Wines and spirits Normandy

In the heart of Bessin, three kilometres from Omaha-Beach, Ferme du Lavoir is a gourmet stop on the tour of the d-day beaches. Miryam and Guillaume Capelle took over this cider-producing exploitation of thirteen acres orchards, four years ago, in 2010, turning to a resolutely organic agriculture. All products come from apples of orchards leads in respect of the fauna and flora surrounding, combining traditional methods and modern techniques with the same concern of relaxing all the flavours of apple. The range is made consists of a semi-dry cider (assembly of eight sweet, bittersweet and acid varieties), typical of the region of Bessin, marked by freshness and the fruity touch unusual and raw cider (assembly of sweet, bittersweet and bitter varieties), marked by a more pronounced bitterness. Thanks to a cellar, natural plugs foam are particularly well controlled. A know-how noticeable every year with the competition the Saint-Jean of the Ciders organised by the Maison Cidricole de Normandie where Ferme du Lavoir was awarded a silver medals in 2011, 2012 and 2013, especially for its semi-dry cider with the delicate mousse and very fine effervescence.

Along the way, don't miss La Sapinière. A visit to the estate, from the orchards to the cellars, is a fascinating immersion in the heart of a family history lovingly perpetuated for six generations. Regularly awarded laurels at regional competitions, the estate's production includes four nectars: cider, the flagship product, pommeau, calvados and apple juice. There's a cider for every palate, available in four cuvées: demi-sec, brut, "Verger du littoral" and, at the top of the bill, the special "Rivage du Bessin" cuvée, star of La Sapinière.

Théo Capelle tells the story of cider, calvados, apples, and its fabulous nectars, from a family production. The Théo Capelle cider-distillery consists of 10 hectares of orchards, 6,500 apple trees, fifteen varieties, a press and a shop. The orchard, distillery and shop can be visited all year round. You can stroll through the apple tree alleys, listen with delight to the sweet vocabulary of apple work, and discover the still where the AOC Calvados and the AOC Normandy pommeau are distilled. Of course, you can taste some of the clever potions!

In Grosville, in the authentic setting of the Commanderie, Jean-François Vaultier invites you to discover his cider products. He also makes calvados, pommeau (an aperitif made from cider and calvados), apple juice, cider vinegar, cider confit, as well as apple, elderberry and rhubarb jam and blackberry jelly. During the visit of the press dating from 1942, still in use in this old farm, you will be explained how cider is made... It's interesting and you can leave with your bottles!

Pascal and Jocelyne Breton welcome you to their family farm, founded in 1930, in the heart of the Orne bocage. For three generations, this farm has combined milk production with cider-making. The farm's range of products is sold direct: pommeau, calvados, cider, perry, apple juice and cider vinegar. The entire estate is open to the public (reservations required), and events such as cooking workshops are organised on a regular basis. You'll also discover Normandy-bred animals.

More than 1,000 references are identified here, 80 of them only for whiskies. The guardian of the temple comes from the restoration, so that it will be good advice to guide you in choosing a wine to accompany a dish. It should not be missed: the small harvest radius, with treasures at low prices. For the rest, the wines of the world are represented, and about everything in spirits and spirits - to consume, obviously with moderation. And as we are in Le Havre, the Norman trio is required: pommeau, calvados and liqueur of Calvados in the same box. Ideal for gifts!

A young Nantais, graduated from the University of Wine, exercises his art in the centre of Le Havre. Here, no foreign wines! But many small French producers are represented. Each week, a different tasting is offered to the clientele. For this wine enthusiast, discovering new vineyards has become a real battleground. Result: real treasures can be found at more than reasonable prices. On the panels, well-illustrated, the wine of the month. It is not uncommon for one or two recipes to be recommended. Today, the old mustard rabbit will accompany a Bourgueil. White wine lovers will be more than happy. But beware, you will find very few Bordeaux. An address to see and review. Practice: He is the only wine grower open on Sunday morning in Le Havre.

