Basque Cider Tasting & Pairing

Basque Cider Tasting at Merchants House

In collaboration with Quality Ferments Importers

Join us for a special evening celebrating sagardoa — the proud and ancient cider tradition of the Basque Country. Long before grapes dominated Iberian winemaking, the people of northern Spain were cultivating apple orchards and fermenting their fruit into cider. Records of Basque cider-making date back nearly a thousand years, when sailors filled their barrels with sagardoa to prevent scurvy on long voyages. To this day, cider remains deeply tied to Basque identity — poured from height to aerate the drink, shared communally, and celebrated in the famous txotx season each spring.

Basque cider (sagardoa) is unlike most ciders you’ll find in the UK. It’s wild-fermented, unfiltered, and naturally still — sharp, dry, and complex, with a briny, farmhouse edge that reflects the region’s Atlantic climate and traditional methods. Each producer’s style tells its own story, and this tasting will guide you through the heart of that tradition.

Paired Cider & Snacks Tasting

In our intimate events space, The Cove, Joe from Quality Ferments will guide you through 8 ciders to be enjoyed with a bespoke paired menu of snacks, pintxos and dessert. An immersive, intriguing and relaxing evening awaits!

The tasting journey will unfold as follows:

1. Zapiain Gure Sagardoa – a classic and refreshing introduction to Basque cider culture.
2. Kupela Sagardoa – bright, lively, and bursting with green apple and wild fermentation notes.
3. Zapiain Euskal Sagardoa – beautifully balanced, representing the official PDO of Basque cider.
4. Shacksbury x Petritegi ‘Arlo’ – a transatlantic collaboration blending Vermont craftsmanship with Basque heritage.
5. Zapiain Euskal Premium (on draught) – served txotx-style straight from the barrel, crisp and zesty.
6. Zapiain Joanes de Zapiain – a refined single-apple variety, complex and elegant.
7. Kupela Cidre Demi-Sec - a sweeter sparkling take on the Basque classic style
8. Zapiain Bizi Goxo – a naturally sweet cider to finish, perfectly paired with dessert.

Expect stories of orchards, fermentation, and centuries-old traditions — all enjoyed with pintxos straight from our kitchen and poured in the spirit of txotx!

Menu

To begin
Aperitif & Gilda- Our first cider of the evening, served alongside a spicy pickled olive, guindilla pepper and boquerone skewer

All served snack-size alongside 6 ciders to sample
Crispy Pork Belly tossed in warm spicy mayo with crusty baguette
Mortadella & Cream Cheese with crusty baguette
Tuna Salad with Boquerone with crusty baguette
Serrano Ham & Manchego with crusty baguette
Boquerones in Olive Oil with crusty baguette
Spicy Chorizo cooked in Zaipian Cider skewer

Digestif & Dessert
Slice of rich Basque Cheesecake alongside our last cider of the evening.

Arrivals to the bar are from 18:30, and we'll begin the tasting at 19:00.

Bottleshop

Alongside normal bar and kitchen service, you can also purchase cans and both individual and sharing bottles to enjoy at home; the perfect gifts for the aficionados in your life! All ticketholders will receive an exclusive discount for the bottleshop.

If you have any questions, please email bookings@merchants.pub, else we'll look forward to seeing you there!