493: Cider as a Sport | Sidra in Asturias (Archive Edition)

493: Cider as a Sport | Sidra in Asturias (Archive Edition)

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist March 4, 2026 Duration: 55:28

What is Asturian cider?

Asturian cider (sidra natural) is a traditionally fermented apple cider from Asturias, Spain, served through a high pour (escanciado) and shared socially in small servings called culines.

This episode is part of the Cider Chat archive documenting global cider traditions and producers since 2015.

In this epic replay from Season 2 of Cider Chat, Ria Windcaller traveled to Asturias, Spain, and sat down with Anzu Fernández, international delegate for La Sidra magazine and a lifelong ambassador of traditional Asturian cider culture.

 

Find the full show notes for this episode at CiderChat.com
Episode 493: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/493-cider-as-a-sport-sidra-in-asturias/

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00:00 Cider Is Sport Intro

00:37 Asturias Sidra Legacy

01:34 Rollup To Episode 500

02:49 Season Two World Tour

05:07 Ciderville News And Tours

07:15 Hungarian Cider Salon

09:13 Setting The Asturias Scene

11:12 Meet Anzu And La Sidra

14:05 Doctor By Day Cider By Night

16:24 Home Cider And Espicha

20:04 Tasting Notes And Apples

22:59 Basque Vs Asturian Styles

24:52 Associations And Big Market

26:28 Cider Pouring Competitions

28:46 How To Drink A Culín

29:48 Sharing One Glass

30:15 Cider Pourer Etiquette

31:55 Low ABV Session Drinking

32:24 Wild Fermentation Basics

33:20 Blending Igualación

34:58 Modern Cider Innovations

36:25 Cider Tourism Grows

38:22 Where To Drink Sidra

40:40 Unlabeled Bottles Explained

41:52 Vintage And Market Shifts

43:45 Defining Cider Origins

47:12 Climate And Apple Country

48:49 Tasting The Long Pour

49:56 Tech Talk And Standards

52:54 Closing Reflections


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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