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CIDERS
– DISCOVERY –
by their typical flavours”, comments export sales manager
Philippe Coignat. “Each market has its own preferences
and the work of our cellar master Alain Le Page allows
us to closely align with our customers’ expectations. For
example, our dry ciders show a hint of tannin entwined
with a touch of sourness and a refreshing aftertaste, due to
a blend of sweet, bitter-sweet and bitter apples that have
very little acidity. The resultant aromas are ripe fruit with
hints of herbs and spices”.
Val de Rance cellar master Alain Lepage
LES CELLIERS DE L’ODET: SOUL BROTHERS
Three brothers, Guillaume, Joseph and Mathieu Jan,
united by a brotherly bond and unrelenting quest for
excellence, run Les Celliers de l’Odet. Set on a 13th century
estate, Château Lézergué overlooks a superb 35-hectare
orchard established by their father in 1990. Their ciders’
perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavours regularly win
them awards. “They show trademark length on the palate”,
stresses Guillaume Jan. “The powerful polyphenols in our
apples make them rich and powerful. Depending on our
choice of blends, varieties and fermentation temperatures,
the cider can be dry, mineral, full-bodied and fleshy or
sweet, mellow and spicy”. Although dry cider is the most
popular in France, extra-dry is very successful in the United
States and sweet cider in Japan.
The three Jan brothers Matthieu, Joseph and Guillaume at Celliers de l’Odet.
CIDRERIE DE LA BRIQUE:
AT THE CORE OF NORMAN CIDER
Since 1953, promoting Norman cider has been part of
the genetic make-up of Cidrerie de la Brique. Exports
represent 20% of revenue with the ciders shipped to over
20 countries. “Our goal is to promote Norman cider
internationally”, says chairman Jean-François Calandot.
“We work with 500 local apple producers. Dry cider
accounts for 75% of sales versus 25% for sweet cider.
Admittedly, the market has been declining for several
years, but rejuvenation in the restaurant industry with
a new, young clientele, new formats and more modern
marketing all deserve praise. Our products are natural and
local and have all the requisite qualities to perform well.
They have low alcohol content, a low calorie count and
low sulphite content”.
60 WINTER 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE