Hendrix at Montreuil

Giard “Domaine du Manoir de Montreuil” Cidre Pays d’Auge “Cambremer” (Normandy) – Absolutely opaque and luridly aromatic; the Islay Scotch of ciders. There’s more pear than apple, at least to my palate, but the apples are something fabulous and iconic (perhaps reine des reinettes), and there’s a heavy hand with the white pepper grinder as the finish develops. Extraordinary. (11/10)

You pays your money

Dupont Calvados du Pays d’Auge (Normandy) – Hints of pink pepper dust, liquid metal, and some sun-browned earth. Plus apples, naturally. Fairly simple, but very pleasant. (7/08)