The Cider District is a region which integrates six municipalities from the center eastern area of Asturias which are Biemes, Cabranes, Colunga, Nava, Sariego and Villaviciosa. A natural space of great beauty and with the common denominator being the core of production of the most popular drink of the Principality, the cider. Amid meadows and mountains and with two balconies open to the sea, Tazones and Lastres, the last one being where you can find the Palacio de Luces hotel, the best home base to discover this paradise.
“Amid meadows and mountains and with two balconies open to the sea, Tazones and Lastres, the last one being where you can find the Palacio de Luces hotel, the best home base to discover this paradise.”
There are very old references to the production of cider in Asturias. The abundance of apple trees, as opposed to its grapevines, resulted in the development of apple distillation. The word cider comes from the Latin word “sicera” defined as an intoxicating beverage. According to those who know, cider is a light drink that makes you want to talk, share, puts you in a good mood and most importantly, it’s good for your health. Of course, we invite you to try its benefits, but always in moderation!
Cider´s elaborations begin by recollecting the apples, which in Asturias is called “apañar” and it starts in the month of September and it can be prolonged until November and even December, because not every variety ripens at the same time and the weather conditions are not the same every year. From the field to the cider press, the cellar where cider gets made, the apples arrive in sacks that are emptied in presses which will extract the fruits juices. In some houses they still practice milling, putting apples in a wooden container where they are crushed with help from long wooden and stone hammers. After the appropriate fermentation time, the cider is prepared to be bottled and tasted.
In Nava every year the cider festival takes place, from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 July 2022, a fair which began towards the end of the 60´s and since 1989 it has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest. A competition of great repercussion since the best natural cider of the year is picked there. Also, with displays of local folklore there is too a spectacular cider pouring contest where people all over Spain try their dexterity pouring the cider from up high so that when it hits the glass and you drink it you can appreciate the scents and flavors even more. See complete program.
“Displays of local folklore there is too a spectacular cider pouring contest where people all over Spain try their dexterity pouring the cider from up high so that when it hits the glass and you drink it you can appreciate the scents and flavors even more.”
