best cider canary islands 2026 tuscany

Gran Canaria cider named Best of the Canary Islands 2026

Gran Canaria cider crowned best in the archipelago

Tuscany Brut Nature, produced by Vicente Oliver Marrero Arencibia in Gran Canaria, has been named the Best Cider of the Canary Islands 2026 at the Agrocanarias Official Competition, organised by the Canary Islands Institute of Food Quality (ICCA) in collaboration with the Valleseco Town Council.

Hat-trick of awards for Tuscany

The same brand has once again taken the special distinction for Best Image and Presentation 2026, having won the same prize in the previous edition, this time for its PET-NAT variety. It also scooped two Gold Medals, one in the sparkling cider category and another in natural ciders.

Gold for ecological cider and a Grand Gold for La Palma

In this third edition of the contest, El Lagar de Valleseco Espumosa, produced by Ángel Tomás Domínguez Ponce in Gran Canaria, was recognised with the distinction of Best Ecological Cider 2026. La Mirla Sidrera, in its carbonated cider variety from the Castro Magán winery in La Palma, won a Grand Gold Medal. The same brand also achieved Gold in the sparkling cider category.

Silver medals for natural ciders

The medal table for natural ciders is completed by three Silver Medals awarded to La Mirla Sidrera (Castro Magán winery, La Palma), Fierro by producer Juan Déniz Reyes, and El Valle Secreto from Sendero del Valle, both from Gran Canaria.

Officials announce the winners

The Canary Islands Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero; the director of the Canary Islands Institute of Food Quality (ICCA), Luis Arráez Guadalupe; and the mayor of Valleseco, José Luis Rodríguez Quintana, accompanied by councillors Rosa Delia Quintana and Francisco Rodríguez, announced the jury’s verdict today. The judging took place on 22 May in the Gran Canaria municipality.

11 prizes awarded in three categories

In total, the tasting panel awarded 11 prizes, three more than in the previous edition. These were divided into two Grand Golds, three Golds, and three Silvers, in addition to the three special distinctions. A total of 23 ciders from seven companies took part: 18 productions from Gran Canaria, 4 from La Palma, and 1 from Tenerife. The entries were split into three categories: natural (7 samples), which includes natural, sweet, low-alcohol, or fruit-based ciders; carbonated (9 samples), covering extra-dry, dry, semi-dry, and sweet varieties; and sparkling (7 samples), classified as extra-dry, dry, semi-dry, and sweet.

Cider: from emerging product to a consolidated industry

Speaking at the event, Minister Quintero highlighted the importance of “promoting and encouraging the islands’ differentiated quality products through initiatives like this competition organised by the ICCA to recognise a growing sector that has already demonstrated the high standard of its products by winning awards at national and international contests.” In this regard, he noted that “cider has gone from being an emerging product to a fully consolidated production, which currently has around twenty cider presses spread across Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro, producing recognised drinks both in the Canary Islands and at international competitions.”

Valleseco: a success story for the local economy

Mayor José Luis Rodríguez said that “the journey that began 15 years ago from Valleseco is now yielding very positive results for the agri-food sector and also for the local economy of small inland municipalities in Gran Canaria, which are now reaping the rewards of those apple trees planted years ago.” He also referred to the development of the 4th Cider Fair, promoted and organised by the municipal corporation with the support of the Canary Islands Government, this time through the Dinamiza Rural project, and the 1st Canary Islands Cider Forum, held in May in Tenerife, also with government backing.

Using local apples to diversify the sector

ICCA director Luis Arráez Guadalupe stressed that “this third edition helps to highlight a product that has been gaining weight in the Canary Islands in recent years, linked to the use of local apples, the commitment of small producers, and the diversification of our agri-food sector.” He added: “This competition is also a promotional tool to strengthen knowledge and visibility of Canarian ciders, improve their commercial positioning, and open up new market opportunities, both inside and outside the islands.”

Part of the Agrocanarias Official Competitions

This contest forms part of the Agrocanarias Official Competitions, through which the Canary Islands Government, via the ICCA, annually recognises the best cheeses, wines, gofio (toasted grain flour), extra virgin olive oils, sea salts, and ciders of the archipelago. All competitions follow a blind tasting system, meaning a panel of specialist tasters evaluate the samples without knowing their origin, and determine the winning productions based on their assessments. For one year, the award-winning products may use the official seal corresponding to the prize received (an adhesive medal placed on bottles) and will take part in various promotional events for Canarian products that the autonomous body organises throughout the year, both within and outside the islands.

Tuscany: a family tradition since 2022

Founded in 2022, Sidras Tuscany has its roots in family tradition. Using apples grown in Valleseco, the business has grown and refined itself year after year, improving and incorporating new production techniques while diversifying its activities by developing agrotourism experiences, which include guided tours that delve into the artisanal production process of its products. Its range covers natural, carbonated, and sparkling ciders. Specifically, its Espumosa Brut Nature is prepared using the traditional method (known as champenoise), with a second fermentation in the bottle and no added sugars, resulting in a dry, balanced, and elegant flavour profile. It is distinguished by its fine, persistent bubbles and its freshness and aromatic complexity, reflecting the care of the process and the character of the local apple.

A growing list of accolades

In addition to the title of Best Cider of the Canary Islands 2026, this product won the special distinction for Best Image and Presentation in the previous edition of the Canary Islands Cider Competition Agrocanarias. It has also been recognised at the International Gala Cider Salon (SISGA), held in Asturias in September, with a Silver Medal, and at the international Sagardo Forum 2025 competition, held in the Basque Country in November, where it won a Bronze.

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