Lillet Rouge, Aperitif de Bordeaux is a sweet, ruby red aperitif originating from the French village of Podensac. A refreshing, aromatic blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, blackberry, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and brandy, Lillet Rouge, Aperitif de Bordeaux is traditionally served well-chilled on ice with a slice of lime or orange. Lillet Rouge, Aperitif de Bordeaux also makes a flavorful base for a variety of exotic cocktailsLillet Rouge is bright ruby-red in color. It has strong aromas of ripe red fruits with hints of vanilla and very fine spices. It is full-bodied, suave and velvety with a good backbone and softly rounded tannins.Lillet has been made in the town of Podensac in southern Bordeaux since 1887 from a blend of barrel-aged merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines, spices, cinchona bark—the source of quinine—and various varieties of sweet and bitter orange peels. The fruit is rendered into individual liqueurs by macerating them in alcohol and aging in wood. The wine and liqueurs are blended together—85% wine and 15% liqueurs—and matured in French oak for up to a year. It is bottled at 17% alcohol by volume.