Beware, the dealer is a winemaker, so she knows a lot about wine! Note: regular tastings.

All of Africa (or almost) in one shop, that's what Exodelis shop, located on boulevard de la Libération, offers! Here, we really like the food products offered in the grocery section, starting with the dishes of the day (the vegetable samoussas and the mafé, tested a short time ago, left us a nice memory), the drinks, the spices... so many flavours almost make you dizzy. You will also find here African handicrafts, and even others, dedicated to cosmetics. A little change of scenery is always welcome!

Here, we do much more than buy alcohol. You get advice, you taste, you discover new products... The store, installed on the quays of Rouen since 1992, is specialised in the sale of wines coming from rigorously selected and visited vineyards. All French regions are represented, and you will find spirits from all over the world as well as a large choice of craft beers. As a bonus: the store offers you to rent beer taps for 6 or 30-litre kegs for your special events.

A vast choice of great wines, local wines, whiskies and beers: this is what makes the reputation of the Caves Jeanne d'Arc. This house, founded in 1961, houses more than 1,500 references, to be discovered in some 400 m² of basement with free access. The advice is given with a smile by a team that knows its business and that will also offer you ready-made gift boxes and others to make yourself. You can also participate in private tasting evenings to perfect your palate.

This winery plays the natural game, and we like it! With over 300 references, the cellar gives pride of place to organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. It's a real choice, as is the one to highlight French spirits! François also offers wine-tasting evenings and afterworks so you can enjoy his selection of wines on the spot. You can even take advantage of his surprising terrace nestled at the foot of the Abbaye aux Hommes to enjoy a fine vintage and seasonal tapas. You can even privatize it for family events or an evening out with friends.

Are you a whisky connoisseur? This is the address for you! At Julien Lemaître's, no fewer than 600 references of spirits, including 400 whiskies, are on display, with the possibility of tasting in a lounge as cosy as an Irish pub. In addition to the precious nectars from France and Navarre, Scotland, Ireland and Japan, this enthusiast has also succeeded in differentiating himself from classic wine merchants with his tasting formulas, a moment of sharing and discovery. Give him a call beforehand to be sure of a toast!

Getting together with friends over a good beer, yes, but bringing to life the good beer you'd like to drink, that's even better! That's the story of Brasserie Baya. Two friends get together and brew one, then two, then five beers. Blonde, Tripple, IPA, Ambrée and Blanche. To this range was added Luc and "La Ruse", an organic beer. 2 ranges, here, brewed with Proximity, Conviviality, and Quality. Want to find out more? Franck, Thierry and Luc welcome you by appointment to discover the secrets of Baya brewing.

Chinquante: no, there's no extra letter in this name, it's just the way of saying (and writing) the number of the Manche department in local dialect! And that's not all, because Chinquante is also the name of an incredible variety of beers, developed and produced in Saint-Vaast! Launched by a group of young enthusiasts, the business not only offers pale and amber beers, but also a number of original creations, some of which are made in secret. The latter won awards at the last Salon de l'Agriculture!

If you're familiar with the Maison des Produits Régionaux, also known as Vergers de la Passion, located in Martinvast, then you're going to love the cider house! Located in Rauville-la-Bigot, some ten kilometers from the store (you'll have to head for Bricquebec), it can be visited from April to September and offers visitors the chance to discover how cider and vinegar are made. The tour ends with a tasting session.

In this warm and friendly place, everyone gathers around a beer (you guessed it) or a glass of wine for a soccer match or a themed evening. As the name suggests, there's a wide choice of beers: blond, amber, Belgian, Breton, German and more. The atmosphere is excellent and often festive. There's also a catering service with burgers and croque-monsieur, for example. For your private events, the venue can be privatised.

