050: Didier Bédu | Président de l'I.D.A.C., France

Follow on twitter @ciderchat   Didier Bédu President of the Interprofession des Appellations Cidricoles (I.D.A.C.) for France speaks on the organization's criteria for the highly sought after appellation for Calvados and Pommeau. There are 320 producers of Calvados, with a 28 member board who then elect the president. There are the Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) regions for Calvados. Calvados Pays d'Auge Calvados Domfrontais For Pommeau there are three AOC regions.   1. Pommeau du Brittany 2. Pommeau du Normandy 3. Pommeau du Maine   For Cider or Cidre as spelled in France there is now three Appellation d'Origine Protégée AOP / AOC regions. The third region just attained status in June 2016. 1. Pays d' Auge (Normandy) 2. Cornouaille ( Britiany) 3. Contentin (Northwest Normandy)   For Perry there is one AOC - Poire Domfront Besides the long and lengthy process of attaining approval for the appellation Dider presented 3 main criteria for an AOC.   1. The Territory - can only do Calvados in a specific territory - Clay plays  an important role in Calvados 2. Local apples - French apple varieties 3. How it is distilled   What is Calvados? Calvados is the distillation of cider, aged in cask for a minimum of 2 years - there is no maximum Typical abv for calvados 40- 41%   What is Pommeau? Pommeau is an aperitif - mixture of french apple juice and young Calvados is aged in a cask of oak for a minimum 18 months  and the abv is between 16 or 18% No added sugar The fermentation is blocked by the addition of calvados The fresh juice and the calvados is mixed immediately   What is the main mission of I.D.A.C.? 1. To improve the quality   With every bottle sold that is has the appellation I.D.A.C. collects fees or small tax on every bottle sold. The money is used for technical research for constant improvement of the product and to advise the producer for the best quality   I.D.A.C. also publishes statistics on the products   And I.D.A.C. does promotion - meet the press, explain what the organizations does, has an international cocktail competition   How to drink Calvados? Have calvados as an aperative and with ice The IDAC website does have recipes   There is a Single cask Calvados which is considered too good to be blended - Single cask Calvadso is not reduced by water Made in a limited edition - maybe only a 100 bottles   Tasting notes for calvados: look for the fruit The consumer looks for the fruity side - which should always be present. young 2 years old very easy despite the long aging - you never lose this fruity aspect or fruity woody, spicy lots of different aromas after aging serve in a tulip glass - if neat (no ice) to be savored not a shot glass "Calvados can be combined it with a lot of things - enjoy with a cup of coffee, with cheese, square of chocolate, enjoy with a cigar" What is the perfect age - where you just want to drink after 6 drink Cider, Calvados and Pommeau tourism in France There are 20 -30 Calvados distilleries to visit There are 1.3 million visitors per year going to the French distilleries 150,000 visitors in Normandy alone Mentions in this chat: 049: Agathe Letellier | Manoir d'Apreval, France Jazz sous les Pommiers or Jazz Under the Apple Trees Fest takes place every year in Coutances during Ascension week (in May)   Calvados route through Normandy http://www.calvados-tourisme.co.uk/en/discover/tourist-trails/the-cider-route.php   Please Help Support Cider Chat's (Ria's) trip to the International Hall of Gala Ciders. I am sure I won't have this trip paid off for a while and every little bit counts. Please donate today. Social Media company mentioned in this chat We Are Pr - helping small business manage social media Donate to Cider Chat! Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio and where ever you love to listen to podcasts.