The entry of the "Sidra Seleccionada" brand in the Protected Certificate of Origin (PDO) "Sidra de Asturias" is on track to achieve some outstanding milestones in the sector in record time. The first of all: the production of both the regional cider and the raw material needed for it. The incorporation to the PDO of this group of cider makers that until now were promoted under the "Sidra Seleccionada" brand will allow, foreseeably, to raise the annual harvest of "Sidra de Asturias" to almost 4 million bottles. The president of the Regulatory Council of the PDO, Celestino Cortina, agrees with the director general of the Processed Food Department, Jesús Casas, stating that the objective of multiplying by four the apple production within a period of five years is also viable.
Currently only 1.8 million bottles of cider have a certificate of origin. They suppose, in fact, a small amount compared to what it is consumed in Asturias. The incorporation to the PDO of the "Sidra Seleccionada" cider makers will allow the number of bottles covered under the label "Sidra de Asturias" to be raised to almost 4 million. The objective of raising the production of raw material "is not unattainable" for the regional government. According to the director of the Processed Food Department, "if there are more apples recognized, we will be able to make more cider with certificate". The president of the Regulatory Council of the PDO expressed himself on the same line, and believes that there are enough apples and farms to register in the certificate of origin and satisfy the demand. "Despite the alternate bearing, I think we will not have problems", Cortina emphasized.
The cider maker Samuel Trabanco was even more optimistic, and the presentation of the great cider alliance, last week in Gijón, pointed out that in 2016 a harvest of 1.9 million kilos of apple was recorded in the Principality, and a production of 1.4 million liters of cider with PDO. "I want to be ambitious, and I want to surpass 10 million liters in a short time", Trabanco said, who is not satisfied with the 10% increase in production recorded in relation to 2015 and the forecast of 15% increase in sales for next year.
The regulation of the Certificate clearly specifies that the apple that will be used for the production of ciders covered by the Regulatory Council must be solely and exclusively apple of cider from Asturias, therefore excluding any apple that comes from outside our region. In almost all municipalities in Asturias it is possible to find plantations registered in the PDO "Sidra de Asturias" that meet these requirements.
The varieties covered by the certificate of origin are: Durona de Tresali, Blanquina, Limón Montés, Teórica, San Roqueña, Raxao, Xuanina, Fuentes, Verdialona, Ernestina, Regona, Clara, Meana, Coloradona, Carrió, Solarina, De la Riega, Collao, Perico, Prieta, Perezosa y Panquerina.
