Euskadi - The season txotx and tradition of Basque Cider in Astigarraga

I discovered Basque cider many years ago, and since then a bottle has regular presence at my table, simultaneously to the Asturian cider.
And while I am also a regular customer of Basque cider in Madrid, the fact is that until recently had not had the opportunity to visit a typical Euskadi Basque cider and enjoy the cider house menu .

What better time to do that during the season of the Txotx, which has just started in the Basque Country and lasts until April.

Txotx opening in Astigarraga cider BereziartuaFoto: Sagadoaren Lurraldea

In my visit last year the so-called Land of the Cider (Sagardoaren Lurraldea) plus I got to know the long tradition of Basque cider, its origins and its current boom, of which have extensive explanation in the Museum of Basque Cider in Astigarraga ( Sagardoetxea).
And I discovered that around this boom now have the ability to perform activities of Basque cider wine, with visits to wineries, tastings.

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Visit the Museum of Basque Cider in Astigarraga

The so-called Territory of the Basque Cider in Astigarraga find it, one of the villages surrounding the city of San Sebastian, where most of the 51 Basque cider is in Guipuzcoa concentrate, compared to 10 in Vizcaya and Alava 2.
Note that when I speak of Basque cider, I mean a village dedicated to the production of this traditional drink.

What is txotx

And you know what the txotx?

Aiorrenea Txotx cider in Astigarraga

The txotx is the name the time during which the new cider in the cider trial period that begins each year on the Wednesday before the week of the feast of the tamborrada.
In these cider traditionally a space enabled, mostly with high tables, so without sitting can try the aforementioned new cider season.