EWG Spirits & Wine, the world’s leading specialists of the creation, innovation and distribution of world-class spirits, is pleased to announce the global launch of La Quintinye Vermouth Royal. Born in the heart of the vineyards of Charente, France, and made using the finest ingredients including Pineau des Charentes, La Quintinye Vermouth Royal is an elegant and refined vermouth of impeccable quality and magnificent taste.
This unique Vermouth takes its name from Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinye, Botanist to King Louis XIV, the Sun King. This visionary, born in 1623 in the Charente region, was commissioned in the early 1660s to create the famous Kitchen Gardens at the breath-taking Palace of Versailles. Nearly four centuries later, his bronze statue still surveys the masterpiece he left to us: the “Potager du Roy”
The values of excellence and passion for innovation epitomised by Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinye are shared by EWG Spirits & Wine. In honour of this visionary character, each bottle of La Quintinye Vermouth Royal bears the portrait of Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinye with his gardens in the background. Also adorning each bottle is an intricate Fleur de Lys design, the symbol of French Royalty, and the bottle’s label is illustrated with botanical drawings in a 16th century style, representing wormwood (essential for Vermouth), vine flower (the signature of the company), iris root and angelica, indigenous to Charente.
VERMOUTH: FROM THE 16TH TO THE 21ST CENTURY
Initially created for its medicinal properties, Vermouth first appeared in Italy in the mid 16th century. Around the same time in France, Pineau des Charentes was born from an accidental mix of grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie.
450 years later in the heart of Charentais grape country, Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, œnologist and master distiller, founder of EWG Spirits & Wine, combined these century-old nectars to create La Quintinye Vermouth Royal. Each aspect of production takes place under the watchful eye of Jean-Sébastien on the grounds of Villevert, the 16th century family estate which today is home to the company headquarters.
“We strive to create exceptional spirits that are distinctive in character and based around the vine and wines, with flavour combinations which are unique to us”, said Jean-Sébastien Robicquet. “Bringing its noble and elegant characteristics, from flower to full ripeness; the grape is at the heart of all of our creations.”
PINEAU DES CHARENTES: THE ESSENCE OF LA QUINTINYE VERMOUTH ROYAL
Pineau des Charentes is a renowned fortified wine, made by mixing fresh grape juice and Cognac from the same estate in the Appellation of Origin. This fortification process preserves all the natural aromas and sugars of the grapes.
Produced during the autumn harvest, Pineau des Charentes is aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of one year. White Pineau is made from white grape: Ugni Blanc, Colombard or Folle Blanche amongst others and matured for at least 12 months in French oak barrels. Red Pineau is made from red grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon and matured for at least eight months in French oak barrels.
THE COMPOSITION OF LA QUINTINYE VERMOUTH ROYAL
Its unique wine base
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal is an expert blend of Pineau des Charentes and white wines from the South West of France, selected by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet with the greatest of care. This unique composition weaves a canvas on which the plants and spices can forge their art.
While the wine base of La Quintinye Extra-Dry and Blanc uses white Pineau des Charentes, La Quintinye Rouge blends red Pineau des Charentes, naturally providing the deep amber colour. The Pineau des Charentes provides fullness and intensity through its aromas, which are perfectly balanced with the bitterness of the plants.
The Aromatic Palette
Rigorously selected for their purity and aromatic properties, a base of 12 plants and spices make up the palette shared by the three products. Each variant is then completed with its own specific selection of up to 28 plants and spices.
TASTING NOTES
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal is available in three varieties: Rouge, Blanc and Extra-Dry. Elegant on the palate with a refreshing explosion on the taste buds and a magnificent long-lasting finish, the fragrant mix of natural spices and plants create the perfect alchemy. La Quintinye Vermouth Royal is a welcome addition to any aperitif or cocktail.
La Quintinye Rouge
Made from a selection of 28 plants and spices and a blend of white wines and red Pineau de Charentes, La Quintinye Rouge releases a complex and refined bouquet of aromas. With its vanilla and spice notes, it is extraordinarily long on the palate.
| Colour | Deep amber red with an intense shine |
| Bouquet | Well-balanced yet powerful with liquorice, prune and vanilla flavours, enveloped by chocolate-toffee notes |
| Palate | Rich and intense with caramel, burnt vanilla and warm spiced notes, which evolve to a long-lasting finish |
La Quintinye Blanc
The subtle combination of 18 plants and the blend of white wines in the white Pineau des Charentes make La Quintinye Blanc a lavishly round and flavoursome tipple with fresh lemon and orchard fruit aromas.
| Colour | Light Gold |
| Bouquet | Fresh and lively with floral and citrus aromas, which give way to succulent aromas provided by the Pineau des Charentes |
| Palate | Elegant and smooth with ripe yellow fruits and brioche aromas, which meld seamlessly with slowly developing bitterness and spice |
La Quintinye Extra-Dry
La Quintinye Extra-Dry is created with a stunning bouquet of 27 plants and spices, a selection of white wines and white Pineau des Charentes, where the aromas of flowers and citrus dominate.
| Colour | Dappled gold |
| Bouquet | Floral with balanced spiced flavours, blending liquorice and anise aromas |
| Palate | Fresh and lively with floral and citrus notes that evolve into a luscious finish provided by the Pineau des Charentes |
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