The Gin Diaries pt2: G’Vine Nouaison

From the Cognac region of France comes…   a gin…   using grapes…

Confused yet..? 

Let me try to remove your fog.  In the fall, the grapes for the gin are harvested and wine is made.  The wine is then distilled into a grape spirit, producing a somewhat smoother result than the usual grain spirits.  The infusion process then begins with the grapevine flower – this is the flower that produces the grapes.  In a rather complex process, the timely harvested flowers and 9 other botanicals are individually macerated and blended into the grape spirit and further distilled. 

What other botanicals, you ask..?

Juniper (duh..!), nutmeg, ginger root, cubeb berries, licorice, lime, coriander, green cardamom and cassia bark.

Yep, that’s all nine..!

Two final products are bottled by G’Vine.  The first is Floraison, which is based on a slightly younger grape flower.  Second is Nouaison, which is the flower just before the grapes appear.  Nouaison is the subject of this review and is a bit less floral and leans a bit more toward spice and juniper.

The nose is certainly different than most gins, with floral tones, but the juniper notes keep it structured.  On the palate, it starts with those floral grape-flower notes, then that pesky juniper and a touch of spiced heat appear, albeit somewhat muted.  The finish is well-balanced, but again, different from the typical London Dry style. 

The product is well made, but a bit off the beaten path, style-wise.  Worth a try if you want a change of pace. 

G’Vine  -  the wine-lover’s gin..? 

Cheers..!