Sidras Bereziartua Sagardoak is a family-run firm devoted to cider production since 1870. The first Bereziartua ciders were produced at the old facility in Ergobia. A century later, in 1970, the cider house finally committed itself to the production of sagardua or cider at its facilities in Astigarraga, where they are located today. Since then, and following various modernization processes, Bereziartua has become a beacon in the production of natural cider, while at the same time preserving its family character at the service of tradition, and out of respect and gratitude towards the loyal customers. The fourth generation is currently running the company.
Bereziartua is home to 60 kupelas (barrels with a capacity of over 1,000 litres) made of wood, polyester and stainless steel. Next to these kupelas there are two refrigerated warehouses to control the fermentation process in line with our requirements. The txotx is a tradition that is carried out following the first contact with the cider inside the kupela; that usually happens on the Friday before 20th January - Saint Sebastian's day. The txotx season at Bereziartua goes on until the end of May. This tradition began with cider tasting sessions involving the cider maker and the wholesalers, restaurants, private individuals, gastronomic clubs, etc. Prospective buyers used to turn up at the cider house to sample the various kupelas to choose the cider that they felt was in the best condition to be purchased. Today, it has become a popular gastronomic event in the Basque society.
This organic natural cider from Astigarraga in the Basque Country is produced from freshly pressed juice that is fermented by native yeasts in large wooden casks (kupelas) for a minimum of 4 months. The cider is uncarbonated and unfiltered.
A typical golden color, intense, deep and fruity aromas, the cider is medium-bodied and fresh on the palate with tangy flavors and a slight fizz.
Pairs with cheese, quince paste, shellfish, grilled beef. Serve chilled.
Kershaw Chardonnay Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY95 is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The inspiration for this Chardonnay stems from my belief that the Elgin region has both a signature grape as well as particular terroirs within its demarcated boundary that reflect regional credentials. This Chardonnay was selected from a sub-region of Elgin from a specific vineyard and an individual clone.
Tasting Notes: Sourced from a parcel in the Western part of Elgin the 95 clone is known for its excellent quality creating wines that are aromatic, fuller bodied and rich yet tightly structured, well–balanced with length of flavor, managing to show restraint and mouth-watering passivity with a great line through the palate and fruit veering towards white peach flesh and nectarine. On Bokkeveld Shales it brings amplified perfume on the nose and persistence and elegance to the palate.
Winemaking:
Grapes were hand-picked in the early autumnal mornings, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed up to a maximum of 0.6 bar or until a low juice recovery of 580 liters per ton was obtained. The juice gravity-flowed directly to barrel (no pumps were used at all) without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in barrel for 4 months prior to judicious sulfuring and a further 7 months’ maturation in barrel before racking and bottling.
Review:
"Minerals and a hint of flint on the nose. The expressive minerality of this wine also shows on the palate with complementary light stone fruit notes. Aged in 50% new 228L oak aging for 11 months."
- International Wine Review (Richard Kershaw Lifts Elgin To New Heights, February 2019), 95 pts
Cabrieres Le Petit Cabrieres is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault.
Le Petit Cabrieres Rouge is a Vin de Pays du Vaucluse as it is made from grapes grown right outside the Cotes du Rhone geographic designation.
Intense red color with purple highlights. Powerful nose of red fruits. Fruity on the palate with a beautiful freshness.
Pair with charcuterie, hamburgers and cheeses.