An Ariege terroir cider
Apple in Ariege
Apple in Ariege
The apple holds a significant place in the history of Ariege. It is closely tied to local agriculture and the identity of this region in the southwest of France. Apple production has long been essential to the people of Ariege. Orchards have thrived throughout the territory, benefiting from the favorable climate and soil.
However, with urbanization and changes in consumption habits, this culture has gradually become a minority. Fortunately, local initiatives today aim to preserve ancient varieties and promote sustainable agriculture. It is in this spirit that my cider house finds its place, honoring the past while bringing new energy to this tradition.
Our ciders are made from numerous apple varieties, including reinette d’ariège, api étoilée, court pendu, pomme d’île, melrose, belle de boskoop, museau de lièvre…a unique blend that will delight your palate.
A cider house in a Regional Natural Park
A cider house in a Regional Natural Park
You will find Gayouth Cider House in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, in the Bethmale Valley, a true treasure for nature lovers. It is here, in the peaceful village of Arrien en Bethmale, that the cider house fits in perfectly, within this preserved landscape.
While waiting to harvest apples from my own orchard, I collaborate with local producers to obtain the finest fruits. Grown organically, these apples are handpicked and carefully sorted to extract high-quality juice. Each step of the process aims to preserve the freshness and authenticity of these Ariège apples, creating an expressive cider that reflects the local terroir and craftsmanship.
Respect for the fruit and the terroir
Respect for the fruit and the terroir
The world of cider has not yet explored terroir with the same depth as wine, especially concerning the soils where our apple trees grow. This exploration promises to reveal the unique aromatic profiles of the region.
Although the term ‘terroir’ has sometimes been surrounded by a certain mystery, even overused in the wine context, exploring how the environment influences fruits remains fascinating. It is a learning process that advances step by step, involving observations, analyses, and adjustments to fully reveal the subtleties of terroir in cider. As the primary cider producer in Ariège, my goal is to produce innovative ciders through bold experimentation that combines various local apple varieties.