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Calvados
Calvados is both a place and a drink. It is a department that lies in the heart of Normandy and includes amongst its many jewels the pretty harbour town of Honfleur, swanky Deauville, and the port town of Caen, capital of Calvados as well as William the conquerors last home town.
This area is known as the garden of Paris, rich in fruit, vegetables, fish and meat products. It’s also home to some of the best apple orchards in the world from which Calvados the drink is made…
Normandy Eau de Vie
They’ve been making cider in Normandy for centuries and from cider comes Calvados, a sort of apple brandy known as a “drink fit for kings and farmers alike”.
The first official reference regarding cider distillation in Normandy was described by Sir Gilles de Gouberville in his diaries on 28 of March 1553.
Four different types of apple are grown in Calvados - sweet, bitter sweet, bitter and acidic - the perfect combination for cider. To create Calvados, the cider is distilled twice creating eau de vie. The liquid is matured in wood barrels and blended. The result is a strong and rather subtle taste that can blow your socks off.
One of the best known and most important Calvados producers is Pere Magloire, founded in 1821. Their range includes several bottles of differing ages and you'll find Calvados easily in shops in France as well as overseas.