Calvados on veterans day
The connection between Calvados and America’s veterans may not be immediately clear to many, but it becomes clearer after you learn the French apple brandy is produced in Normandy, where the American’s landed on D-Day in WWII. While the modern generations that followed America’s greatest may have—over time—forgotten the inextricable link our country has to the Norman people, let me assure you that the Norman’s have never forgotten. To visit Normandy is to remember how important that day still remains. Everywhere you look is former battleground. Everyone remembers that America came to France’s defense during one of history’s darkest hours.
When you look at Omaha Beach and down the stunning Norman coastline, such a peaceful and tranquil place to sit and think, it's difficult to juxtapose the setting with thousands upon thousands of young soldiers laying motionless upon the sand. The World War II museum at the infamous battle site does an incredible job of helping you understand the gravity of what happened, however. During my last visit to Normandy, I was particularly moved while watching a short documentary about some of the heroes of that day; one of them was a pilot from Ceres, California, right next to where I grew up in Modesto. It was hard not to tear up. My aunt’s father was one of the many young men on the beach that day, and I still think about him when I drink Calvados, as he remembered it fondly after the liberation.
A funny story: my good friend Charles was once trying to close a Calvados deal for his import company and the proprietor wasn’t sure he wanted to sell to America. As a last resort, Charles played the D-Day card and managed to appeal to the distiller’s sentimental side. It worked.
If you decide to visit Normandy, I recommend also spending a few hours at the Omaha Beach museum and cemetery. I can promise you: you're going to have a better appreciation for Calvados and the special bond that will forever unite America with Normandy after doing so. You're going to need a strong drink after working through some of those powerful emotions, however. After paying your respects, I would recommend drinking some local Calvados.
About a two minute-drive down the road from the cemetery parking lot is la Ferme de la Sapinière, one of the best brandy producers in the area. Not only are the cider and spirits delicious, there's a great shop and warehouse you can visit to get a better understanding of the process. There's at least one person there who speaks English if your French isn't adequate, and they're set up for visitors with no appointment necessary.
The orchards at Sapinière are right next to the water, so when you buy a bottle that says "Omaha Beach" on the label it's not some petty marketing attempt to capitalize on the historical significance of the locale. The apples are literally grown and harvested less than a kilometer from the shore and you can see the trees from the cemetery are you look south away from the water.
For me, it was one of the most complete and moving afternoons I've ever spent abroad; the full spectrum of food, drink, work, and play, along with a better understanding and appreciation for the world we live in. I know most of my friends will be drinking Bourbon this evening in honor of our American veterans, and I plan on joining them. But I’ll be squeezing in a glass of Calvados as well.
-David Driscoll