BRANDIES FROM FRUITS.
Eaux de vie de fruits Producer : Alain Parret, distillerie de Malleval.

Malleval is a medieval village snuggling along a rocky spur which backs on to the "Gorges du Batalon". The old fortified village was used as a keeper for a major road which links "la vallée du Rhône" to "Auvergne" .The ruins of two castles, located on the top of the rocks, surround the baroque church where "La chapelle primitive" was built in the eleventh century. Hiking is a great way to discover "la vallée du Rhône" which spreads out to the foot of the scarp, with its vineyards and its orchards.

Worth seeing : The saltloft, the commander's residence, the house of the belfry and the ancient donjon.

The Malleval distillery makes its own brandies, respecting the traditional methods. Soaking the fruits into the fermentation juice for several months, the distiller gives Nature enough time so that the alchemy be possible : aromas and strong flavours will soon emanate. Thereby, a fragrant vapour rises from this mixture which has been slowly heated in a still (made of copper) : it is the mind of the fruit that the distiller keeps by condensing this vapour.

Contrary to what most people think, brandy doesn't necessarily have to be sipped at temperature. It is true that heat exhales rare scents ; but "on the rocks", brandy brings you very pleasant flavours.
Non contractual pictures