders and the most exclusive ice cider in the Iberian Peninsula. The name Valverán 20 Apples comes from the number of apples required to produce each 37.5 cl bottle, as it contains the concentrated juice of at least 20 apples.
This beverage is produced through a complex process that involves freezing at -20°C, followed by fermentation for 10 months and aging on fine lees for 12 months. The entire process usually takes around two years from the moment the apples are harvested until the bottle reaches the consumer, while preserving its initial fruity and sensory qualities.
To create this exclusive and highly prized product, the visionary character of José Masaveu, CEO of Masaveu Wineries, was essential. This represents his most personal project within the family’s ventures, backed by nearly ten years of research and experimentation. It is the only one of Masaveu Wineries five projects rooted in its native land, Asturias.
Today, 40 hectares are certified organic, located within the Protected Designation of Origin Sidra de Asturias, specifically at Finca El Rebollar in Sariego (Asturias). The estate’s 20,000 apple trees, comprising 11 different varieties (Blanquina, Xuanina, Regona, Raxao, Fuentes, Collaos, De la Riega, Verdialona, Perico, Durona de Tresali, and San Roqueña), allow for the production of this distinguished ice cider, full of nuanced flavors. It is a fresh and surprising beverage that pairs perfectly with foie, cheeses, and lightly sweet desserts.
It can be purchased through the Masaveu Wineries online store or by clicking here.
Masaveu Wineries
The Masaveu family began investing in the wine sector in 1974, when they acquired Murua Winery in Rioja Alavesa. However, the family’s vineyard plantations date back to the mid-19th century, specifically in Castellar del Vallès, the family’s place of origin, where Federico Masaveu Rivell first took the steps that his descendants would continue a century later.
Since then, Masaveu Wineries has grown to become a benchmark in the industry, recognized for the quality of its wines across various DOs and for its environmental philosophy and utmost respect for the land, on which it owns its own vineyard plantations. Thanks to these vineyards, each bottle conveys the unique personality of its terroir. In this way, all the projects undertaken by Masaveu Wineries across different regions share a common denominator: Fillaboa (DO Rías Baixas), Leda (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León), Murua (DOCa Rioja), Pagos de Araiz (DO Navarra), and Valverán (Asturias).
