In the winter season, specifically between January and May we can taste an authentic Basque cider house menu or sagardotegi as they call them in the Basque country. Many Basques and foreigners come to Guipuzcoa called by the sagardotegi effect, and is that this delicacy can not be enjoyed at any time, only when it is sagardo season, this word (sagardo), was created from two words in Basque, sagarra (apple) and ardoa (wine), resulting in sagardoa, from this word we can find many other words like sagardotegi, the place where we try the Basque cider each year etc..
Many sago lovers look forward to the aforementioned season to taste the harvest, while for others it is a perfect excuse to eat until bored while tasting the year’s crop.
As we have mentioned above, the best sagardotegis can be found all over Gipuzkoa but if we have to mention a municipality, I would undoubtedly choose Astigarraga. Do you want to know the reasons why we want to recommend a visit to a Basque cider house?
High quality cider: The cider that we are going to drink in these places is of outstanding quality, in many of these “restaurants” only serve cider created by them, in the same environment in which we are. Each year varies the quality but always maintaining certain standards, so I can assure you that you will not be disappointed, that if, remember to make a responsible consumption, as many of the attendees at these “parties”, do not perform and end up if you can enjoy an authentic delicacy like the one mentioned in the next point.
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2.-Possibility of tasting a 5 star menu: The menu of the Basque cider houses or sagardotegi usually consists of cod omelette and chorizo in cider for snacks and second dish strong….Txuleton!!! without forgetting the dessert quince jelly with nuts, the best thing about this menu is that you can usually ask to get more for the same price, ie you can repeat until you satiate your hunger. Not only the quantity stands out in these restaurants, the quality is also noted, so you can rest assured.
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3.-The surroundings: Normally these restaurants are surrounded by the land where the apple crop is harvested, therefore, they are usually located in natural environments of unparalleled value, on the other hand, it is necessary to drive to reach them.
4.-The price: The price speaks for itself, about 30€ – 40€, a ridiculous price to eat and drink all you want with a very good quality.
The tradition indicates that you should eat and drink in kuadrilla and standing, although nowadays you can find some cider bars where you can eat sitting down, you will wonder why to eat standing up, simple, in the past they used to meet in the txokos (Basque kuadrillas premises) and tasted the harvest of each year and for this act each one offered to take what they could offer, for this reason in some places they follow the tradition.
So get ready to drink to the voice of “txotx”, because with this cry they indicate in the cider house that they are going to proceed to the opening of the next kupela (barrel). If you are reading these lines and it is cider season I am sure you are looking forward to visit Guipuzcoa, and we…. WE ENCOURAGE YOU!!!! You will not regret it.
We leave a video for you to enjoy the charms of the sagardotegis and cider:
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