Lillet Blanc

Lillet Blanc

About the producer:
Lillet is a historic French aperitif brand founded in 1872 by brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet in Podensac, a small village south of Bordeaux. It quickly gained fame as an elegant aperitif, with recipes blending wine and fruit infusions.

About the region:
Produced in Bordeaux, Lillet reflects the region’s long tradition of winemaking and blending expertise. Its base wine is crafted from carefully selected Bordeaux white grapes.

About the grape varieties:
Lillet Blanc is made primarily from Sémillon, blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. These grapes provide structure, freshness, and aromatic richness to the base wine before maceration with citrus liqueurs.

Style and tasting notes:
Lillet Blanc shows a golden straw color. On the nose, it offers fragrant aromas of honey, candied orange, fresh herbs, and tropical fruits. The palate is soft, round, and refreshing, with flavors of citrus, sweet spice, and a touch of herbal bitterness, leading to a balanced, slightly sweet finish.

Trivia:
Lillet Blanc was originally known as “Kina Lillet” because of the addition of quinine liqueur. It became world-famous in cocktails, most notably as James Bond’s choice in the “Vesper Martini” from Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale. Today, it remains a classic French aperitif, often served chilled with a slice of orange or in refreshing spritz-style cocktails.