Lillet Rose is the newest addition to the famed lineup of famous French aperitif make Maison Lillet.  Made from a blend of Semillon grapes, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadet, Lillet Rose is a tempting, fruity, and well-balanced way to enjoy an aperitif during the warmer months.

The process to create Lillet Rose is quite complicated and time-consuming. Once the wine is blended, the distillers add a small amount of orange liqueur, sweet and bitter orange peels, and other fruit liqueurs native to Maison Lillet’s Podensac, France. After those steps are completed, Peruvian quinine is mixed into the final blend to create a pleasing touch of bitterness, helping to cleanse the palate and to create a sense of lightness on the tongue.

Interestingly, the base blend of the wine itself contains no red grape varieties. The rose color of Lillet Rose is achieved two ways. First, red fruit liqueurs are part of the blend, adding color. Additionally, a small portion of Lillet Rouge is mixed in to the composition for color and flavor.

If all of this seems like a lot of work for a summertime aperitif, quite frankly, it is. Maison Lillet focuses on quality, which has separated this distillery from other producers of aperitifs. As a result, this quality has transcended into both the flavor and aroma.

On the nose, Lillet Rose offers notes of strawberries and raspberries that carry through to the palate. Ripe strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, and honeysuckle flavors abound, while undertones of orange, both sweet and bitter, complement the red fruit notes. The finish is light, crisp, and refreshing with just a hint of pleasing bitterness. Additionally, the flavor palate of  Lillet Rose will lend itself to mixing into cocktails easily; for the best results, think tall drinks with mixers, like club soda, grapefruit juice, or mineral water. Make sure to enjoy Lillet Rose at refrigerator temperatures, and don’t be afraid to drop a couple of ice cubes or an orange twist to enhance the experience.

At an MSRP of $18.99, Lillet Rose is a great value and an even better summer aperitif. Try some on a warm night and see just how delicious the newest addition to Lillet can be.

Disclosure: I received a sample of this product from Maison Lillet for review. No other compensation from Maison Lillet was received.