What type of alcoholic drink is Calvados?
Calvados is a cider or perry eau-de-vie and not an apple or pear eau-de-vie — i.e. it is obtained from fruit that has already been fermented. It is dependent on the terroir, the varieties harvested, their quality and quantity, and the nature of the cider or perry made from these fruits.
Is Calvados a brandy?
A Taste of History Calvados is an apple brandy with Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status. It can only be produced in Normandy, much like Cognac is a specific brandy that can only be distilled from white wine made within a particular region from certain grapes. Calvados isn’t distilled from wine grapes, however.
Is Calvados a wine?
Calvados is a type of brandy or eau-de-vie that is named after its home region in Normandy. Unlike most other celebrated French brandies like cognac and Armagnac, calvados is made from apple cider rather than wine. Occasionally, it can also be made from pear cider or perry as well.
What do you use Calvados for?
It’s produced from distilled cider and matured in oak barrels. In Normandy it’s traditionally served as a digestif during (yes, during) the meal. It’s good in cocktails and makes an excellent mulled cider mixed with apple juice, cider, cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar.
Do you drink Calvados neat?
Béjot advises serving it in a tulip-shaped glass, which will trap the aromas, and drinking neat without ice for maximum flavour — “small wine glasses are also fine [to serve in],” he stipulates.
Should Calvados be refrigerated?
On its own, Calvados goes down smoothly at room temperature, but the apple taste in the foreground makes it surprisingly refreshing served chilled.
Should Calvados be warmed?
Flambéing with Calvados: To succeed in flambéing, it is important to warm the calvados gently in a small pan. Once it is hot light the Calvados in the pan and tip it carefully over the dish to be flambéd.
How long will Calvados last once opened?
CALVADOS, COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED – UNOPENED OR OPENED How long does calvados last? The answer to that question is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions – when properly stored, a bottle of calvados has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened.
Does Calvados help digestion?
Digestifs remain highly popular in France today. A tipple of calvados, cognac or armagnac after a hearty meal is seen as a luxurious way to help the digestive system. At the other end are apéritifs (apéro) such as kir, white wine or pastis that are thought to sharpen the appetite before a meal.
Should you chill Calvados?
Should you refrigerate Calvados?
To maximize the shelf life of calvados for quality purposes, store in a cool dry area away from direct heat or sunlight; keep tightly closed when not in use.
Is Calvados an aperitif or digestif?
Calvados can be served as an apéritif, blended in drinks, between meals, as a digestif, or with coffee. Well-made calvados should naturally be reminiscent of apples and pears, balanced with flavours of aging. The less-aged calvados distinguishes itself with its fresh apple and pear aromas.
How long will calvados last once opened?
Do you drink calvados neat?
Is Calvados a digestif?
Calvados: Named after part of the Lower Normandy region of France, this apple brandy tastes every bit of distilled cider and is a perfect digestif for a cold evening.
Should calvados be warmed?
Should calvados be chilled?