La Cave des Tontons is a winning double: a lunchtime restaurant and a wine and spirits boutique. You won't find that nameless apple and beet potion ("y' en a!") that a certain Polish lady used to drink for breakfast... but you will be spoilt for choice with a wide selection of wines, rums, whiskies, champagnes, cognacs, armagnacs, calvados, gins and beers from all over the world. And because there's nothing better than getting to know the product, La Cave des Tontons also organizes wine tasting sessions.

South of Lisieux, in the heart of the Auge region, Cyril Zangs' estate opens its doors by appointment. Six hectares of tall apple trees and the man who is considered to be the natural winemaker of cider production await you. Cyril Zangs has been in the cider business for several generations and now makes "complex ciders without complexes". His key words: know-how, rigor, uncompromising quality, and his brand: Cidre 2 Table, born in 2003. To be discovered!

This boutique offers direct sales from the producer to the consumer, whether it be to professionals or individuals. " Fruits of our orchards "harvest and produced cider, apple juice, vinegar, aperitif, gelées… You will also find a selection of aperitifs and digestifs based on homemade apple.

Located right in the heart of the city, Le Bercail has brought a breath of originality and joy to Alençon evenings. A blend of wood, brick and metal, it produces its own beers (the most popular of which are called "l'Avant-Première" and "Planet of the Hops"). For an aperitif or an evening with friends, accompanied by pizzas or tapas, in a good atmosphere that vibrates to the sounds of concerts every week (with a predilection for jazz and rock sounds), the place is perfect!

Located in the heart of the Galanderie artisanal zone, Cav' Aventure is first and foremost a beautiful and vast cellar: it's hard not to find something to suit your taste in wines, beers and spirits. Thomas and Paul's advice is always well-informed, not to mention the many events organized here throughout the year. You'll also find delicatessen products here, as well as a range of services for small events. All in all, a multi-faceted venue that's a local sure thing!

Imagine a small store with more than 500 different alcoholic beverages! The owner of the shop likes above all to advise and help his passionate clientele discover wines that are out of the ordinary. It must be said that he knows a lot! And since good wine often goes hand in hand with gastronomy, at the end of the year, you will also find a "delicatessen" section filled with terrines, rillons, duck pâtés with olives or Espelette pepper. An original and authentic store, a must for wine lovers!

Among the many beers made in the Manche, in Hauteville, it is the Moussette that you will find. Behind this pretty name, a link between the beverage and the nearby sea, lies the know-how of two young locals. Brown, blond, white: the beer elaborated here in the rules of art is full of flavors, strong and soft, and is acquired according to half-liter bottles. The complex includes a nice beach bar, open every day in summer.

Step through the doors of La Malle aux Délices and discover a veritable Ali Baba's cave for epicureans. The boutique specializes in fine food and drink, offering champagnes, wines, spirits, terrines and other artisanal preserves. Let us advise you, because Sébastien knows his products inside out! Whether you're looking for a treat for yourself or for a gourmet gift, this delicatessen/cellar in the heart of the city awaits you!

With his unique style, Jérémy, intrepid hop captain, has created his own microbrewery. Passionate about his craft, Jérémy has traded in his insurance suit for the more authentic attire of a brewer. From blondes to IPAs, he boldly sails the waves of brewing flavors. But what makes his work so unique is his willingness to develop customized brews and collaborations with restaurants (Bière des Poutineurs with maple syrup). And for special occasions, he offers a mobile "bar-van" and beer taps for hire.

It is one of the oldest factories in Normandy! This prestigious house, which was founded in 1889 in La Haye de Calleville near Brionne, moved to Ivry la Bataille in 1945 to an old distillery. Its precious brandy ages according to the rules of art and tradition in several hundred small oak barrels, in the shelter of huge troglodyte cellars that are dug into the chalky hills. The cellar master blends the best Normandy wines to delight the enthusiasts of the beverage. The Morin Calvados, which are of high quality and international reputation, regularly win gold medals at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris and at La Foire de Caen. You can visit the beautiful cellars, discover the job of calvados breeder, taste and, of course, stock up on bottles (pommeau and cider are also on sale). About €24.75 for a young calvados of 2 or 3 years old and €158 for a vintage of 1973. But those who like it don't bother about the price, right?

