Not your traditional style of gin, G’vine Floraison hails from France and is a softer style of gin made from grape spirits in the region of Cognac.
Ugni blanc grapes are used to produce the wine which is then distilled to a neutral grape spirit. Grape flowers are picked during floraison, the brief period in mid-June before they turn to berries. They are macerated and distilled in a pot still along with nine other botanicals, ginger roots, liquorice, green cardamom, cassia bark, coriander, juniper berries, cubeb berries, nutmeg and lime.
On the nose, G’vine Floraison (40% ABV) is floral and sweet. The flavour is smooth, floral and light, with very soft juniper on the palate, finishing clean and fruity.
G’vine Floraison gin does not suit a dry martini but drinks well in a gin and tonic. Serve it European style, in a long stem glass with ice. During the cooler months, G’Vine recommends you use warmer garnishes such as cinnamon, chocolate, grapes, coriander and ginger instead of lemon or lime.
This article was originally published on August 4, 2014 on our sister website Gourmantic.
