Charles Neal Selections

Essays and books by Charles Neal, importer of fine French spirits.

Calvados book by Charles NealArmagnac book by Charles Neal

Armagnac  ·  Cognac  ·  Calvados  ·  Eau de-Vie  ·  Wine

Welcome to Charles Neal Selections

Calvados and Armagnac author Charles Neal
Importer Charles Neal

Charles Neal, an author and importer based in San Francisco, California, is a leading authority on single-estate and bottled French brandies from Armagnac, Cognac and Calvados. These spirits are some of the most natural brandies available, made without the usage of boisé, sugar, or caramel. They are hand-bottled directly from cask in extremely limited quantities.

In addition to these spirits, Charles imports wonderful wines from nearly all the French wine regions. He specializes in wines from Southwestern France (the Pyrenées), Eastern France (the Alps), and wines produced from France's Rhône Valley. He has sought out wines from relatively unknown appellations like Madiran, Cahors, Jurançon, Gaillac, Côtes du Frontonnais, Marcillac, and Béarn, as well as the unheralded Alpine crus of Chignin, Arbin, Apremont, Ripaille, and Marestel.

Vineyards in the hills of FranceThroughout the pages of this website you can explore the beauty of France's wine country and get to know the people who produce some of the most exquisite wines on Earth.

By law, Charles Neal Selections can only import and distribute wines and spirits to licensed wholesalers, retail stores and restaurants. But you can use this site as a guide to choosing the finest wines and spirits from France from your local retailer or favorite five-star restaurant. Additionally, enjoy a guided tour of the brandy-producing regions of France in the four-part video, Beyond the Snifter.

Bon voyage, and thank you for your interest in Charles Neal Selections!

Portable alembic still. Cote Rotie vineyards in the Rhone Valley region of France. Calvados producer Michael Huard standing by his still. Jean-Marie Revel holding a bottle of Marcillac vin rouge.

Books About Calvados and Armagnac by Charles Neal

Charles Neal's intense interest in the brandies of France has prompted him to write two books on the subject. The first was in 1997 and offers a detailed look at cognac's sophisticated cousin, armagnac. In the fall of 2011, Flame Grape Press published Neal's 700-page tome about calvados, a brandy based from pears and apples produced in the Normandy region of France.

Calvados
The Spirit of Normandy

Cover to the book Calvados: The Spirit of Normandy by Charles Neal

Calvados is an astounding 700-page stroll through the history and culture of Normandy and Calvados producers, through orchards and cellars, down to seemingly esoteric details, like what a producer might have scribbled in chalk on a typical barrel. — Eric Asimov, New York Times

Buy Calvados: The Spirit of Normandy by Charles Neal at Barnes and Noble

Armagnac
The Definitive Guide to France's Premier Brandy

Cover to the book Armagnac: The Definitive Guide to France's Premier Brandy by Charles Neal

A lively and well-researched book. Impressive and timely. — Gerald Asher, Wine Editor Gourmet Magazine

Buy Armagnac: The Definitive Guide by Charles Neal at Barnes and Noble
(Now in paperback)

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