No less than 500 references in wines and spirits, in beer and champagnes form the bottom of this cellar which, besides being well referenced, offers quality advice, highlights products of small producers and offers a range of services ranging from the rental of wine fountains to the end-of-year package. An institution well known to the Neubourg, which deserves the visit.

Valentin Castro opens the doors of his wine cellar, Enseigne franchisee. With more than 900 references in French, Italian, Japanese, German, and other champagnes and spirits, the master of the place will guide you through his know-how and will lead you to the perfect bottle! Your meals will now be on their feet! Moreover, gift box ideas and bag-in-box ideas are offered for all budgets.

Whether you need advice to choose a wine for an evening, family meal or last-minute gift, Nicolas's wine merchants are there to help you. In addition to bottles of wine and champagne kept for emergencies, the shop has a very large selection of varieties, chateaux, and areas. All wine-growing regions of France and the world are represented. Advice from a passionate team will undoubtedly help you find the rare pearl.

Not far from Dieppe, welcome to Nathalie and Christophe Grugeon who will sell you, willingly, their semi-dry cider, if you are going to see them (however, we don't visit production). This family-run operation remains somewhat confidential, but perhaps you will find some bottles on the surrounding markets. So take advantage of the opportunity: there is a farmer's cider, but the Normand aperitif (aged chestnut-barrel), apple juice and Calvados are other specialties of the house.

Here's the organic cider and the vintage farmer of the Caux country par excellence and as we love it. Benoît Lemercier is one of the cidriers of the earth. It was born in 1987, instead of what was at the time, an old dairy production with a lower yard planted with old high-stem apple trees. Affiliated to the trade union of the ciders of Haute-Normandie, awarded to the Saint-Jean des Ciders, this traditional producer (certified Ecocert) prepares at the farm of soft nectars all that is most natural. From cider, cider, apple juice and brandy. Sale at the farm by appointment. Do you ever know if you go through this?

Between cellar and bar, for a gourmet trip full of surprises, l'Escapade is the place where everything you taste can be bought. In addition to a wide choice of French wines from small vineyards, there are many artisanal products, from local cheeses to Italian and Savoyard delicatessen. Situated near the beach, the establishment welcomes you as if you were at home, either in its cosy room made of slate and wood or on its pleasant garden terrace. More than just a bar, it is a place to live and share in its own right!

To discover the stages of the manufacturing of life and cider, let us guide you by Adrien and Susan Tailleux who, in real passion, know how to highlight their work and magnify the apple. Rich in some 1,500 apple trees, their domain, beautiful villa from the beginning of the last century, is the kingdom of this typically Norman fruit. The farm, but also the cellars and the garden, are visited, accompanied by a tasting of the orchard products. How, after all this, do not crack and fill its carpet of cider out of age, aging in oak barrel, Norman aperitif, farmer cider or cider vinegar? For a minimum of twenty people, the family offers you lunch on site. Furthermore, a wine tasting is also possible.

In Fongueusemare, in this farmhouse, typical of the Pays de Caux, the Maison Pasquier opens its cellar to offer you cider apple and pear products, made in oak barrels according to traditional methods. Thus, cider, perry, apple juice, Norman aperitif and other productions labeled Organic Agriculture can be tasted directly at the farm or on the local markets of Etretat. Make a stop during your bike ride in this famous cider factory: you won't regret it!

In this lair, we are rewarded with a double dose of pleasure, because in addition to offering about 150 beer references (German, Belgian, French, English, etc.), Fabien, the manager of the place, also sells CDs and vinyl of hard rock, thrash, heavy, death, black or punk. Passionate and a fine connoisseur, he will be able to recommend groups to delight your ears, and beers to satisfy your palate. And very quickly we realize that beer and metal finally go perfectly together! Entering the Malt Den is like investing Ali Baba's cave for all lovers of good beer and... of music!

