RinQuinQuin

Appearance: Pale yellow gold. Aroma: Peaches, a hint of apricot and a barely noticeable fragrance of apple blossom in the background. Flavour and Texture: Light, sweet arrival with a luscious peach flavour balanced by spritzy acidity. Sweet white wine emerges in the mid palate together with very gentle grassy notes. The texture is sweet but not syrupy. A delicious product. I listed it as a bitter here (the manufacturer classes it as a wine-based apéritif) but on reflection I think the best descriptor is aromatised wine. It lacks the bitterness to sit alongside aparitivi, and it is certainly nothing like any amaro. If you know St Germain elderflower liqueur this has a vague similarity, but is nowhere near as sweet, however the closest drink I can think of is Lillet blanc. Rinquinquin (it is pronounced “ran-can-can”) is made by macerating peach pulp, leaves and pits in sweet white wine, the result being a very delicate drink that can be enjoyed chilled from the freezer over ice, or as the aromatic base for subtle long drinks. The producer is Distilleries et Domains de Provence which also makes the excellent Henri Bardouin pastis and Gentien de Lure bitter apéritif. I enjoyed it with tonic water and a thin slice of grapefruit, but Mrs Cascode polished off most of the bottle with a concoction of 2oz Rinquinquin and 2oz moscato wine over ice in a tall glass, topped up with soda water. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)