Somerset Cider Brandy, an historic spirit that faced being outlawed, has been granted Protected Geographical Indication Status in Europe following a four-year, government-backed campaign by suppliers and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
Written records for the niche spirit made from distilled cider date back to 1678, but it was threatened with prohibition after being omitted from an EU list defining brandy products. Spanish brandy suppliers wanted the term restricted to products derived from grapes.
“This decision will protect the long-term future of an industry that already contributes more than £4m to Somerset’s economy, and will preserve the local landscape and way of life,” said agriculture minister James Paice.
Julian Temperley, whose Somerset Cider Brandy Company is the largest producer in the county and in 1989 became the first company in recorded history to be granted a full cider distilling licence , said the new status would “help secure the future of traditional orchards” in the West Country.