£18.75
Lillet Blanc was created in 1887 in the town of Podensac, South of Bordeaux near Sauternes, by brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet. It is a French aperitif wine that is known for its light and refreshing taste.
It was originally called Kina Lillet, as it contained quinine, a bitter ingredient that was used to treat malaria. Over the years, the recipe has been refined, and today Lillet Blanc is a blend of white wine, citrus liqueurs, and quinine.
It is made from a base of white Bordeaux wines – 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Muscadelle – which are fortified with French brandy. The wine is macerated with fruit which includes the peel of sweet oranges from Spain and Morocco and the peel of bitter green oranges from Hiati. It also contains a liqueur made from the Cinchona bark from Peru and also contains quinine. It is aged in oak casks prior to bottling. Technically it is not a Vermouth as it contains liqueur and does not contain any Wormwood. Lillet Blanc should be categorised as a Tonic wine.
Lillet was featured in the James Bond novel “Casino Royale” and in the 2006 film adaptation of the book. In the novel, Bond orders a drink called the “Vesper Martini”, which is made with Lillet. The drink is named after Bond’s love interest, Vesper Lynd, and is described as follows:
To make the Vesper Martini, Bond instructs the bartender to “Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.
Lillet Blanc has a bright and clear pale gold colour. The aroma is fresh and citrusy, with notes of candied oranges, honey, pine resin & exotic fruits. The palate of Lillet Blanc is light and refreshing, with a delicate blend of sweet and bitter notes. It is slightly sweet at first, with flavours of honey, orange, and vanilla, followed by a mild bitterness from the quinine on the finish.
Lillet Blanc is typically served as an aperitif on its own over ice, garnished with a slice of orange or lemon. It can also be used as an ingredient in cocktails such as the Vesper Martini or the Lillet Spritz.
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