Gin has enjoyed a revival in recent years, with the more traditional botanicals being joined by a range of flavoured varieties, distilled from grain as they have been for centuries. One French producer has bucked the trend, producing G’Vine gin using the ugni blanc grape instead.
The brain-child of Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, G’Vine Floraison was first conceived in 2006. Underneath the grape spirit base is a charming, delicate floral note, which is achieved by adding vine blossoms. Appearing for just a few days each year, these blossoms are quickly harvested for their essential qualities. The floral tones are joined by more traditional botanical flavours, including juniper, cubeb berries, nutmeg, liquorice, cardamom, citrus and ginger.
On the nose, G’Vine Floraison doesn’t strike immediately as a gin – it has a definite note of grape, citrus and ginger. When it hits the palate, grape is still evident, giving a rather pleasant sweetness to the flavour, balancing the botanicals nicely. A clean, herby finish makes it very drinkable…
But G’Vine didn’t stop there. In order to tempt us further, G’Vine introduced June – an elegant and fruity gin liqueur made by infusing G’Vine Floraison with natural aromas of wild peach and summer fruits.
With notes of summer fruits with subtle spice, over a sweet wild peach background with just a hint of vanilla, June is a perfect sipping drink for a warm summer afternoon, either over ice or as a long drink with tonic water.
The fabulous fruity sweetness of the liqueur, coupled with the lower level of alcohol by volume — 30% in the liqueur, down from 40% in the gin — means that the initial hit of alcohol on the nose is pushed to the background.
Once on the palate, warm peaches and vanilla subside to berries, leaving a finish that rivals the clean finish of the G’Vine Floraison.
If you’re looking to try something a little different this summer, G’Vine could be just what you’re looking for. Its offerings are both flavourful and versatile and would make a great addition to any summer cocktail cabinet.
What: G’Vine Floraison
Where: Amazon.co.uk / Master of Malt / Fenwick
How much: £35
What: G’Vine June
Where: Fenwick / The Whisky Exchange / Booths
How much: £29
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