Best known for his creations Ciroc Vodka and G vine gin, his mission was to create a vermouth that’s ‘complex, memorable and long on the palate’. Tonight, it launches in Paris and on Wednesday in Barcelona.
“From my nose-up attitude, I wanted to create a drink using vine flowers (hops) that interacts with the consumer,” he explained.
The three variants – Blanc (sweet) Extra Dry and the most popular so far, Rouge – each have their own character. The dry has a Pineau des Charentes base from the Bordeaux region where Jean Sebastien grew up, while the sweet is almost a dessert wine or sherry-like aperitif (though far more complex). The Rouge has proved most popular in tastings (frequently on the rocks). The Botanicals you can taste in each of them are beautifully drawn on the label, with a gold fleur de lis giving the bottle a distinctly Renaissance feel.
Master distiller Jean Sebastien Robicquet is owner and founder of French company EWG Eurogate spirits and wine, based between Bordeaux and the Cognac region in France. The mixology face of the brand is Gaz or Gary Regan, who wrote the renowned Negroni book.
Another big name – and the face of the brand in the US – is Philip Duff, a US-based mixologist. Two other names associated with the launch are Nick Strangeway – the bar genius behind Mark’s and Hix bars in Central London, and Jamie London who is the Euro lead for Eurowinegate in UK.
Tonight, we have three vertical tastings and a variety of cocktails to underline the versatility of the brands. I’ll fill you in a little later, but judging by the ornate rococo gilt-lined room and opulent bar, we are in for some pleasant surprises. I have already heard that we have ladies dressed in Renaissance style. Ooh la la!
Update: I have a new favourite cocktail: the Negroni Royale, made using Gvine gin, Campari and Quintinye Rouge. We also had fun dressing up with pompadour wigs and fans before having our picture taken in the pop-up bar photo booth. I have a fancy we may be seeing quite a lot more of Quintinye.
Listen to my interview with Jean-Sebastien Robicquet …
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