At A Glance
- Origin
- Podensac, Bordeaux-Gironde
- Founded
- 1872
- Category
- Wine-based aperitif
- Recipe
- 85% Bordeaux wines, 15% macerated liqueurs
- Variants
- Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rosé, Lillet Rouge
The Producer
Paul and Raymond Lillet founded Maison Lillet in Podensac in 1872. In 1887, the house created Kina Lillet, a white wine-based aperitif made from Bordeaux wines.
The recipe is 85% Bordeaux wines and 15% macerated liqueurs. Those liqueurs are predominantly citrus-based, with peels of sweet oranges from Spain and Morocco and bitter green oranges from Haiti.
A 1985 reformulation reduced quinine and sugar. Kina Lillet was discontinued in 1986, and the product became Lillet Blanc.
Wines
Lillet Blanc is composed of Sémillon, with notes of candied oranges, honey, and pine resin.
Lillet Rosé blends Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sémillon, with aromas of berries, orange blossom, and grapefruit.
Lillet Rouge blends Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with notes of ripe dark fruits, fresh oranges, berries, vanilla, and delicate spices.
Final Word
Maison Lillet combines 85% Bordeaux wines with 15% macerated liqueurs, following a 1985 reformulation that reduced quinine and sugar.