A Beginner's Guide To The Normandy Liqueur Calvados

Everyone knows France for its wine: Burgundy’s smooth Pinot Noir, Bordeaux’s robust Cabernet Sauvignon and the Loire Valley’s sweet Muscadet. But what about areas with climates that are too cool and damp to produce the country’s most famed beverage? Leave it to the French to work with – and master – what they’ve got. Introducing Calvados, the apple brandy native to Normandy.

A brief history

The history of Calvados, or calva, as it’s commonly called among the people of Normandy, can be traced back to over 400 years ago in the early 16th century. The first recorded mention of the apple brandy was by the Lord de Gouberville, Gilles Picot, in 1553 and 50 years later, a guild for cider distillation was created. Calvadosbecame increasingly popular following the phylloxera crisis in the late 19th century that destroyed most of France’s vineyards, leaving the French to turn their attention to the eau-de-vie of Normandy. In 1942, Calvados received its AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée) designation, protecting and regulating its method and region of production, and further strengthening the drink’s image.

The production process

A traditional alambic used for cider distillation in Cambremer, France

How to enjoy Calvados

Calvados can be enjoyed either as an apéritif to whet the appetite prior to a meal or as a digéstif, either during a meal or after to aid in the digestion process. The custom of Normandy when it comes to their beloved drink is called the Trou Normand, where a small glass of the liqueur, sometimes poured over a scoop of apple sorbet, is enjoyed between courses to reawaken the diner’s palette. The glassware used to drink Calvados should be tulip-shaped, with a curve at the top to contain the aromatics, and served at room temperature. Calvados producers oftentimes also bottle pommeau, which isCalvados that’s been aged for only a year mixed with fermented apple juice, typically offered as an apéritif.

A glass of Calvados served in the appropriate glass

Travelling the Cider Route

If you like what you hear, a visit to Normandy provides ample opportunity to sip and savour Calvados and other apple beverages, much like a wine tasting through the vineyards of Burgundy or Bordeaux would provide. In Normandy, it’s the Cider Route. Located east of Caen, the route is a 40-kilometre long road throughout the Pays d’Auge that can be navigated by car or bike. The road is easily followed, pointed out by signs with a red apple reading Route du Cidre guiding the way. Begin in the village of Cambremer and travel the route as marked. Producers that have included themselves as part of the route will have an additional sign reading Cru de Cambremer and welcome travellers in for a tasting; just be sure to check out opening times and if appointments are necessary ahead of time.

An apple farm in Normandy along the Cider Route

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.