Sidre Brut, Château de Hauteville

This is a classic dry Normandy cider with delicious flavours of caramel, baked apples and crunchy apple skins. It's soft and gentle in the mouth, yet also lively with plenty of acidity making it supremely refreshing. This would wash down Breton galettes or crepes brilliantly and it would be pretty good also with charcuterie or cheese.

The origins of Domaine de Eric Bordelet are quite different from your regular cider producer. Originally a sommelier in a Michelin starred restaurant, Eric Bordelet transferred his winemaking knowledge to the world of cider making when he took control of a family run orchard in 1992. Located in Charchigné, Normandy, Bordelet was in good company with other local top cider producers, but his approach would prove to be unrecognisable to his peers. Rather than take the route of recognised tried and tested cider and perry fruit, Bordelet blends sweet, sour and acidic fruit (often unusually a high proportion of eating apples) much as a winemaker would to produce a perfectly balanced drink. His cider and perry are also made in a very gently petillant style similar to a sparkling wine.