Armada win claimed in brandy wars

Securing the future of a famous local tipple has been described as a “victory against a modern day Spanish armada” by an MEP.

The first written records of cider brandy go back to 1678 but the historic product was threatened when the European Commission and European Member States drew up agreed definitions of brandy and it was removed from the list.

But cider brandy producers in Somerset have now received confirmation that the tipple will be given a protected status.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

South West MEP Sir Graham Watson has been working with the Somerset Cider Brandy Company to secure Protected Geographical Indication(PGI) to protect the product.

During a four year long battle Sir Graham battled with states such as Spain which were keen to protect their own brandy producers and even served the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso a glass of Somerset cider brandy to give him a taste of the tipple.

Sir Graham said it was “excellent news” that all 27 member states were supporting PGI status for cider brandy.

“We have achieved a victory against a modern day Spanish armada – albeit one of brandy producers.”

Related topics: