Trabanco
Like most families from the Asturian countryside,
the Trabancos have always made their own cider from their own apples, but in 1925 Emilio Trabanco decided to turn this household hobby into a family business. Trabanco cider quickly became known throughout the region as the premier natural cider from Asturias. Not much has changed since then: the Trabanco family is still using traditional methods, augmented with modern technologies, to produce exceptional Asturian ciders.
Trabanco’s cider house is located in the town of Gijón. In it can be found an incredible array of old chestnut barrels dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, with some large enough to hold up to 20,000 liters. The enormous square presses are made of wood and are just as old as the barrels. Trabanco has also incorporated some modern approaches to widen its array of natural apple products, introducing new items from vinegar to apple juice to the Poma Áurea, a sparkling apple cider.
Of Trabanco’s ciders, the more traditionally styled is the Cosecha Propia.
This cider is unique among those produced in Asturias, as it is made from estate-grown apples of numerous native varietals that have been approved by the Asturian Association of Cider Apple Growers. The juice is fermented with indigenous yeasts and in accordance with the guidelines for “Sidra Naturala,” producing a low-alcohol cider that is tart and lacks carbonation.
Trabanco’s second cider is an innovative sparkling project made from a selection of apples from the best orchards within the denomination. These apples are meticulously hand sorted and pressed using the old wooden presses. The must is transferred to select old barrels where it is fermented with indigenous yeast, and once fermentation is complete, the cider is placed in stainless steel tanks for secondary fermentation. The attractive result is named Poma Áurea for its special golden color.
Alma de Trabanco Quinquina en Rama is a unique aperitif from Trabanco,
born from memories of founder Emilio Trabanco, who would add a little cider to his vermouth, thus balancing the sweetness of vermouth with the refreshing acidity of his cider. Alma is the refinement of decades of local tradition.
Alma de Trabanco is the first quinquina made with natural cider en rama, which means the cider is unfiltered. The process of filtering a cider’s naturally occurring sediment (called lees), can strip a cider of its character and quality. Alma respects the essence of natural cider, leaving the natural lees in the cider intact and without color correction, which is typical in most vermouths. The harmless sediment you will find in a bottle of Alma de Trabanco is a sign of the quality and authenticity of an aperitif made from natural cider.
Bottled at a refreshing and versatile fifteen percent alcohol, Alma is the ideal aperitif, produced by the blending of en rama cider with white wine and various botanicals steeped in vinous alcohol. The primary botanicals in Alma de Trabanco include cinchona, wormwood, savory, gentian, artemisia, boldo, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, thyme, and vanilla. Fruits include cherry, orange peel, and lemon. The flavor profile is bright, refreshing, and satisfying, making Alma de Trabanco the perfect aperitif before a meal or base for your favorite session cocktail.
Products
Kegs
Trabanco Sidra Natural