Maley, with three distinctions, and Rocco, with one, put Italy at the top of the competition’s highest honours. Asturies and Czechia share second place, with three Premium awards each.
Italy won more Premium awards than any other country at the 16th International Hall of Gala Ciders. A count of the results gives Italian producers four distinctions, followed by Asturies and Czechia, tied on three each. The outcome highlights the range of products capable of earning the highest recognition in their respective categories.
Maley was the leading contributor to Italy’s success, collecting three Premium awards across different product families: Cidre du Saint Bernard, in the naturally carbonated semi-dry sparkling cider category; Poire Jorasses, in semi-dry perry; and Lo Cristallier, in cider liqueur. These three distinctions reflect the breadth of its range, spanning cider, pear-based drinks and liqueurs.
Maley has a longstanding relationship with SISGA. Its founder, Gianluca Telloli, is associated with a project to restore historic apple orchards in the Aosta Valley and Savoy. His involvement in the event included the opening tasting at the 2023 edition, where he presented the cidery’s philosophy and its connection with the landscape and traditional apple varieties of the Alps.
Italy’s fourth Premium award went to Sparkling Rocco – Spicy Honey, from Rocco SRL, in the sweet sparkling cider with added carbonation category. This completed an Italian tally spanning two producers and four categories, with Maley making the largest contribution.
Asturies shared second place with Czechia, just one distinction behind Italy. The three Asturian Premium awards went to Exner Craft Cider, from Gallinal Drinks, in semi-dry sparkling cider with added carbonation; Ramos del Valle Brut, from Sidra Fran, in naturally carbonated brut sparkling cider; and Sidra de hielo, from Sidra Cortina, in ice cider. The award for Exner, which took part in this year’s SISGA, joins those for Sidra Fran and Cortina among the highest honours earned by Asturian producers.
Czechia secured its three Premium awards with Magic Guelder-Rose 2025 Semi-dry, from Witch’s Apple Cider, in flavoured still cider; Opilý jabko, from Apploader SRO, in naturally carbonated sweet sparkling cider; and Cousins Driver – Friendly, from Cousins, in alcohol-free cider.
The results reflect the international diversity highlighted at the SISGA’26 presentation and in the review of this year’s event. The jury comprised one representative from each participating cidery, bringing the perspectives and traditions of different cider-producing territories into the judging process. Italy leads the Premium tally, with Asturies and Czechia sharing the next place in awards that recognise widely differing approaches to cider.
