Claque-Pépin Cidre de Normandie (Normandy, France)
About Claque Pepin's French Cider, Perry, Pommeau, and Calvados: The name Claque-Pépin comes from a type of apple variety, which when ripe, rattles when shaken. The name translates to the seeds (pépin) which rattle (claque). The property is located in the Normandie region, nestled between the Domfrontais and the Pays d’Auge, on a 17th century farm next to the ancient château of Serans, formerly the family estate of the Louvet family.
Claque-Pépin officially began just 15 years ago, however, current owner Benoit Louvet has been immersed in the world of distilling and aging for many years. He began his “apprenticeship” fairly young with his grandfather Vital. After working for a few other Calvados producers as cellar master, he decided to start his own artisanal production and perpetuate the art of making calvados and cider, while respecting the Normandy tradition and the environment. They farm 20 hectares of apple orchards.
Appellation: The property and orchards are ideally situated in the Calvados AOC, just in between Pays d’Auge and the Domfrontais, producing cider and Calvados with the round and refined flavors of Calvados of the Pays d’Auge and the spicier notes typical of Calvados of the Domfrontais.