Calvados VSOP
A.O.C. Calvados du Pays d'Auge

Calvados VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) has aged 5 years in oak barrels, with 25% of new oak.

Terroir

Clay and Oxfordian marl soil.

Varieties

80% of bittersweet apples
20% of acid apples

Harvesting

from September to November

Alcohol cont.

42 % vol.

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Techniques used

The apples are mixed, crushed and pressed. The apple juice is fermented right out to give cider to be distilled. Double distillation is carried out 6 months after the fermentation has taken place. The first distillation gives the "petite eau" at 30% by volume and it is the second distillation, that of the "petite eau" which gives the Calvados.
Aging: Five years minimum. In toasted 400 L (88 imperial gallon) oak barrels, 25% of which are new. Bottled when ordered.

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Tasting notes

Eyes: Gold color. Bright and clear.
Nose: Intense and soft. Notes of toasted oak and liquorice, vanilla sugar,  and white fresh fruit.
Mouth: First sensation is sweet and soft with notes of apple juicy. Empty glass offers notes of vanilla, soft almond and hay.

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(Read also: Tasting Calvados)

Suggestions

- Storage: very long, bottles upright without special precautions.
- As an Aperitif: on its own, over ice, or with a drop or two of water to let it release its aromas.
- For cooking: to flambé, and for sorbets and granités.
- As a digestive: drinking temperature 20-22°C (68 to 72°F).

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Press comments

Daily Telegraph: "Pure pleasure." (Dec. 2015)
Sunday Times Magazine:
    "rich on the nose and pleasantly biting on the finish." (Feb. 2019)

Bottle types: 70 cl - 50 cl - 35 cl