The first answer is skilled blending or as we call it, L’Assemblage. Each harvest’s cider blend is usually made from between 10 and 20 different apple varieties. As a co-operative we have access to 250 apple varieties, each with their own unique flavours and characteristics. It is the innate knowledge of these different properties that enables us to achieve all of the different aromas, tastes and styles we wish, without having to compromise on quality.
Our cider is made only once a year – it is a vintage product, just like wine. In a lifetime, therefore, a Cellar Master – Maître de Chai – may only ever have 50 opportunities to receive a range of batches of cider and work with them to ensure they can make the best cider possible. To master the skills of the Maître de Chai takes skill, time, knowledge, passion, intuition, and touch. One could say a sixth sense is achieved.
With access to a large number of different apple varieties, the secret is knowing which ones to blend together to get the perfect taste. The manifold, but often subtle, differences in the fruitiness, juiciness, tannin, and acidity would confuse most people, but luckily a good Maître de Chai knows his or her apples.
We can be experimental, playful, and innovative. We can showcase the differences in classic ciders from Brittany and Normandy based solely on the blending of specific apples. Crucially, we are able to send Pur Jus to the world, which no other brand can do.