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Didier Bédu President of the Interprofession des Appellations Cidricoles (I.D.A.C.) for France speaks on the organization's criteria for the highly sought after appellation for Calvados and Pommeau.
There are 320 producers of Calvados, with a 28 member board who then elect the president.
There are the Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) regions for Calvados.
Calvados Pays d'Auge
Calvados Domfrontais
For Pommeau there are three AOC regions.
1. Pommeau du Brittany
2. Pommeau du Normandy
3. Pommeau du Maine
For Cider or Cidre as spelled in France there is now three Appellation d'Origine Protégée AOP / AOC regions. The third region just attained status in June 2016.
1. Pays d' Auge (Normandy)
2. Cornouaille ( Britiany)
3. Contentin (Northwest Normandy)
For Perry there is one AOC - Poire Domfront
Besides the long and lengthy process of attaining approval for the appellation Dider presented 3 main criteria for an AOC.
1. The Territory - can only do Calvados in a specific territory
- Clay plays an important role in Calvados
2. Local apples - French apple varieties
3. How it is distilled
What is Calvados?
Calvados is the distillation of cider, aged in cask for a minimum of 2 years - there is no maximum
Typical abv for calvados 40- 41%
What is Pommeau?
Pommeau is an aperitif - mixture of french apple juice and young Calvados is aged in a cask of oak for a minimum 18 months and the abv is between 16 or 18%
No added sugar
The fermentation is blocked by the addition of calvados
The fresh juice and the calvados is mixed immediately
What is the main mission of I.D.A.C.?
1. To improve the quality
With every bottle sold that is has the appellation I.D.A.C. collects fees or small tax on every bottle sold.
The money is used for technical research for constant improvement of the product and to advise the producer for the best quality
I.D.A.C. also publishes statistics on the products
And I.D.A.C. does promotion - meet the press, explain what the organizations does, has an international cocktail competition
How to drink Calvados?
Have calvados as an aperative and with ice
The IDAC website does have recipes
There is a Single cask Calvados which is considered too good to be blended - Single cask Calvadso is not reduced by water
Made in a limited edition - maybe only a 100 bottles
Tasting notes for calvados: look for the fruit
- The consumer looks for the fruity side - which should always be present.
- young 2 years old very easy
- despite the long aging - you never lose this fruity aspect or fruity
- woody, spicy lots of different aromas after aging
- serve in a tulip glass - if neat (no ice)
- to be savored not a shot glass
- "Calvados can be combined it with a lot of things - enjoy with a cup of coffee, with cheese, square of chocolate, enjoy with a cigar"
What is the perfect age - where you just want to drink
after 6 drink
Cider, Calvados and Pommeau tourism in France
There are 20 -30 Calvados distilleries to visit
There are 1.3 million visitors per year going to the French distilleries
150,000 visitors in Normandy alone
Mentions in this chat:
049: Agathe Letellier | Manoir d'Apreval, France
Jazz sous les Pommiers or Jazz Under the Apple Trees Fest takes place every year in Coutances during Ascension week (in May)
Calvados route through Normandy http://www.calvados-tourisme.co.uk/en/discover/tourist-trails/the-cider-route.php
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