Welcome to the world of La Quintinye Vermouth Royal at their recent launch event in Hong Kong at Alchemy, Macro Asia introduced 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 elegant and refined vermouth of impeccable quality and magnificent taste. So far the vermouth market has been dominated by big name brands such as Martini & Rossi, Cinzano and Noilly Prat, but there’s a artisanal new contender on the scene.
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal arrives in Hong Kong
Out of the three vermouth experienced a favorite of mine was the Le Blanc served over ice with twist of lemon, Le Blanc is a smooth and elegant drink. 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 itself, 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 honor 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.
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal arrives in Hong Kong
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal arrives in Hong Kong
VERMOUTH: FROM THE 16TH TO THE 21ST CENTURY
When speaking with Yves le Boulenge who lives in Cognac France and travels the world for Euro Wine Gate bringing such beautiful crafted drinks for us to experience on the numerous herbs and spices infused into La Quintinye Vermouth Royal. Initially Vermouth was created for its medicinal properties, it 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 flavor 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.”
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal arrives in Hong Kong
La Quintinye Vermouth Royal arrives in Hong Kong
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.
