Lillet launches first new style in 50 years

Maison Lillet, the French apéritif producer in Bordeaux, has launched its first new product in 50 years, Lillet Rosé. Suitable for summer drinking, well chilled, over ice or in summer cocktails, Lillet Rosé is expected to take its place in the UK market, as it has in the US, as a fine wine rosé apéritif. The ever-growing trend for rosé in the UK, means Lillet Rosé’s distributor, Marblehead Brand Development, is confident of growing the brand during the summer months.

Lillet Rosé is created from a blend of the red and white Grand Cru Bordeaux wine varietals used to produce Lillet Blanc and Lillet Rouge.

This includes Muscatel grapes for a floral bouquet and Sauvignon Blanc for bright fruit characteristics, as well as Semillon, lending structure and length. The wine is then married with artisanal liqueurs made from sweet orange peels from Spain and bitter orange peels from Haiti, and a proprietary blend of fruit liqueurs, sourced near and produced in Maison Lillet's distillery in Podensac. A small amount of Peruvian quinine is then added to the final blend. Its rosé colour and taste profile are achieved by adding red fruit liqueurs and a very small amount of Lillet Rouge, using a traditional Champagne blending method, to ensure a consistent colour throughout.

Tasting note: Lillet Rosé is a bright, fruit-forward apéritif with notes of ripe berry, wildflower, melon and stone fruit, complemented by the traditional sweet and bitter citrus notes.

RRP: £20.00 AbV: 17%

Lillet Rosé is launching in Harvey Nichols and will be available in selected Majestic Stores throughout the UK, as well as in The Dorchester, Coq d’Argent, Club Gascon, Baltic and fine bars and restaurants throughout the UK.

Award: Gold Medal in the San Francisco Spirits Competition 2011

Marblehead Brand Development’s brands include Hangar One Vodka, Kraken Spiced Rum, Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila, Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rouge and Lillet Rosé.

July 2012

1 July 2012 - Felicity Murray