The Plaza de la Constitución was once again the centre of the Euskal Jaiak (Basque festivities) this Saturday with the 38th edition of the San Sebastián Sagardo Eguna (Cider Day). More than 4,000 people came to the festival, at which 31 cider houses from the Asociación de Sidrerías de Gipuzkoa (Gipuzkoa Cider Houses Association) offered the 2024 vintage. At the launch, 32 houses had been announced, with a price of 8 euros for ten txotx and the tasting open from 11.00.

Around 6,000 bottles were opened, to the rhythm of trikitixa players and bertsolaris (improvising verse singers) and under a sun that left not a single spot free in the shade.

In a glass once more

The cider was once again served in a wine glass. The association and the Euskal Sagardoa Designation of Origin, which organise the event together with the City Council, Donostia Festak, the Provincial Council and the Basque Government, say that everyone should drink it however they prefer, but that a glass is better for tasting it.

As well as the cider bars, the public could watch traditional apple pressing live and taste the first must of the 2025 harvest. There were also grafting workshops.

The pintxo stall changed hands: until now it had been run by the Petritegi cider house, and this year the association entrusted it to Txomin Parrilla, using Eusko Label produce, who prepared Basatxerri xolomoburu (pork loin) and boiled chorizo.

Tribute to Elutxeta and Otsuenea

At 12.30, with glasses raised and the cry of “Topa Donostia!”, came the official toast, followed by the tribute to the cider makers of the year. Juanjo Urruzola and Begoña Etxabe, from Elutxeta (Urnieta), went up on stage and received the association’s commemorative pin, verses from Aitor Mendiluze and Amets Arzallus and an aurresku (a Basque ceremonial dance of honour) danced by Andoni Alonso. Etxabe admitted that the honour had caught her somewhat “by surprise”.

The siblings from Otsuenea (Hernani), who were unable to attend, were also honoured. The cider house closed last winter, after its owners retired.

No stall for the apple growers

The apple growers, however, did not set up their usual stall. They explained that there is “total disagreement over the price set this year to be paid to apple growers”. Even so, they called off the protest they had planned for the day, in order to “leave the door open to dialogue” and join a process to agree a methodology for setting the price of apples each year.

The cider makers’ association pointed out that the Basque Government’s Behatokia observatory has drawn up a theoretical cost model in line with the Value Chain Law, and that knowing the real costs at each link in the chain is essential. Growers and cider makers were due to meet the following Monday to set out the points to work on over the coming months.

Sources