Byrrh Aperitif From Roussillon Région 1 litre

Description

Byrrh Tradition: the Roussillon aperitif shaped by wine, quinquina and oak ageing

Byrrh Tradition is a classic French wine-based aperitif produced in Thuir, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France. The brand dates back to 1873, when brothers Pallade and Simon Violet established a recipe that brought together local wines, grape mistelles and quinquina bark. It has since become one of the recognised names in France’s tradition of aromatised wine aperitifs.

The production process begins with grape must, which is macerated with alcohol to create a mistelle. This method stops fermentation and helps preserve the grape’s natural aromatic richness. The mistelles are then blended with selected dry red wines from Roussillon. Carignan and Grenache are among the grape varieties associated with the region and the ingredients used for this style of aperitif.

The blend is aromatised with crushed quinquina bark added cold. Quinquina provides the distinctive bitter, herbal character that sets Byrrh apart from ordinary red wine. The aperitif is then matured in large oak vats in Thuir. According to the producer, Byrrh undergoes around three years of ageing in these wooden vats, helping develop its aromatic profile.

In the glass, Byrrh Tradition has a brown colour with reddish tones. Its nose is spicy and wine-led. The palate is full-bodied, combining fruit-derived richness with the persistent bitterness of quinquina. This balance of rounded grape character and herbal bitterness is central to its traditional style.

This 1-litre bottle contains 17% alcohol by volume. Serve it chilled, ideally at around 16°C, as an aperitif. A slice of lemon adds a fresh citrus accent. Byrrh can also be used in cocktails, bringing a wine-based, bittersweet element to drinks made with spirits or sparkling mixers.