Wild & beautiful: a new luxury French vodka

As the meteoric rise of craft spirits continues to sweep across Europe, two Frenchmen, Antoine and Olivier, the founders of Ossau Vins & Spiritueux, have combined their passion for France’s craft traditions and their love of fine vodka to bring Sauvelle in market.

Sauvelle is an independent, small batch, 100% natural crafted vodka. Made at a micro distillery in the Charente region of Cognac, it launches in the UK, Spain and France this summer (from June 2015).

Described as “a luxury French vodka for the well-travelled, free-spirited, bon vivant vodka drinker”, Sauvelle takes its name from the French for ‘wild and beautiful’, referring both to the countryside in which the vodka is produced and the people for whom it was created.

“Sauvelle has been created by Miko, our distiller and créateur de spiritueux using the traditional method of fine vodka-making, but taking the refinement to the next level - herein lies the difference"

Miko says: "Over the course of several months, a full strength, soft wheat French spirit is brought down to 41% abv. In the final weeks of this process the liquid is gently filtered over three types of wood, including a charred oak, which absorbs the unwanted impurities and leaves us with unflavoured but rich and creamy vodka. To maintain its natural bright notes of vanilla and cherry blossom, the final liquid is left unfiltered.”

Amongst those who will be serving Sauvelle when it launches are Boris Ivan at Galvin at Windows, Hilton Park Lane, Ed Deegan at 5 Hertford Street, Pedro Solorzano at Hush, Giovanni Cassino at Browns Hotel in London and Anthony Peart at The Hand and Flowers in Marlow. Sauvelle has been working with Boris and Anthony to create brand serves such as the perfect serve V&T (mix Sauvelle with 1724 tonic water and serve over ice with a fresh vanilla pod garnish).

Sauvelle (RRP £34.99/70cl, £99/magnum) is distilled from French wheat and using the spring waters of Gensac. It is unchillfiltered and oak smoothed using chêne du Limousin, to achieve vanilla and caramel notes. Sauvelle will be available from June in multiple wholesale and retail stockists.

Creatives
Studio Sauvelle is a platform working with esteemed creatives in the Art, Design, Fashion and Music spheres, nurturing and celebrating their talents and helping bring them to wider public acclaim. They are: tattoo artist Dominique Holmes, international DJ Charles Prince, illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan and jeweller Catherine Zoraida. Each has been commissioned by Sauvelle to work with the brand’s concept of wild and beautiful.

Studio Sauvelle will come to life at three exclusive invite-only brand launch events in London, Ibiza and Paris where the original pieces made by the Studio Sauvelle Creatives will be unveiled. Each item is connected to the Sauvelle drinking experience.

Sauvelle is the first spirit to be created by the founders of Ossau Vins & Spiritueux. Antoine and Olivier are good friends passionate about fine spirits, and supporting the growing revival of French craft distilling traditions. Their vision has been brought to market with the help of Original Marketing & Strategy agency, and a small team of creative’s, which includes music and content agency Script and web and social media agency Terry and Fran.

Sales and trade contact: Chris@Sauvellevodka.com 

27 April 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor