Over in a tiny village in the Couserans today for a huge lunch – Azinat – with friends, we came across this sight:
It’s an alambic – well two alambics actually. We knew that, because we’ve seen plenty of these historic pieces of machinery on display in villages throughout the area. We even know what they’re for: every autumn, villagers still look forward to the annual visit of the alambic man whom they pay to transform the juices from their apples, plums or whatever into the most potent hooch you can imagine: up to 50% proof. These alambics showed signs of having been recently used: the tractor next to them still had its engine running.
We retired to our restaurant for lunch.
Three and a half hours later, the meal over, we sauntered over to where we’d spotted the alambics: huge copper contraptions encased in a battered wooden frame. They were functioning! Three large rubicund men, the types you can meet in the countryside anywhere, any country, were supervising hooch production, and were very happy to explain everything.
Well, I can’t be sure I’ve got this right. It’s something like this though.
A fire under the first cylinder heats the juices that are poured into it.
The resultant steam is forced up through pipes, which are cooled by water. The vapour condenses into alcoholic liquid. That doesn’t sound quite right to me: I never was any good at science.
Anyway, it’s the result that counts. We met a Dutch couple who’d brought along their plum juice to be processed. 135 litres of juice. And their eau de vie was now almost ready for them to pay for and take away. Their 135 litres had become …. 10 litres.
They didn’t yet know what they were going to be charged. But they had been told they’d have to fill in a lengthy document for the tax office, and pay a suitable levy for this astonishingly potent product. We know for a fact it’s strong stuff. There were the dregs in a large plastic container. They invited us all to dip a finger in and taste it. We did. And I promise you – just licking a fingerful probably put us over the limit.
We felt as if we’d witnessed a real piece of history. When these men retire, are there young people around who will follow in their footsteps?
* And if you don’t know Heath Robinson, click the link
Well, he might not be exactly young (though he ain’t old either), but Alain Servat here in Rimont is continuing the tradition. He’s the former owner of the Restaurant de la Poste in the village, but a bit over a year ago he gave up the stoves to follow his other love, making eau de vie. The old restaurant is now Au Coin de L’Alambic, where he sells his eau de vie and other local produce alongside; when it’s closed he’s out on the road, with his alambic. Donc, ça continue!
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Well, it could have been him today I suppose. We were not TOO far from you.
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Back in Alabama, it’s called a still. How is it that the French manage everything with so much savoir faire?
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It’s a still in England of course too. Thanks for reminding me….I’d forgotten
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I recently read about the men who still do this, apparently it’s heavily regulated (even for French bureaucracy). But what a wonderful tradition to have – let’s hope that there are still sons to continue.
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I hope so too. Though while there still seem to be quite a few of these wonderful contraptions about – and functioning too – like so many things, it’s the older generation that’s keeping the show on the road.
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