The first writings on the cider of Cornouaille go up to the year 870 in the Abbey of Landévennec in the peninsula of Crozon where we already drank the juice of the apple.

Closer to us,

• In 1901, in his collection of poems entitled The Song of Cider, Frédéric Le Guyader, the well known poet, spoke about the Cider of Fouesnant as being "the best cider of the world". He still wrote "we are the first ones to pay homage to the Normand ciders, to the ciders of Haute Bretagne, in any sincerity, there is there, from Isole to Odet, a garden of Hespérides where it is good to be born, live and die".

• In 1905 again, Mister Crochetelle in his treaty of pomology of Finistere evoked the vintages of Fouesnant and of Clohars Carnoët which always enjoy from a sure fame.

• In 1923, Mister Warcollier published a study on the cider of Fouesnant. He evoked in these terms: "the cider of Fouesnant enjoys rightly an always increasing fame and must be classified among the best ciders of France".

• In 1945, Mister Tavernier, leader of works, in charge of the Management of the Pomological, Cidercultural and Dairy Research Station of Rennes also published a study on the "Ciders of Vintage" of the coastline of the south Finistère.

Afterwards, the cider and the apple trees were going through black years.

1980: Creation of the CIDREF

It is only at the end of the 70s that the tendency was again going to be reversed. Indeed, after the publication of a study which clearly let appear that Finistère was going to lack apples, some producers banded together and created the CIDREF (Comité Cidricole de Développement et de Recherche Fouesnantais et Finistérien, Cidercultural Committee of Development and Research of Fouesnant and Finistère) in October, 1980. Through the impetus given by Pierre Seznec, the founder President, a campaign of orchard plantations of half-standard trees was going to be carried out.

In 1986, it is Raymond Lozac'h who took control of the CIDREF and he undertook immediately quality processes. Successively, three files of AOC applications were going to be submitted for the cider of Cornouaille, the Pommeau of Bretagne and the cider brandy of Bretagne more known in our region under the Lambig appellation.

As regards label of controlled origin, the things do not go quickly, the INAO being keen to carry out the whole of the checks which surround the product to ensure this notoriety to the labelled products. A label is based on three essential criteria:

• a product of quality of course
• a product of character resulting from a delimited soil with faithful and constant local customs
• a professional organization which gathers whole people working in the cider industry and which manages the AOC.

1996: A Label of Controlled Origin for “the Cornouaille”

After 10 years of efforts, the producers from Finistère are finally rewarded. Indeed, the decree officializing “the Cornouaille” AOC was published in the Official Journal in March 19th, 1996. This decree signed by several Ministers among whom Mister Philippe Vasseur, The Minister of the agriculture, the fishing and the feeding who was a fervent defender of the product, is the real schedule of conditions for the elaboration of this cider. Thus, it provides for determine the AREA OF PRODUCTION after a public state-inquiry. At present, this area is constituted by 38 townships or parts of townships alongside the coast of south Finistère as well as a core along the Aulne valley. Within this area, orchards must be identified and approved by the National Institute of Labels of Origin (INAO).

The schedule of conditions also provides for specific varieties with as bases, known varieties such as Kermerrien, Marie Ménard, Douce Moën, Douce Coatligné, Kroc'hen Ki, but with possibility of using, in complement, more local varieties such as C'Huéro Briz, C'huéro Ru, Sac'h Biniou, Rouz Coumoulen ou Dous Bloc'hic... In addition to the fact that the irrigation and the organic or mineral nitrate fertilizer are forbidden, YIELDS ARE LIMITED.

Not only an orchard of half-standard apple trees cannot produce more than 30 tons of AOC cider apples per hectare, an orchard of standard apple trees 20 tons, but one ton of fruits makes it possible to produce to the maximum only 750 liters of AOC cider to market.

After THE HARVEST, apples are crushed or grated. The obtained pulp undergoes, if necessary, a period of cuvage before being pressed.

After a natural clarification, a slow fermentation which must last at least six weeks before the setting in bottles, is carried out. Then a new fermentation called NATURAL TAKEN OF FOAM begins and will give its sparkling to the cider. This period must again last at least 6 weeks.

At last, the INAO takes in each batch a sample which is subjected to an approved analysis laboratory. Then it is presented to a tasting session which comes to the decision on the approval in Label of Controlled Origin before its launch on market.

It is to Mister Jean-Claude Hénaff, president of the CIDREF from 1997 to 2007, that falls the heavy task to manage this asset. This first label of controlled origin of Bretagne maked it possible to obtain on May 31st, 1997 the “Pommeau de Bretagne” AOC.

On February 20th, 1999 an additional sign of quality came to reinforce the Cornouaillais in their steps of recognition. Indeed, Franz Fischler, the European Commissioner of the Agriculture, signed a decree granting the Label of Protected Origin (AOP) to the Cider of Cornouaille.

Main actions, managed by the actual president, M Guillaume JAN

The CIDREF carries out actions of training, information and advices to its members all along the year. Assays and studies are undertaken in order to still improve the techniques of the producers; Study trips are organized to support the dynamism of the activities.

The CIDREF participates in actions of promotions. It is a partner of the festival “The Cornouaille” where it organizes its annual regional competition of the cidercultural products under official signs of quality.