Famille L. Dupont, Pommeau de Normandie, France

Tasting Note: In France to clear your palate between courses, a scoop of lemon sorbet is sometimes served topped with calvados, a brandy made from a blend of usually between 25 – 40 apple varieties.

I vow to find this brandy every time I return from France or Montreal, and I finally found it.

Even better – I found a Pommeau de Normandie a mix of 2/3 unfermented apple juice mixed with 1/3 Calvados – and boy, am I in love.

Medium-intensity gold-to-amber in color this spirit has an aromatic nose of green apple, pear drop, and quince.

On the palate this dry, full-bodied, spirit-and-unfermented elixir drips in ripe, green-apple fruit and medium-plus acidity that lifts the creamy-textured calvados and melts at the back of your mouth until the desire for another sip takes hold.

There is mid-palate complexity and the literal feel of melting.

This elixir feels lightweight for its 17% alcohol.

If you haven’t been to Normandy, fall in love with this apple brandy from the same place.

Chill in the refrigerator before serving (and don’t dilute on the rocks).