The story of Les Vergers de la Morinière is rooted in a total commitment to traditional, chemical-free orchard farming in the heart of Normandy's famous Pays d'Auge region. Here, producer Astrid Hubert personally tends to 15 hectares of beautiful, unsprayed orchards. Instead of relying on a single fruit profile, Astrid grows 15 distinct varieties of traditional cider apples, combining them with a tiny 5% splash of pears to add a brilliant touch of crispness and balance to the blend. By leaving the orchards completely unsprayed, the fruit develops a pure, intense flavour that forms the perfect foundation for world-class distillation.
The incredible depth of these spirits comes from a slow, patient aging process that cannot be rushed. Once the fruit is harvested and pressed, the cider is left to settle and mature in massive old oak vats, known as foudres, for an entire year before it ever touches the still. After distillation, the young Calvados is transferred into long, ancient oak barrels to mature peacefully in the cellar. Unlike mass-produced spirits blended from various years, Astrid only creates single-vintage Calvados, meaning every single bottle captures the unique personality, weather, and character of one specific harvest year.
For anyone looking to experience a truly sublime French spirit, this collection offers an exceptional alternative to traditional brandies or whiskies. These vintage expressions are incredibly smooth, bursting with rich aromas of baked apples, warm spices, vanilla, and a hint of toasted oak. Because they are crafted with such care, they make an unforgettable after-dinner drink. They are best enjoyed served neat in a tulip glass alongside a board of mature cheeses like Camembert, a classic tarte tatin, or simply sipped slowly by the fire as a luxurious digestif.