Zapiain Gura Sagardoa
Bright, citrusy, and refreshingly sharp, Zapiain’s Gura Sagardoa is a natural Basque cider that carries a legacy of cider-making dating back to the 16th century. Fermented in chestnut barrels and bottled fresh, it offers a tangy citrus profile that combines history and refreshment in every glass.
Gura Sagardoa at glance
- Region: Basque, Spain
- Alcohol: 6.7%
- Style: Basque’s Sidra Natural
- Vintage: 2022
- Apple varieties: blend of typical cider varieties from Spain
Cider flavour profile
- See: bright yellow, with hints of green; hazy and with mild traces of effervescence
- Smell: citrus fruits, lemony, with notes of citronella
- Taste: lively and refreshing; high acidity, low tannins, mildly effervescent to the palate; mineral and herbaceous; hints of floral notes when it warms up.
Tasting Notes on Gura Sagardoa by Zapiain
I could not have picked a better cider for the bright, sunny day on which I opened this bottle of Zapiain’s Gura Sagardoa. With high acidity and strong citrusy notes, Gura Sagardoa comes across as refreshing and perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden. I may just have been due to the unexpectedly blinding sunshine, but sipping Gura Sagardoa cider in my garden was the quintessentially summer experience to me; transporting me from suburban Lonto straight into childhood memories of sleepy afternoons spent by the beach in Mediterranean seaside locations – relaxed, chilled, with no concern at all.
Gura Sagardoa is a natural cider with deep roots. The Zapiain name has been associated with traditional cider making in Northern Spain since at least the 16th century. It’s made from classic Spanish cider apples, which—much like UK varieties—vary in acidity and tannin, though they usually lean toward the sharper end of the spectrum. This natural cider is fermented in massive chestnut barrels through autumn and early winter, then bottled fresh. It pours a pale straw colour and gives off herbal notes with a hit of green apple.
Traditionally, it’s served by pouring from a height into the glass—just a small splash at a time—to aerate it well. Then it’s meant to be drunk quickly, while it’s at its most lively.
Notes from the producers
Original language “Sidra completamente natural, sin conservantes. Calidad certificada desde la manzana a la botella. Consumir fresca, no muy fria (10-12 degrees C). Conservar en lugar fresco y seco.”
English: “Completely natural cider, without preservatives. Certified quality from apple to bottle. To be consumed fresh, not too cold (10-12 degrees C). Store in a cool, dry place. Best before: see bottom of label.”
Food pairing
With high acidity and low tannins, I see this will cider pairing wonderfully with Italian frittura mista (mixed battered fried seafood), battered scampi and fish and chips.
