Reinette apple juice from Verger du Sirieu in Thieusies

An orchard in the municipality of Soignies

Verger du Sirieu is in Thieusies, in the municipality and district of Soignies. Its apple juice listing specifies a blend of reinette apples grown exclusively in its orchard, planted in 2000. This is not a regional speciality whose recipe is claimed in a distant past. It is present-day local production with an identifiable place, raw ingredient and family. It adds an alcohol-free drink to our selection, distinct from cider also produced on site.

Preserving a meadow by planting it

In the farm account, Patrick explains choosing a standard-tree orchard to preserve a meadow rather than convert it to conventional crops. The project centres on old varieties and family transmission. Sirieu takes its name from the Thieusies hamlet. This gives tangible meaning to the bottle or container bought: juice makes use of fruit from a landscape the family chose to maintain differently.

Planting at a child's height

The producer's detail is touching without needing a legend: his seven-year-old son Pierre helped plant the trees. The orchard's growth and a generation's years echo each other. The website now presents organic activity, and the municipality lists Verger du Sirieu in its local-producer network. Distinguish this connection from any general promise about the origin of every drink sold in a nearby shop.

Another expression of local food culture

Apple juice gives the orchard a place at the table without alcohol. It connects tree, harvest and processing in an everyday product. Orchard name and exact product remain more informative than a general flavour promise. The bottle's information and producer's advice explain storage and serving for what is actually offered.

Not confusing juice with cider

The official website distinguishes apples, juice and Saint-Vincent cider. Check your chosen product: this article concerns juice, not the alcoholic fermented drink. Consult collection and visitor arrangements; orchard visits are organised for groups by reservation, not guaranteed without booking. Follow the purchased container's storage instructions. The photo generically illustrates apple juice in glasses, taken in Canada in 2010; it does not show Sirieu juice.

Photos and credits

Photo 1 — Generic illustration of apple juice in glasses, Vancouver, November 2010; not a Verger du Sirieu product. Geoff Peters · CC BY 2.0 · Source.