At the gateway to the Bessin, between Caen and Bayeux, Domaine de la Flaguerie brings a fresh breeze of renewal to Calvados. On this historic Norman terroir, the iconic apple brandy breaks away from convention, finding its place in new moments of enjoyment and shaking off its once-old-fashioned image.
Nestled in the heart of unspoiled countryside, the estate cultivates around thirty varieties of apples under organic farming, a commitment maintained for more than twenty-five years. This diversity — a reflection of the region’s rich clay-limestone soils and mild climate — gives rise to an exceptionally expressive aromatic palette in its ciders and Calvados. While the apple reigns supreme here, it is the modern vision of the Petrich family that stands out: the orchard is managed as a living ecosystem, blending agricultural tradition, transparency, and innovative agroecological practices.
At the estate, everything begins once the fruit has fallen naturally at full maturity. The apples are then carefully harvested mechanically to preserve their integrity. A gentle, low-extraction pressing follows, yielding a rich must that encourages a slow fermentation. Distillation takes place in a column still under the watchful eye of the cellar master, and only the “heart” of the distillation — the purest fraction — is retained for its aromatic intensity. The clear spirit is then patiently aged in small French oak barrels (300 to 500 L) that encourage subtle interaction with the wood. These compact casks, sourced mainly from coopers in the Cognac region, impart a rich, evolving oak character, a hallmark of growing complexity and elegance over time.
Ultimately, the Calvados produced at Domaine de la Flaguerie reveals remarkable freshness, precision, and vibrancy on the palate. In their youth, the spirits display a lively, fruity profile reminiscent of green apple; with age, they gain roundness and depth, developing nuances of baked apple and gentle spice. La Flaguerie has elevated Calvados into a versatile spirit, perfect as an aperitif (neat, on ice, or in cocktails) as well as a refined digestif. Today, it stands proudly alongside the finest whiskies and rums in the hearts of discerning connoisseurs.
This open-minded philosophy also extends to other bold creations from the Norman orchard. The estate produces an ice cider with remarkable aromatic richness, a traditional Pommeau de Normandie, and Poirino, an original blend of pear and five-year-old Calvados. Each of these products reflects a spirit of thoughtful innovation, always rooted in respect for tradition.
By combining agricultural excellence, biodiversity protection, and artisanal savoir-faire, Domaine de la Flaguerie breathes new life into Calvados, making it more accessible, expressive, and versatile than ever before.
Photos: Domaine de la Flaguerie
Color: clear and star-bright, with an intense golden-green color.
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