Calvados

Question 1

Name the 3 appellations of Calvados

Answer 1

• Calvados
• Calvados Pays d’Auge
• Calvados Domfrontais

Question 2

From which area in France does Calvados come from and what year did it originate in?

Answer 2

Normandy in 1533 (but probably earlier)

Question 3

Name the 4 categories of apple used to make Calvados

Answer 3

• acidic/sour
• bittersour
• bittersweet
• sweet

Question 4

How many varieties of apple are used to make Calvados?

Answer 4

Up to 40 varieties but there are limits on the proportion from each official category

Question 5

What percentage of trees in a Calvados orchard must be local varieties and why?

Answer 5

20% to protect the local heritage of the region

Question 6

Briefly explain the fermentation process of Calvados

Answer 6

All varieties of apple are processed together. They are crushed, pressed and the juice collected for ferment. No cultured yeast is allowed and neither is SO2. The end result is a cider of around 6% abv.

Question 7

Name the 3 different types of Calvados and their distillation regulations.

Answer 7

• Calvados
  Can be distilled in either a double column still or a 30hl copper pot still.
• Calvados Pays d’Auge
  Must be double distilled in a 30hl copper pot still
• Calvados Domfrontais
  Must be distilled in a copper double-column still

Question 8

What are vessels used to mature Calvados called?

Answer 8

They are called foudres and they are made of oak. The hold between 1,000 & 10,000 litres and are used repeatedly for decades. They do not impart oak flavour but do allow for a slow oxidation.

Question 9

Name the 5 age designations that can appear on a Calvados label.

Answer 9

• *** (3 star) or VS or Fine
  The youngest spirit is at least 2 years old
• Vieux or Reerve
  Youngest spiriti is at least 3 years old
• VO or VSOP or Vielle Reserve
  Youngest spirit is at least 4 years old
• Napoleon
  Youngest spirit is at least 6 years old
• XO, Hors d’age, Tres Vielle Reserve, Tres Vieux or Extra
  Youngest eau-de-vie is 10 years old