Spirits: Calvados

Question 1

Calvados AOC’s
- assemblage
- distillation techniques for each
- “apple rules”
- min. and max. ABV

Answer 1

1. Calvados AOC
   - Apple and/or Pear
   - copper continuous OR copper pot still
2. Calvados Pays d’Auge AOC
   - Apple + max. 30% pear
   - Copper pot still
3. Calvados Domfrontais AOC
   - Apple + min. 30% pear
   - continuous reflux column still aka alambic a colonne de premier jet

Apples rules = min. 70% bitter, max 15% acidic varieties. Min. 20% “local” varieties

MIN ABV: 40%
Max ABV = 72% (same as Armagnac; Cognac is 73.7%)

Question 2

In the production of Calvados, what is “rémiage”?

Answer 2

A second maceration with water added to the marc. Any juice extracted by this method must have a min. must weight of 48 g/l.

Question 3

Calvados AOC Age Indications
- min. age, max cask size
- other levels

Answer 3

MINIMUM 2 years for Calvados/Pays d’Auge (from July 1 following distillation). Ages in oak, mask cask size 20hl. 3 years for Domfrontais.

VS, Trois Pommes: min. 2 yrs (NOT Domfrontais)
Vieux / Réserve: min. 3 yrs
VO/VSOP / Vieille Réserve: min. 4 yrs
Hors d’Age / XO / Très Vieille Réserve / Très Vieux / Extra / Napoléon: min. 6 yrs

Question 4

Calvados Hors d’Age age

Answer 4

Min 6 years for the youngest Calvados in the blend

Question 5

Calvados XO age

Answer 5

Min 6yrs
(youngest in blend)

• remember.. Cognac & Armagnac XO is 10

Question 6

Which of the three Calvados AC’s has the longest minimum aging requirement

Answer 6

Domfrontais AC
Min. 3 years for the youngest Calvados in the blend

Question 7

Which of the Calvados AC would be distilled in a continuous still?

Answer 7

Calvados AC (has the option)
Domfrontais AC (must be)

Question 8

Which of the Calvados AC’s would be distilled in a copper pot still?

Answer 8

Calvados AC (has the option)
Pays d’Auge (required)

Question 9

What are the 2 permitted pruning methods for Calvados AC?

Answer 9

Haute Tige: grows tall trees
Bas Tige: grows smaller trees that produce faster

Question 10

What additives are allowed for Calvados AC?

Answer 10

Sugar, caramel, oak chips, water for alcohol adjustment

NOT ALLOWED: Pasteurization, Acidification, Chaptalization, Carbonation

Question 11

What is the French name for “spirit boiler” - the other name for the Charentais Alembic still?

Answer 11

Chaudière d’eau-de-vie

Question 12

Term for estate Calvados

Answer 12

Produit Fermier

Question 13

Pommeau du Normandie
- process
- abv
- oak aging
- other AC’s for pommeau

Answer 13

Mistelle
- made by mixing 2/3 unfermented apple juice + 1/3 Calvados
- ABV: 16 - 18%
- ages 14m in oak

[Pommeau has AC’s in Brittany, Normandy, & Maine]