Crush

Used as a verb, to crush means to break the grape skins so that the pulp oozes out and fermentation can more easily begin.
As a noun, crush is the general term used for all of the steps, including harvesting, that take place just prior to fermentation.

What are Douce Moen, Douce Coet Ligne, and Binet Rouge?

A. Names of shades in the new “Colors of the Vineyard” line of lipsticks from French cosmetics giant L’Oréal

B. The original names, in old French, for merlot, cabernet franc and pinot noir respectively

C. The names of apples historically used in Calvados

D. The historic names French barrel makers used for the shades of reddish mahogany color that signaled that the inside of a barrel had been toasted correctly

Unlike its French cousins Cognac and Armagnac, both of which are distilled from grapes, Calvados (CAL-va-dose) is distilled from apples (and sometimes pears). But not just any apples. Approximately 800 or so heirloom varieties of apples grow in Normandy, the French region most famous for this drink. Of these, most producers would grow 20 to 25 different varieties, among them, Douce Moen, Kermerrien, Douce Coet Ligne, Bedan, Binet Rouge, Frequin Rouge, Marie Menard, and Petit Jaune. The apples fall into four flavor categories: sweet, bittersweet, bitter, and acidic. By distilling different kinds of apples in different proportions, the Calvados maker crafts a subtle, complex apple spirit. About 17 pounds of apples are needed to make one bottle of Calvados.

1965

The year the first woman, Mary Ann Graf, graduated from the viticulture and enology program at UC Davis. She majored in fermentation science. The path she forged paved the way for many more women in the… Continue reading

Crush

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