L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Rouge Grande Réserve Quinquina

Product of: France

See more Rouge Kina & Quinquinas aromatised wines

This bittersweet Corsican aperitif is based on a mistelle (grape must) of island grown Muscat and Vermentinu grapes, 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, over ice, with a splash of tonic and garnished with orange zest.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 22/09/2017

Appearance:

Clear, rust red.

Aroma:

Quinine and citrus with floral honeysuckle and elderflower.

Taste:

Bittersweet. Quinine bitterness partially offsetting grape, caramel and honeyed sweetness with complex herbal notes (particularly rosemary).

Aftertaste:

Lingering quinine bitterness with herbs and white pepper spice.

Overall:

Muscular herbal quinine bitterness is made more approachable with light caramel and honeyed fruity sweetness.