Probably the story of calvados is not so much about the glorious apple flavoured brandy but about the apples and cidre produced from the orchards which were found in the general areas around the town of Lisseaux in Northern Normandy. The first English ales were probably made from malted grain or barley called "ealu" in old English and "öl" in Old Norse. Old English "Beor" and Old Norsk "björr" probably did not derive from the Saxon word "Bere" for barley, instead the term was used for sweet alcoholic beverages and most likely for a drink of fermented apples. In the thirteenth century press and crushing techniques were enhanced and people drank cider. Distilled wines in Normandy were thought to have been introduced around 1500 when it is likely that cidre was also reduced down to a spirit.

Ciders ruled the day for many centuries and orchards were planted in the fertile land with many different apple varieties. A guild of cider distillers was created in 1606 and in 1681 controls was placed on the distillation of wines and ciders except in the regions where they were grown. The door was opened for the production of "apple spirits" which were often used in battles, especially at sea as an anaesthetic and an antiseptic for the wounded. After the revolution the old province of Normandy was divided into departments of which one was called Calvados and which gradually became associated with brandy.

By the beginning of the 20th century the cider and apple industry were of economic importance. The area of Pays d'Auge was established as the major producing area since this was where most of the orchards were situated but the Great War brought to an end the good times for calvados. The government requisitioned all the apples and cider to make alcohol used in the process of making explosives but as the war came to an end farmers mysteriously found barrels of calvados hidden in the ground to provide comfort for the surviving troops who were able to benefit from the fruits of the Normandy distillers. It was not until 1923 that a label of origin was created for ciders and cider brandies which established the region as the rightful area of production.

Calvados is essentially distilled in the same manor as Cognac using the Charentais Alembic still see picture below, unlike cognac it can be distilled at any time of the year but there is a difficulty since the apples do not usually provide enough acidity and perry pears, also grown in the region are added in small quantities to aid the distillation. The largest calvados production area is known as Pays d'Auge and produces most of the finest calvados available. The appellation calls for a double distillation of cidre made from apples grown in the region and from orchards free from mistletoe. They must consist of at least 70% of bitter or bittersweet apples and a maximum of 10% acidulous varieties, the orchard must not be irrigated. Calvados must be kept for a minimum of at least two years in oak barrels. There is also an appellation known as Domfrontais which reflects the tradition of mixing apples and pears and based around Domfront in the Orne. At least 30% of pears are used in combination with apples and the calvados must be stored for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.

Wherever you go in Normandy, the buildings reflect the Norman influence. It is a land that has seen great battles and bloodshed but it has lived through it all to provide some of the most beautiful countryside with orchards and farms producing foods and drinks much of which has influenced the English shores and people. Calvados, the 3rd great brandy of France is a glorious example of the spirit of the people who have worked to provide a brandy that in its finest qualities provides a richness and warmth of character totally unique to any other brandy.

 Rich calvados made from fallen apples

Producer:   Chateau de Breuil Product:   Chateau de Breuil 15 y.o. Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £48.75 (£57.28 incl. VAT) Code:   D.B02.P.A0015.1.6a    Description: You have to imagine the smell as a child, coming home just as granny is taking a fruit cake out of the oven, this calvados is full of sultana and baked apple aromas and a rich baked apple taste. It is made from 80% fallen apples that have a higher sugar content.

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	Producer:   Chateau de Breuil Product:   Chateau de Breuil 25 y.o. Reserve de Signeurs Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £81.07 (£95.26 incl. VAT) Code:   D.B02.P.A0025.1.6a    Description: A taste of sweet baked apples with an over indulgent richness. There are 5 apple varieties with only 20% being picked from the tree.
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 Third generation producer from the top region

Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Pays d'Auge - More than 12 y.o. Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £51.89 (£60.97 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.A0012.1.6b    Description: Dupont are probably the finest traditional calvados producer in Normandy.We believe that calvados younger than about 8 years old is best used in cooking but this 12 year old blend is a fine example of their understanding of this fine spirit.

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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Pays d'Auge - More than 20 y.o. Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £78.43 (£92.16 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.A0020.1.6b    Description: This is one of the very good armagnacs that is not a vintage but carries a specific age statement. The quality is very high and it shows softness with good apple flavours.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1967 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £220.00 (£258.50 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1967.1.6b    Description: Only a few bottles remain. This is an extremely fine example of this wonderful house. It is the oldest vintage available from Dupont but worthy of its price.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1969 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £187.55 (£220.37 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1969.1.6b    Description: Intense and rich baked apple flavours that hide much of the pear tastes found in younger calva's.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1974 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £109.84 (£129.06 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1974.1.6b    Description: One of Dupont's very finest, this wonderful calva has deep richness and cooked apple flavours.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1980 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £90.77 (£106.65 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1980.1.6b    Description: Starting to develop a rancio richness, this is a drier calvados but full of apple flavours.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1985 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £73.04 (£85.82 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1985.1.6b    Description: This calvados is well balanced and with distinctive sweet apple flavours.
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	Producer:   Dupont Product:   Dupont Vintage 1989 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £59.30 (£69.68 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D05.P.V1989.1.6b    Description: A clean fresh tasting calvados with distinctive pear tones used in distillation to improve acidity.
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 Pays d'Auge and Domfrontaise calvados

	Producer:   Drouin Product:   Marquis de Saint-Loup Vintage 1958 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £274.89 (£323.00 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D09.P.V1958.1.6b    Description: A very old producer who has made this from just apples. It has a much sharper flavour than the more traditional qualities but a fine example of this firms skills.
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	Producer:   Drouin Product:   Marquis de Saint-Loup Vintage 1979 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £97.54 (£114.61 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D09.P.V1979.1.6b    Description: The taste of cider apples is prominent in this calvados. It has a drier flavour than other calvados from the Pays d’Auge where pear drop aromas are not so prominent
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	Producer:   Drouin Product:   Marquis de Saint-Loup Vintage 1939 Cru:   Pays d'Auge Price:   £484.60 (£569.41 incl. VAT) Code:   D.D09.P.V1939.1.6b    Description: The oldest calvados that we know of. It has a dried apple skin aroma
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