Byrrh Grand Quinquina NV

Profile & Story

Byrrh was created in 1866 (some sources cite 1873 for the trademark) in Thuir, France by brothers Simon and Pallade Violet, in French Catalan territory near the Pyrénées-Orientales coast. Legend holds Simon developed the recipe to help his ailing wife Dorothée tolerate bitter medicinal quinquina (cinchona bark) by blending it into wine. Byrrh Grand Quinquina blends fine Roussillon red wine (mainly Carignan and Grenache) and Muscat mistelle with a selection of cinchona bark, exotic spices and botanicals (citrus peel, bitter herbs, cocoa), aged in oak casks/foudres. Now owned by Pernod Ricard and still produced in Thuir at Les Caves Byrrh. Bottled at 18% ABV.

Pairing Recommendation

Traditionally served as an aperitif, chilled with a lemon slice or a splash of soda; also used in Negroni-style cocktails.