Calvados

Calvados is a spirit made from fermented cider, partly with the addition of perry, coming from Normandy and protected. The apples are special cider varieties that can be sour, bitter or sweet. There are spirits from single distillation in a column and double-distilled ones from the pot.

After distillation, calvados matures for at least two years in oak barrels; older qualities carry designations such as Vieille Réserve or XO. Aromas range from fresh apple to spice and dried fruit. Calvados is drunk as a digestif and used in cooking.