An innovative vermouth from the Charente region of France (which is better known for its Cognac). The vermouth is produced by EWG Spirits and Wines, and is the product of four years of trial and error by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet – drinks-maker extraordinaire.

This bottling takes its name from the botanist of Louis XIV, and is pronounced ‘Quin-Tea-Nee’. Jean-Baptiste de la Quintinye (to give him his full name) was also the man behind the world-renowned kitchen gardens at Versailles. If you look carefully at the bottle’s neck you can see a depiction of Monsieur de la Quintinye himself.

The vermouth is suspected to be the first to be based upon Pineau des Charentes wine. The Blanc is made using a base of white wine, to which 18 botanicals are added, including: artemisia (wormwood), angelica, nutmeg, iris root, cinnamon, cardamom bitter orange, ginger, quinine, vine flowers, liquorice and Quassia Amara (Amargo). No added caramel is used.

Robicquet’s efforts have paid off, this is a delicious vermouth, that serves up flavours of honeysuckle, lavender, vanilla, honey, slight rosemary, apples, pears, citrus zest, cloves, quinine and rooty spice, bitter wormwood, and fragrant cardamom.

Pair this with G’Vine gin, another of Robicquet’s products, for an intense and flavoursome Martini.

• Distillery / brand
  La Quintinye Vermouth Royal
• Country
  France
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• SKU
  035829