Avallen, Difford's Guide and Mangrove UK partner for World Calvados Day

Avallen Calvados has partnered with UK-based Difford's Guide and premium drinks distributor Mangrove UK to launch World Calvados Day.

Taking place on Tuesday 20 October, the inaugural celebration of the French apple brandy will see the UK trade celebrate with special offers and specially created cocktails being served in bars around this date.

Registered as an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in 1942, calvados is one of three world-renowed French brandies alongside cognac and armagnac. It must be produced using a choice of 300 apple varieties exclusively grown in the biodiverse orchards of Normandy. The apples are naturally fermented to make cider, then distilled and aged for a legal minimum of two years in French oak.

Avallen Calvados founders Stephanie Jordan and Tim Etherington-Judge entered the world of calvados in 2019 determined to revitalise the category. Since launching, their 'planet-positive' caldavos has been recognised with numerous accolades. They have also made it their mission to help bee populations, donating to the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust with each bottle sold and planting wildflowers.

Stephanie said: "Calvados is an important historical category and one which is gaining renewed interest, so it's right it should have its own day. And what better time of year to celebrate French apple brandy than the busy harvest time, when the process of making delicious calvados kicks off with thanks to the bees for pollinating all the lovely blossoms in spring.

"Made using apples (and a few pears), water and time, this spirit celebrates biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and tastes amazing which is why at Avallen we want to champion the category and put care at the core of what we do."

Simon Difford said: "One of the key base spirits, calvados appears in hundreds of cocktail recipes but until Avallen has not had a brand that champions its mixability. Indeed, most consumers would be hard-prressed to name a brand of calvados or a calvados cocktail. Hence, we're delighted to be working with Stephanie and Tim to promote delicious calvados cocktails."

Avallen is distributed in the UK by Mangrove UK. The company's managing director, Nick Gillet, added: "It's been impressive to see the determination with which the team at Avallen has worked to promote this category, which was previously looking a bit tired and jaded. They have sparked new interest in calvados and are leading the way in our industry in adopting and championing sustainable practices."

20 October 2020 - Bethany Whymark