What is Calvados brandy?
Calvados is an apple and pear spirit from Normandy, France. Its official French specification (2021) says it is distilled only from cider or perry (pear cider) and aged at least 2 years in oak, with at least 40% alcohol by volume when sold. It is often called apple brandy, but the EU registers it as a cider and perry spirit.
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In this article
What is Calvados made from?
The AOC Calvados specification, approved by French decree on 17 December 2021, reserves the name for spirits from the distillation of ciders or perries only. Perry is cider made from pears. The fruit must come from the defined area in Normandy, and the specification sets orchard rules: at least 35% of the surface from high-stem orchards, and at least 70% of apple trees of phenolic (cider) varieties.
Is Calvados a brandy?
In everyday use, yes: it is a fruit spirit often called apple brandy. In law it is registered under EU Regulation 2019/787 in the category for cider spirit, perry spirit and cider and perry spirit, not in the wine-based “brandy” category. So Calvados is brandy in the common sense, but not under the EU brandy definition.
How is Calvados made and aged?
It is distilled in copper stills at no more than 72% alcohol by volume. Spirits for direct drinking are aged at least 24 months from filling into oak casks.
How strong is Calvados?
It must be at least 40% ABV when sold. One US standard drink is 14 g of alcohol (NIAAA), so check the label and pour accordingly.
What does it taste like?
The specification describes a color from straw yellow to deep amber, with fruit aromas and often spice notes as it ages.
People also ask
Is Calvados a brandy?
Commonly yes (apple brandy), but the EU registers it as a cider and perry spirit, a separate category from brandy.
What is Calvados made from?
Only distilled cider, perry (pear cider), or a blend of both, per the 2021 AOC specification.
How long is Calvados aged?
At least 2 years (24 months) in oak for spirits sold for direct drinking.
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