Normandy Soil and Apples

[Chris Rylands]

Has anyone in the group had any first-hand or substantial interaction with testing or knowledge of any unique soil mineral conditions of Normandy area of France (e.g, Calvados, Brittany, Dieppe) or other apple growing areas of Normandy?

I assume that the soils are very high in calcium and lime based on the white-colored cliffs in some areas. I would be interested to know the specifics if anyone has any.

I am thinking about doing some sort of soil survey of ten soil types with ten of the same apple trees planted in these soils and testing the apples to see what the real effects are on Tannin levels, brix, acid, ph, and general productivity.

Any input would be welcomed.

Chris Rylands
CiderSupply.com

[Claude Jolicoeur]

Chris wrote:

Has anyone in the group had any first-hand or substantial interaction with testing or knowledge of any unique soil mineral conditions of Normandy area of France (e.g, Calvados, Brittany, Dieppe) or other apple growing areas of Normandy?

Chris, Do you read French?
All this information is available... One fantastic source is the "Bulletins de l'association française pomologique", downloadable from:
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb32720424c/date.r=association+fran%C3%A7aise+pomologique.langFR

These bulletins are available from 1883, the year of the foundation of the association, and up to 1936. The sum of information is simply incredible. All the French cider scientists of the time wrote there, Lechartier Truelle, Warcollier, and many others. In many of these, there is an article on a particular region, describing the soils, and the varieties that performed best. For example, in the Bulletin of 1927, Warcollier wrote an article on "Pomologie de la Manche" which is a region of Normandy, and all the soil types are described...
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5582203z.image.langFR.r=association%20fran%C3%A7aise%20pomologique
 
Claude

[Chris Rylands]

Thanks Claude, the time has come for me to try again to learn French. I will attempt to overcome my fears :-). 

Chris Rylands

CiderSupply.com

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[Claude Jolicoeur]

Le dimanche 15 septembre 2013 09:40:12 UTC-4, Chris Rylands a écrit :

Thanks Claude, the time has come for me to try again to learn French. I will attempt to overcome my fears :-). 

I forgot to mention, Chris, that the book (in English) "Calvados - The spirit of Normandy" by Charles Neal has 10 pages on the soils of Normandy. Not much as this is a big (and relatively expensive) book, but it also contains a lot of good information on cider and calva makers.
Claude

[Chris Rylands]

Thanks Claude, i will take all the information that i can get. 

It seems common that so much research is done by cider makers on cultivar types around the world and that  a completely balanced soil is a good thing. That is, what is a good and complete soil that will grow perfect apple trees for dessert and supermarket apples, may not be especially good for cider apples.  Tannins, acids, and other compounds in the cider apples may be adversely affected by "a perfect soil". IUnlike wine grapes, and table apples i have heard that some of the best cider apples come from depleted soils or souls missing certain elements and/or an excess of other elements.

Chris Rylands

CiderSupply.com

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