Some of the large producers (Busnel, Magloire etc) are well known already and covered extensively elsewhere on the web....we concentrate on some of the smaller distilleries that produce the hidden gems of Calvados. Often located in wonderful old buildings and producing only small quantities each year. This is a rich tapestry of fascinating characters and family histories going back centuries. And of course we will provide details of the different Calvados they produce, its age and availability, along with Tasting Notes....It will be a tough job, but Pete has volunteered........

One fine, sunny and distinctly 'Normandy' afternoon we decided to do a spot of sight-seeing and search out the splendid Chateau de St Germain de Livet, one of the gems of the region.

It was a lovely day and, rather than use the main roads, we couldn't resist wending the way through the picturesque country lanes to Fervaques and on to Pretreville. It was there, while looking for a sign for the Chateau, that we spotted an old,  hand-painted wooden sign indicating 'Manoir de Querville XVI-XVII Sciecle' . We simply had to satisfy our curiosity!

A mile or so up the narrow road we began to wonder if we'd missed our turn when another, larger version of the wooden sign which pointed the way down a farm track with the promise of 'Calvados Cidre'..... So, we meandered down a track and came upon that wonderfully unique Norman scene of old cider apple orchards shading the endearingly beautiful spotted cows. The scene was set...we had to find the Calvados.

A few yards further and the magnificent Manoir de Querville came into view....or more accurately, its fine gatehouse. Normandy is dotted with old timber framed 'Manoirs', like miniture Chateaux, but this was special. It was a scene of timeless, Old Normandy. The gatehouse was a medley of mellow brick, stone, and timbers, under a steeply pitched roof. Beyond this guard we could just make out that there was a central courtyard and the mystery of the manoir itself beyond.

We parked the chariot in the space outside the gatehouse and decided to venture in on foot. Afterall visitors were welcomed for 'Degustation'! The tranquility was soon broken by the rumbling bark of a very large Doberman which loomed into view. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea afterall! As we dithered on the point of retreat, a window opened on the second floor of the manor house and a sprightly elderly lady inquired what we wanted. It was easy enough, even in my limited French to convey that it was we were after: "Bonjour Madame! Je voudrais acheter une boutielle de Calvados s'il vous plait!"  The lady promptly bobbed her head back inside and, in a surprisingly short amount of time had appeared in the courtyard and ordered 'Oscar', who was clearly much in awe of his diminutive  mistress, to be quiet.

Madame, perhaps around 80 but lively as a cricket and with a merry face, listened politely as I explained my requirements in rather mangled French. Only to find that, to my relief, Madame spoke excellent English.This was a huge bonus because it meant I could ask for more details about this wonderful place. We were duly shown around the outside of the house, and the back of the Manoir particularly, with its various old windows and loop-holes, illustrated how much the building had been re-modelled over the centuries. Madame explained that she and her late husband had bought the dilapidated old manoir just after the War and, while bringing up a family, gradually restored the property and re-invigorated its production of Calvados Pays D'Auge.

Following the brief tour...accompanied by the vigilent but quiet Oscar....we were ushered into the tasting room beside the distillery.  This was a far cry from the much more elaborate commercial 'tours' but much more fun. It was a whitewashed farm building with a few barrels and some photographs and dusty prize certificates . It became clear that they sold no Calvados until it was at least 17 years old, and much of it was older. That  sounded good to me so I tried the measure Madame poured for me. It was wonderful stuff! Mellow, woody, smooth yet not heavy at all. Thirty two Euros a bottle? I'll have two!

Madame, with great care, placed the bottles in boxes that probably haven't changed in design for 60 years and wrote out the receipt with due ceremony. No aspect of the important business of making, buying and enjoying Calvados is to be rushed...everything is to be savoured. We were so pleased that a part of Normandy... past and present mingled together....was coming home with us.

 We were invited to peep into the distillery on our way out. It featured the wonderfully Heath Robinson copper stills we'd seen before, but was only on a small scale. We asked how much Calvados was produced each year...'Not Enough' was Madame's first response, followed by a rough figure of 1000 bottles. We were then shown the cider that was used to produce the Calvados, and naturally we had to have two cases of that as well! (Madame is a skilled vendor!)

With our visit at an end, we said 'Au Revoir' to Madame and the ever vigilant Oscar, sure in the knowledge that we will be regular visitors. The Chateau de Livet would have to wait for another day.....we simply had to get home and open a bottle...All in all a perfect way to spend an afternoon and enjoy the taste of Calvados in every sense....It fired our imagination and has led to a quest to reveal more of these hidden treasures. Well, perhaps just alittle of them.....after all, we all like to keep a secret!

Peter.