In one to the ecomuseum of the Apple and Cider. 20 minutes from Compensate and ten minutes by Fine, Marie-Claire and Vincent Godefroy invite you to share a convivial and educational moment during a guided tour of their field. No apology: You can't go next to the farm of Condamine, a pretty artisan and family farm typical of the country of Caux, maintained with the same passion and care, for four generations. You will discover the numerous activities of the exploitation, "clos fence" and its five hectare orchard, loaded with history and apple trees, the pigeon, and to add to the cultural and gourmand pleasures, the cauchoise courtyard and its geese. A time spent in the company of the owners who will, of course, be crowned with a good tasting of handmade cider from the Country of Caux, half-dry. Cider which, moreover, looks forward to recognition in the Protected Appellation of Origin (PDO). Other homemade productions, pommel, calvados, apple jelly, perry, apple juice… will give you a glimpse of these charming and smiling producers and the desire to take home. From November to March, you can buy your cider in bulk. Think of equipping yourself with a jerrican and other bidon! In our view, a bottle will not suffice…

A glass of cider is worth, sometimes, better than long speeches. Don't be careful here! It is really good and especially instructive to listen to Denise and Hervé, two passionate nature and gastronomy lovers tell their story before daring to dip his lips. We are not anywhere: perhaps you will take a lesson in oenology! Denise and Hervé, we said, had the very good idea of planting their first apple apple on their farm in 1992. A perfect land, located on a hillside of shells and shells of jurassic limestone, a lot of time, patience and perseverance, today is the notoriety of these high quality cigars. And from production, as a whole, pommeau, calvados forming part of this beautiful family, 39 times medalist in 23 years in the General Agricultural Competition of Paris. The 2014 edition has yet to grow the list. As with wine, the nature of the soil is important, giving balance and aromatic richness to the finished product. You'll hear here about pommings… they're at the cider what the grape varieties are to wine, assemblages too. Cider tradition, sparkling cider, Red Bruyère (the top of the house), rosé cider, extra crude cider and ice cider. Names sing as bubbles. Affiliated with the collective brand «Cider of the countries of Haute-Normandie», the domain reserves other beautiful surprises (apple juice, cider vinegar, frozen apple-calvados. We don't tell you everything… go see!

In the Berigny cellars, you will find a wide choice of regional appellations and great classified growths, such as beautiful Burgundies, great wines from Bordeaux and wines from Languedoc-Roussillon or the Rhone Valley, and all this without forgetting the unmissable champagne. But that's not all! By lingering a little in the heart of the different departments, you can also discover spirits and wines imported from California, Argentina and Chile. The welcome is warm, but we regret the lack of choice of beverages other than wines and the lack of advice from the staff.

Beer lovers will find plenty to satisfy their cravings in the Cotentin region. One of the latest offerings is from Brasserie de l'Ouve: this craft microbrewery was created by Nicolas Marchand, a native of the region with a passion for the subject. Blonde, rousse, amber, the flavors on offer are just as varied, and the Barbey, the name given to the first products, has already met with success. Although the company doesn't currently have a boutique, you can find these beers at local markets and events.

The Domaine de la Flaguerie is certainly the one where you will be told the most beautiful stories. Stories of apples, of course, because they are cultivated here with love over decades We will talk to you, also, about organic farming: since 1998 - already 20 years! -that is the one that we are putting forward. The visit of Ducy Vergers, created in 1835, is exciting and playful at a time, illustrated with a video-video regularly updated. Will you guess the number of kilos of apples needed to make a liter of cider? Or what material are the cider tanks made of? All of these questions will be answered with the greatest of passions. At the end of the visit, rich of new knowledge and great respect for the profession, we press in the shop for a tasting, first and then shopping. Cider, apple juice, of course, but also calvados aged in oak barrels, pommeau, marmalade, frozen and vinegar and the famous "44" based on calvados, orange liqueur and coffee beans, fragrant of five cloves. It's hard to take everything. You will need to come back or order online!

