Madeira ciders in a 2023 archive photograph. Source: LA SIDRA archive.
The Atlantic island received nine distinctions at SISGA’26 and has just applied to join Cider Cities, as its cider production gains international visibility with the support of the Protected Geographical Indication «Sidra da Madeira».
Madeira cider once again demonstrated its distinctive character and its contribution to the international cider scene at the International Hall of Gala Ciders. The Madeiran contingent finished the event with five silver and four bronze medals across still ciders, sparkling ciders and a perry. These results highlight the diversity of its producers’ work.
Nine distinctions for Madeira cider
In the dry still cider category, silver medals went to Tres Reis Magos Sidra da Madeira IGP, Sidra A Bragada and Sidra do Vares Sidra da Madeira IGP, the latter from the 2024 harvest. In the same category, the Sidra da Madeira IGP entered by the Association of Cider Producers of the Autonomous Region of Madeira —APSRAM— received bronze. Casa do Caramanchão earned another bronze with Boneca de Canudo in the semi-dry still cider category.
Quinta da Moscadinha collected four awards: silver for Tres Barricas, a naturally sparkling brut nature cider, and Sparkling Natural, a naturally sparkling semi-dry cider; and bronze for TN, also a brut nature cider, and Altitude, in the semi-dry perry category.
Cider Cities and the Sidra da Madeira PGI
This presence at SISGA coincides with a significant step in the territory’s international relations: Madeira has just applied to join Cider Cities, the network of cities and territories linked to apple and cider culture. The application opens a route to strengthen exchanges with other producing regions and develop cooperation around cider culture, promotion and cider tourism.
Madeira also has a specific means of protecting the identity of its production. The name «Sidra da Madeira» was entered in the European Union’s register as a Protected Geographical Indication under the regulation adopted on 16 August 2023. This recognition protects a product closely linked to its place of origin.
The product specification states that the protected cider is made by fermenting the natural juice of apples grown on the island, which may be blended with locally grown pears. Fruit growing, cider production and packaging all take place in Madeira. The combination of varieties, soil and climatic conditions gives the cider its characteristic acidity, freshness and pronounced fruit aromas and flavours.
Behind this production lies centuries of agricultural and cultural heritage. The PGI documentation records references to «apple wine» dating back to the 15th century and describes how rural communities selected and shared the varieties best suited to each area. Orchards, cider-making knowledge and local festivals are all part of that continuity.
The SISGA awards bring visibility to this work. The application to Cider Cities now offers the prospect of closer relations between territories facing a shared challenge: turning the distinctive character of their cider culture into opportunities for the people who keep it alive.
