Ciders is a category of traditional Asturian apple ciders (sidra), represented by the family distillery Martínez Sopeña Hermanos. The range includes the classic natural Sidra Natural, the ice variant Hibernis made using the freeze concentration technique applied to the fruit, and the more sparkling Brut Nature style, whose bubbles bring it closer to classic cider. Sidra is created by the natural fermentation of apple must, usually without added sugar, and therefore has a dry, tart flavour with a lower alcohol content than wine. In Asturias it is traditionally poured from a height (escanciado) so that it aerates and opens up its full flavour.
How to find your way around this category
Sidra Natural is a classic, still-fermented apple cider without artificial sparkle - the typical Asturian style. Ice cider (Hibernis) is created by freezing part of the apples before pressing, which concentrates the sugar and the flavour, resulting in a sweeter and more complex drink. Brut Nature is a dry, gently sparkling variant whose style comes close to sparkling wine.
Sidra Natural is suited to a traditional tasting with the escanciado technique, while the ice or sparkling variant works better as a celebratory aperitif.
How sidra is traditionally poured
In Asturias, natural sidra is poured using a technique called escanciado - the bottle is held high above the head and the glass low down, so that the stream of liquid falls from a height and aerates. This releases fine bubbles and opens up the full flavour of the drink. Only a small amount is poured at a time and drunk straight away, so that the sidra keeps its freshness.
At home it is enough to pour the sidra from a somewhat greater height into a wider glass - the full escanciado technique takes a little practice, but even a simple approximation improves the tasting experience.
Storing and serving
Store an unopened bottle in a cool, dark place. Sidra is served chilled, at around 6-8 °C. After opening it quickly loses its bubbles and freshness, so it is best drunk soon after opening, ideally the same day.
Frequently asked questions
What is sidra and what is it made from?
Sidra is a traditional Asturian apple cider created by natural fermentation, usually without added sugar, with a lower alcohol content than wine and a characteristic dry, tart flavour.
What is ice cider (Hibernis)?
Ice cider is made using the freeze concentration technique, in which part of the apples is frozen before pressing. The resulting drink is sweeter and more complex in flavour than classic natural sidra.
How is sidra poured using the escanciado technique?
The bottle is held high above the head and the glass low down, so that the stream of liquid falls from a height and aerates, which opens up the flavour and releases fine bubbles.
How long does an opened bottle of sidra last?
Sidra quickly loses its bubbles and freshness after opening, so we recommend drinking it soon, ideally the same day.
What is the difference between sidra and classic cider?
Asturian sidra natural is typically stiller and drier than the internationally known sparkling cider, thanks to natural fermentation without added sugar and without artificial carbonation.
The style of sidra (natural, ice, brut nature) and its freshness after opening. Also: the escanciado pouring technique has a marked effect on the tasting experience.
What we base this on
On traditional Asturian sidra production and on information from the Martínez Sopeña Hermanos distillery. Also: we verify the alcohol content on the particular product.
Where the limits are
The range is smaller and some products are occasionally sold out. Also: you will find current availability in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Neither wine nor sparkling wines. Also: you will find those in the Wines and Sparkling wines (Cava) categories.