Following the success of their eponymous beer bar located at Place de la Haute Vieille Tour, Frédéric and Cyrille wanted to continue their adventure by opening a beer cellar. In their establishment, the Badaille brothers offer a wide selection of browns, blondes, and reds with exotic names and diverse origins. There is something for every budget, from the most affordable at €5 per litre to the most sought-after at €30 per litre. The opportunity to fill up before a drunken evening!

Atypical and nice, this place, dedicated to cinema and music, is good! But make no mistake, here, above all, beer is brewed. With the impression that barley flows in Nicolas' veins. Just a stone's throw from the freeway, Pont-l'Evêque and Lisieux, the Brasserie Sagesse offers a dozen organic and multi-medium beers. One can spend beautiful afternoons there, in the garden or at the bar, installed beside the brewing tanks. You can also customize your own beer, participate in a brewing workshop, or treat yourself to a private tasting!

Brasserie de la Baie has quickly become a solid reference! For many years now, under the leadership of Christophe Lesénéchal, dozens of hectolitres have been produced. There's a brew for every taste: from dark to amber to blonde, the know-how and selection of the best products make these little marvels. Numerous retailers in Normandy and Brittany give you the opportunity to buy some in the region: really hard not to succumb.

Here's a craft brewery in the heart of Avranches. Specialising in organic brewing, it's the brainchild of Thomas Delenclos. Here, water is recycled and only the best products are used. The result is a range of beers to suit every taste and colour. To discover these beers "Made in Avranches", as the brand says, it's easy: you can find them during tastings at the partners' premises, or buy them at the various points of sale listed on the brewery's social networks.

Since December 2020, in the heart of Pont-Audemer, La Cave de Tom has been welcoming wine lovers, as well as beer, champagne, and other spirits enthusiasts. The attractive 140^m2 boutique features dozens of wooden crates, in which the various spirits are attractively displayed, sold at frankly reasonable prices. A true place of exchange and conviviality, this cellar is the very first to reach the city centre, showcasing France's alcoholic terroirs. A must for those who want to treat themselves or others.

Based on the principle that beer is a noble product in the same way as wine, the owners have built a castle for it... a little wooden castle for their organic microbrewery, so that they can brew and welcome their customers in the best possible conditions! Produced from organic cereals and several varieties of hops from England, Alsace, and the Czech Republic, Tortue and Dragon are available in blond, amber, and white. Want to start brewing your own beers? We offer training courses for amateurs and future brewers!

Brewery La Loup Bar has been offering its excellent beers for five years now: the friends who decided to take up the challenge of producing and distributing these delicacies have certainly done the right thing. Several beers are on offer, including a blonde, a white, an amber, a brown and a triple! They're all excellent, and have already delighted many consumers who swear by them! To find them, go to the Internet: you'll find a list of the many retailers there!

Two centuries later, the village of Beaumont has rediscovered its spirits cellar! It was Pierre Boinet's team, the famous wine merchant on Place du Colonel-Langlois, who revived this little shop, which had already specialized in wines and liqueurs in 1850! A place steeped in history, opened in 2021, where Aurore welcomes you and tells you the story of the many treasures on display, including spirits. L'Annexe complements Pierre Boinet's cellar, which is more dedicated to the world of wine. Choice is luxury!

This cellar is a veritable haven for lovers of alcoholic beverages - in moderation, of course! Here, you're sure to find what you're looking for: white, red and rosé wines, champagnes and whiskies in abundance. Run by an enthusiastic team who are always ready to give you good advice, the place is vast and, contrary to popular belief, is not only frequented by Englishmen who have just arrived in the city's port.