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\n![\"20230111_TXOTXBERRIA_XXX_92\"](\"https:\/\/basquemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20230111_TXOTXBERRIA_XXX_92.jpg\" "\\"20230111_TXOTXBERRIA_XXX_92\\"")
\n\tThe event began at 12: 00 noon in Sagardoetxea with a press conference, with the participation of Xabier Urdangarin<\/strong> (Mayor of Astigarraga), Jabier Larra\u00f1aga<\/strong> (Regional Councillor for Economic Promotion, Tourism and the Rural Environment), Bittor Oroz<\/strong> (Deputy Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policy), Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda de Cos<\/strong> (Deputy Regional Minister for Tourism and Trade), Maider Lopetegi<\/strong> (President of Fruitel and representative of Euskal Sagardoa),\u00a0Ion Zapiain<\/strong> (Zapiain cider maker and representative of Euskal Sagardoa) and the guests Aitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola.<\/p>\n The mayor, Xabier Urdangarin<\/strong>, called for coexistence and respect during the enjoyment of the txotx season. For his part, the Deputy Jabier Larra\u00f1aga<\/strong> highlighted the collaboration and work carried out between all the agents for the promotion of our identity. For his part, the Deputy Regional Minister Bittor Oroz<\/strong> stressed that there are many new products made from apples and that this enriches the Euskal Sagardoa Designation of Origin. For his part, Deputy Regional Minister Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda de Cos<\/strong> stressed that the txotx rite is a fundamental experience that attracts visitors to the Basque Country.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t As Maider Lopetegi<\/strong> presented, this year’s harvest was smaller than last year’s for the Euskal Sagardoa Designation of Origin<\/strong> and around 1,200,000 litres<\/strong> of Euskal Sagardoa were produced. In total, around 2 million kilos of apples were harvested from 480 hectares of the Designation of Origin. The drought in both spring and summer has affected the apple harvest and he pointed out that the objective from now on will be to achieve balanced harvests.<\/p>\n Ion Zapiain<\/strong> explained that this year, with the 2022 harvest, around 10 million litres of cider<\/strong> have been produced in the Basque Country. The drought and the poor harvest have influenced the characteristics of the apples, so we will taste ciders with high tannin and great character. In the long run, they are ciders that will evolve very well.<\/p>\n Finally, Aitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola said that they received the invitation “with great enthusiasm”<\/strong> and acknowledged that, despite not being experts in the world of cider, they really enjoy the tradition of going to a cider house. What’s more, it has been important for them to discover everything there is behind the cider culture.<\/p>\n After the press conference, Aitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola planted a new apple tree in the Sagardoetxea<\/strong> apple orchard, and then came the most important moment of the event: in the Alorrenea cider house in Astigarraga to the cry of “Gure Sagardo Berria”<\/strong><\/em>, Aitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola opened the first kupela, and with it, the 2023 txotx season began.<\/p>\n\t![\"Aitziber](\"https:\/\/basquemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20230111_TXOTXBERERRIA_XXX_.jpg\" "\\"20230111_TXOTXBERERRIA_XXX_\\"")
\n\t\tAitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola have planted a new apple tree in the Sagardoetxea apple orchard\n\t\n\t\tAitziber Garmendia and Jon Plazaola\n\t<\/h2>\n\t