Esferic in Barcelona was filled with violin tones and an expectant mood when Apal Sideri and OmCider invited to launch Norwegian sides in the Spanish market. Together with importer Arctic Appeties, they welcomed an evening that combined crafts, stories, food and people - and opened the door to new possibilities.
It wasn't just siders being served on this night. There were stories. About the soil in Ryfylke. About apples that can withstand weather and wind. About people who plant, develop and refine with respect for the raw material — and with their eyes fixed on the world. Over 100 invited guests from the Spanish food and beverage industry, sommeliers, pommeliers, chefs, importers, press, Innovation Norway, Spain and The Norwegian Consul General got to experience something completely new — Norwegian handicraft pages, served with Spanish cuisine and Norwegian dissemination.
“We wanted to create something that felt real. Not a presentation, but an experience. An evening that shows who we are, what we make — and why it is relevant here in Spain too”, says Bodil Kvame, entrepreneur of OmCider.
From apple to experience
Throughout the evening, guests tasted seven different siders — Aurum, Svala, Flirt, Valagubben, Elysian, Odel and Silver Pages — combined with Spanish snacks carefully selected for the occasion. The Ciderologist Gabe Cook led the evening from the stage, sharing stories about Norwegian cider tradition, climatic benefits and the unique expression the apples from Ryfylke give.
“It was incredibly strong to see how people listened, tasted and nodded recognizably — to something they had never tasted before”, says Dan Olav Sæbø from Apal Sideri.
“You notice when you hit a nerve. This night we did.”
Food, People and Meaning
The venue was beautifully rigged with standing tables, apple decorations and live music from a violinist. Chef Arne Nese of Ekte Matglade highlighted the side's many layers together with Gabe Cook, and guided guests through several food pairings.
“Norwegian Pages is an experience in itself. It has structure, acidity and finesse -- perfect for food. Getting to combine it with Spanish flavors was a creative journey and the response was incredibly positive”, Nese says.
In addition to food and drinks, there was plenty of time for conversations, networking and contact exchanges. Several new connections were made with potential partners, and the interest in Norwegian sides turned out to be real.
A joint venture — with a view to Europe
The event was conducted in close cooperation with Arctic Appetites, which acts as an importer and market developer for the producers in Spain. TEAL has assisted in strategy and business development ahead of and during the launch.
“This is about more than exports. It's about people who dare, who collaborate and who build something with substance. It was inspiring to see what we can achieve together — and it gives us faith in the next step”, says Bent O. Hansen of TEAL.
Jon Magnus Solgaard of Arctic Appetites is clear that the work is now continuing.
“This was the first meeting. Now we will follow up, concretize and build relationships further. But the evening confirmed one thing: Norwegian sides belong on the international table.”
The launch in Barcelona did not mark the end of a process, but the beginning of a journey. A journey where apples from Hjelmeland meet European palates — and where the taste of Norwegian nature takes its place in new menus.
“This is just the start. But it's an extremely good start. We couldn't have hoped for a better reception.”, says Andreas Kvame in OmCider.
