The Sagardo Forum International Cider Competition has awarded the Gold Medal to the Asturian ice cider Valverán 20 manzanas 2021, made in Sariego by the winemaking group Masaveu Family Wineries in the dessert ciders category.
At this event, the best apple products and producers were honoured through highly professional ratings by international experts who have tasted 262 ciders from 19 countries divided into 9 categories.
The 4th edition of this competition took place on 2 December 2023 in San Sebastián, during which nine Asturian cider mills were awarded bronze, silver and gold Medals. Valverán ice cider, produced in the biggest orchard in Asturias, in the heart of the cider district, won a Gold Medal and obtained over 92 points.
Valverán 20 Manzanas was also awarded the highest distinction, in 2023, in other prestigious national and international competitions such as the World Cider Awards, the Global Cider Masters or the NAVA cider festival.
Due to the massive success and acknowledgement obtained by this ice cider the mill has increased production by 36% in the 2022 vintage, which shall go on sale in March 2024.
Ice Cider Valverán 20 Manzanas
Valverán was founded in 1998 however, this ice cider, the first and most exclusive ice cider on the Iberian Peninsula, didn’t emerge 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 freezing process at 20 degrees below zero, a subsequent fermentation for 10 months and aging on fine lees for 12 months. The entire period is usually around two years from when the apples are harvested until that bottle reaches the final consumer, maintaining the initial fruit and sensory qualities.
To achieve this exclusive and appreciated product, the visionary character of José Masaveu, general director of Bodegas Masaveu, was needed, being his most personal project of this member of the family, together with almost ten years of research and trials. It is the only one of the five projects of Masaveu Bodegas, which has its roots in its land, 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.
Buy in the Masaveu Bodegas online shop or click here.
Masaveu Bodegas
The Masaveu family first invested in the wine sector in 1974, when they purchased the Murua winery, 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).