Lillet Blanc
Lillet is an exceptional wine-based aperitif, crafted with expertise in Podensac, in the heart of the prestigious Bordeaux region. The Lillet Frères house, specializing in spirits and fine wine trading, was founded in 1872. Lillet's unique innovation lies in the subtle combination of the finest Bordeaux wines with carefully selected aromatic plants and exotic fruits. This idea was born thanks to Father Kermann, a traveling doctor—who went to Brazil under Louis XVI—who, upon returning to Bordeaux, developed exceptional quinine-based liqueurs and tonics. In 1985, the Lillet family passed on their heritage to Bruno Borie, before the company joined, in 2008, a subsidiary of the iconic Pernod Ricard group, ensuring its international prominence.
The Lillet recipe is based on a refined blend of wines from the best Bordeaux crus (85%) and fruit and quinine liqueurs (15%), offering a perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness. The fruit liqueurs are extracted through a slow and meticulous maceration, lasting several weeks, of fresh citrus peels such as sweet orange, grown in Moroccan and Spanish orchards, as well as bitter orange from Haiti or Peru. The aging is done traditionally in French oak barrels, giving this beverage an aromatic complexity and incomparable finesse.
Lillet Blanc, created in 1887, is a unique and secret blend of elegant red wines, citrus infusions (sweet and bitter oranges), quinine, and red fruits with delicate nuances. This aperitif wine can be enjoyed neat, in refined cocktails, or diluted with quality tonic, ideal for revealing the full richness of its aromas. Discover this emblematic specialty at Clos des Spiritueux, your expert reference for the best aperitifs and spirits from Bordeaux and beyond.
