Spanish retailer Eroski has launched a new own-brand cider under its gourmet Eroski Seleqtia range, stamped with designation of origin Euskal Sagardoa.
The company said that the new product represented a step ahead in its commitment to showcasing the diversity of the Basque country.
"In Eroski, we address this commitment through a close relationship of support with local agri-food suppliers and a wide and varied offer that offers more than 20,000 local products from 2,000 small producers," said the commercial director of local products of Eroski, Asun Bastida.
In 2017, the cooperative sold more than one million bottles of cider produced in the Basque Country, an increase of 4% on 2016.
DO Euskal Sagardoa
The Euskal Sagardoa designation of origin stamp requires that ciders be made from apple varieties native to the Basque Country, which are subject to certain physical, chemical and sensorial controls, dictated by accreditation body ENAC.
"Cider with the DO Euskal Sagardoa seal is made with 100% native apples. Steps are taken in the production of the apple to ensure the highest quality, promoting balanced harvests and ensuring the quality of the Euskal Sagardoa cider," explained the manager of the DO Euskal Sagardoa, Unai Agirre.
"In addition, the commitment of distributors like EROSKI for cider is fundamental to guarantee the future of the sector."
The new private-label cider, like all Eroski Seleqtia products, was initially tested at the Basque Culinary Centre. Testing includes professional tastings, input from sensory food analysis experts, as well as teaching staff from the faculty of gastronomic sciences, and finally, via collaborations with guest chefs.
'In this way, Eroski reinforces the guarantee in excellence of its brand of high-end products,' the company commented.
Eroski Seleqtia
The Eroski Seleqtia brand has 196 products which include roughly 30 DO and protected geographical indications, produced in areas such as Navarra, Seville, Alicante, and the Basque Country in Spain.
Products in this line don't contain genetically modified ingredients or partially hydrogenated vegetable fats, and possess the most advanced nutritional labelling for consumers.
In early May, the retailer announced the launch of a new range of meat products under the Eroski Seleqtia label.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
