Araújo Monte, Lda is Portugal's first commercial cidery for the country that borders Spain and its million of Sidra drinking fans.

Marlene Sofia Sousa Araújo whom I speak to in this chat, with the help of Anzu Fernandez as translator, was trained to be a scientist. When she and Patrícia Araújo Monte entered into a contest for entrepreneurs and decided to look at making cider as part of this project, they had no idea that they would win. With the winnings they received basic infrastructure to help launch the cidery along with help for specialist such as enologist (winemakers). Today the cidery has three partners, Marlene, Patrícia and Pedro Miguel Bravo de Faria

Marlene has been making cider since 2011. She received her degree in Biotechnology at Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo [IPVC] thinking she was headed for a career in science. So suffice to say, she didn't plan on becoming a cidermaker.

Araújo Monte, Lda is a costal cidery. They are currently using all sorts of apples and are trying to distinguish which ones create the correct blend. Currently the main apples used are culinary or table apples.

They cidery uses steel tanks.

With winemaking so prominent in Portugal they use wine yeast.

The first cider they made is called Corrupia 6.0% alcoho by volume

Since I spoke to Marlene they now have a new cider on the market called "Cider Sparkling Corrupia" (7.0%)

Who are the cider drinkers in Portugal?

That remains to be seen who will be the cider drinkers in Portugal. Right now they are looking to the drinkers who look outside of the box. Attending the International Hall of Gala Ciders was one of the key reasons why Marlene and Patrícia traveled to Asturias so that they could get a better understanding of the market worldwide. The Portuguese wine cultural is dominant and Araújo Monte has a big task ahead of them to win over their country's thirst.

Who governs cider in Portugal?

It falls under the wine label…sort of. Right now it looks like

"Araújo Monte really doesn't have any limitations because they are setting the standard in Portugal for cider."

There are no limitation on the alcohol level because it is the first cidery in Portugal.

Contact info for Araújo Monte

Address:

• Old Cooperative of Estorãos
• Place of Tenães
• Nº 5 4990-590 Estorãos -bridge From Lima

Telephone +351924404831.

Where can their cider be found, besides going to Araújo Monte.

• Shops in Lisbon
• Porto
• Bridge from Lima
• Viana do Castelo.

Follow this cidery on the Facebook page for Sidra Minho

Ask for the following 6 #CiderGoingUP Campaign cider supporters - By supporting these cider makers, you in turn help Ciderville.

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