SISGA ciders from Chile and Argentina bring flavour to the memory of Asturian emigration

SISGA ciders from Chile and Argentina took centre stage at the opening of “La sidre na emigración asturiana” (Cider in Asturian Emigration). Patagonia, Magritte, Teitu and 1888 Sáenz Briones brought a taste of South America’s cider diversity to the Casa de Cultura in Santuyano, Bimenes, reflecting the exchanges fostered by the International Hall of Gala Ciders (SISGA).

LA SIDRA.— The toast accompanied the opening on 30 October of an exhibition organised by Fundación Asturies XXI and curated by Llucía Fernández Marqués. Its twenty items, spanning 1870 to 1947, document cider’s presence among Asturian communities in the Americas. Photographs, posters and labels tell stories of celebrations, trade and belonging: how a bottle could sustain a connection with home. Sharing ciders now made on the other side of the Atlantic gave that memory a tangible expression.

Chile was represented by Patagonia and Magritte. Patagonia, made by Agrícola Tralcao and carrying the Lemon Apple branding, contributed its Espumosa Brut, which received Silver at SISGA 2023. Magritte, from Conun Huenu, featured in the toast with Apple Brut. The brand’s award history includes Bronze at SISGA 2023 for Magritte Cider, Sidra Premium Tradición, in the semi-dry sparkling category. The 2023 awards list records these distinctions for Chilean cider production.

Argentina’s contribution came from Teitu and 1888 Sáenz Briones. Teitu, made by Patagonia Astigarraga, earned Silver in the still dry cider category at SISGA 2025, as recorded in that edition’s results. Alongside it, 1888 completed the Argentine selection. Both offered a glimpse of a South American cider scene with its own identity, brought into conversation here with the memory of Asturian emigration.

The Asturian selection accompanying them comprised Brut Angelón and Sidra Extra Ecológica, both from Viuda de Angelón; El Gaitero Natural; and Pomarina Natural. Brut Angelón earned Gold at SISGA 2026 in the naturally carbonated brut sparkling category. Viuda de Angelón Ecológica received Gold in sweet sparkling cider at SISGA 2022 and Bronze in the same category in 2023. These different styles completed the toast with an Asturian presence closely connected to the exhibition’s theme.

The occasion showed how SISGA can continue to inspire encounters beyond the dates of the annual event: ciders travel, are shared and start new conversations. In Santuyano, Chilean and Argentine products brought flavour to the history of transatlantic ties explored by the exhibition. Visitors can see the display at Santuyano’s Casa de Cultura throughout November.