Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-09-25
Basque cider harvest numbers are in, and drought has cut collected apples sharply — though the Euskal Sagardoa regulator says strength for cider making remains. Hessen's Apfelwein season opened under similar dry conditions, a new Asturian cider festival was unveiled in Ribadesella, and mead scored a Great Taste Awards success in Wales. Apple shortfalls are the week's unifying theme across Europe's cider heartlands.
Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-09-25
Top developments
Basque apple harvest down sharply — but cider strength holds
At the harvest presentation in Villabona's Otalarre orchard, Unai Agirre, coordinator of the Euskal Sagardoa PDO, said the amount collected is down 60% compared to last year, with picking having started earlier than usual due to drought. The regulator in Goierri expects to collect 1.5 million kilos of Euskal Sagar, a notably smaller harvest than 2025. Producers say the fruit's intensity for sagardoa remains strong despite the volume drop.
Ribadesella launches new 'Folixa la Sidre' festival
Asturian llagares (cider presses) are bottling for a new edition of the 'Folixa la Sidre' in Ribadesella (Ribeseya), announced on 24 September. The week-long festival will spotlight homemade cider, the art of escanciado (pouring), and traditional Asturian music. It matters as a fresh addition to Asturias' seasonal cider calendar beyond the big Gijón festival.
Hessen's Apfelwein season opens under drought
Hessen's apple harvest and pressing season has begun, with heat and summer drought leaving apples smaller than normal across the Frankfurt region — meaning every apple counts more than ever this year. The FAZ reports the season opened despite the dryness, with the industry still positive facing competition and declining alcohol consumption. Kelter presses in and around Frankfurt are now officially running.
Caldicot meadery wins at Great Taste Awards
A Caldicot (South Wales) meadery is celebrating fresh national success at the Great Taste Awards, reported on 24 September. It's another signal that the Welsh mead revival is earning recognition beyond the niche.
Local view
Basque-language press is focused on the thin harvest. Goierriko Hitza notes the regulator's expectation of 1.5 million kilos of Euskal Sagar, and Orain.eus carries the PDO coordinator's 60% figure directly. Oarsoaldea outlets close to the Irun sagardotegi scene are covering the end-of-season txotx days at Ola Sagardotegia as cider houses wind down their season.
German local media frame Stöffche season optimistically despite smaller fruit: 17:30 Live Rheinland-Pfalz/Hessen welcomed the official start of pressing season around Frankfurt, calling Apfelwein "a kind of regional sanctuary" for Hessen.
Context & numbers
- Basque Euskal Sagar harvest expectation: 1.5 million kilos; collected volume down ~60% year-over-year due to drought.
- Hessen: smaller-than-normal apples region-wide after summer heat and drought.
- UK framing (recent industry data cited amid drought coverage): total cider category volume of 643 million litres, with the NACM valuing industry contribution at £2.7bn and ~65,000 jobs.
On the radar
- Ola Sagardotegia's XXIV Sagar Eguna apple festival in Irun, reported as ready to go on 24 September; the outlet notes this year's harvest came in 30% below expectations.
- Sagarfest festival at Borda Txiki, Irun, scheduled for Saturday (26 September) — apple culture, music and local gastronomy.
- Donostia's Euskal Jaiak wrapped with cider tasting from 18 cider houses in Ordizia; Gipuzkoa's cider makers association highlighted the Goierri region's weight in the sector.
- Texas Mead & Music Festival (13th annual, Waxahachie) featured award-winning Texas meads including Vinland Meads — US meadery presence at festivals continues to grow.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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