L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Blanc Grande Réserve Quinquina

Product of: France

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This bittersweet Corsican aperitif is based on a mistelle of Muscat and Vermentinu grapes grown on the Northern part of the island, and flavoured with various plants, fruits and spices, including macerations of cinchona bark (quinquina or quinine) and macerations of local citron (cédrat) fruit.

The Muscat and Vermentinu grape musts are blended with neutral alcohol to stop fermentation and so retain some of the natural grape sugars - no additional sugars or sweeteners are used.

Serve chilled neat over ice, or with a splash of tonic and garnished with orange zest.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 22/09/2017

Appearance:

Clear, pale golden amber.

Aroma:

Mixed herbs, quinine and floral honeysuckle and elderflower.

Taste:

Bittersweet with quinine bitterness growing through the palate. Rich grape juice offsets complex herbal quinine bitterness with zesty lemon and lemongrass.

Aftertaste:

Lingering quinine bitterness with zesty lemon and white pepper.

Overall:

Even when served neat at room temperature this bittersweet aperitif is very moreish – you’ll want to refill your glass. Herbal quinine bitterness throughout with zesty lemon and lemongrass.