Oviedo Local Customs

It was tempting for us to try pouring the sidra ourselves, especially after we had drunk a couple, fortunately we didn't, it's an art we could never master. This friendly barman was happy for us to photo him at wok, did ask first!

The local tipple is sidra or cider in English and what a great drink it is. Turns up in a wine bottle with a alcohol content of around 6 - 6 1/2% Expertly poured by the barman the air is removed, we tried several siderias and enjoyed every one.

My brother Jorge is getting married on January 18th, 2003 with Lucia, his girl-friend.
They are going to celebrate it with our family, and in the evening, we are having a party for Jorge's friend in a pub in Oviedo.
Good luck for them, and be happy!

The Secret of the Sidra...
When you enter an Asturian 'Sidraría' you will notice a weird smell, wood shavings on the floor, and waiters 'escanciando la sidra' in a for you very strange way...
Sidra is always served as you can see it on the picture. The bottle has to be lifted up high above the head and the cidre be poured into the glass in a certain angle. The glass will only contain a small amount of cidre when the waiter hands it to you. You will be expected to empty it with just one sip, except of a tiny bit that you either spill on the floor (preferably in one of the waste baskets that have been put there for this purpose) or just leave your glass on the table like that. Weird thing, isn´t it?! You will be amused, you will be astounished and you will love it, maybe you will even try this high art by yourself.

This place is mainly known because Asturias' Prince, the future king of Spain, gives his Awards. They are our own Nobel's. To visit it, go to Escandalera's Square, near San Francisco's Park.