Fifty-two homemade ciders, twelve finalists and a winner from Salas. Held during the first weekend of October, Ribeseya’s Folixa la Sidre combined a family cider makers’ competition with PDO cider, music and community participation.
LA SIDRA.— The Entaína Ribeseya association organised the event at Campu Les Rolles. The report in LA SIDRA 270 describes a crowded marquee and around eight thousand small servings of cider poured.
Salas takes the overall title
Marcos Rodríguez, from Otero in Salas, won the tenth Homemade Cider Competition. Cristina Álvarez, from Coya in Piloña, finished second, followed by Isaac Argüelles, from Cazanes in Villaviciosa.
The judging panel comprised Esmeralda García Tamés, Rubén Barredo, Miguel Pontón, Luis Sariego and Nanel. Pepín Díaz guided the final while Iván Prieto poured the twelve shortlisted ciders for assessment.
A family tribute behind the local award
The Ribeseya title required a tie-break. Sebi González, from Meluerda, won under the entry name Pepe Luis, chosen in tribute to his father-in-law. Haydee Prieto, from Tezangos, was second. Iván el Municipal took third with El Cuetu 2, from Pandu. All three qualified to represent the municipality at the Mundo Collada Memorial.
PDO cider served in glass
The PDO ciders featured were Quelo, Valle de Peón, Zapica, Prau Monga, Costales, El Santu, Contrueces, and Prado y Pedregal. Cider was high-poured at the bar into glass vessels, attention to service that also underpins training for cider pourers.
Club Rompiente FS delivered the opening address, while Skontra, Avalle Van, Corquiéu and La Tarrancha provided the musical programme. As the reports from Morea and Gozón also show, competition sits alongside the social ties that sustain cider culture.
Photograph: cider makers and judges at the Folixa. LA SIDRA 270, page 58.
