Llanes will serve as the launch site for 'entendíos en sidre', a project designed to improve the training of judges for Asturian homemade cider competitions. The Llanes Town Hall and the organisers have announced the first edition of this course, which will take place on 7 November, offering diplomas endorsed by FASCAS (the Asturian Cider Federation) and the Cátedra de la Sidra (Chair of Cider).
This initiative aims to enhance the preparation of judges in cider tasting competitions and establish common evaluation criteria. The course will be held at the Aula de Piedra in Llanes, with the objective of equipping participants with the knowledge to assess ciders with greater understanding, accuracy, and consistency, regardless of the competition.
The training will be conducted by Ricardo del Río, a sommelier and member of the Cofradía de la Sidra (Brotherhood of Cider). It will combine theoretical and practical content covering the organoleptic characteristics of cider, the identification of its virtues and flaws, and the proper use of tasting and scoring sheets. The programme includes practical exercises, a knowledge test, and a mock cider competition where students will apply the criteria learned. Upon completion, participants will receive a diploma recognised by FASCAS and the Cátedra de la Sidra.
The event will conclude with a traditional 'espicha', a social gathering where students and those involved in the organisation can connect. 'Entendíos en sidre' has the support of various stakeholders from the Asturian cider culture.
Prior to the course, a meeting of the Technical Committee was held on 9 October in Llanes, where representatives from associations, home and industrial cider makers, pourers, and cider professionals collaborated to establish common evaluation criteria that will form the foundation for the training.
The choice of Llanes as the venue for this inaugural edition acknowledges the town's cider-making tradition and the efforts of its associative fabric, particularly the Asociación de Sidra Caseru del Conceju de Llanes. However, the promoters' intentions extend beyond this first event. 'Entendíos en sidre' aims to be a continuous initiative, aspiring to become a reference point for those serving as judges in Asturian cider competitions.
This project also contributes to the preservation and transmission of knowledge associated with Asturian cider culture, which was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024. The first edition is supported by the Llanes Town Hall, which backs an initiative that combines training, cider tradition, and the involvement of associations and professionals in the sector. On 7 November, Llanes will take the first step in a project that seeks to enhance the way Asturian cider is tasted and evaluated.
