Lillet Rouge French Aperitif Wine

Product Description

Lillet Rouge French Aperitif Wine: Bordeaux Red Wine and Citrus Liqueurs

Lillet Rouge is the red member of the Lillet family, a French wine-based aperitif from Podensac, south of Bordeaux. Pierre Lillet, grandson of the brand’s founder, created it in 1962 for the growing American taste for red wine. It’s a blend of about 85% Bordeaux red wines, mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% fruit liqueurs made by macerating sweet and bitter orange peels and cinchona bark, then aged in oak. It’s bottled at 17% ABV.

The brand says Rouge brings more fruit flavor and a richer, more deeply flavored experience than Blanc, with Merlot lending full fruit and a rich texture. It was reformulated in the early 1990s with higher-quality base wines for more complexity.

What’s in the Bottle

• About 85% Bordeaux red wine (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) and 15% citrus liqueurs
• Sweet and bitter orange peels and cinchona (quinine)
• Aged in oak
• 17% ABV, 750ml
• Contains sulfites and, per a retailer, no artificial flavoring

Tasting Notes

From Lillet’s own notes.

Color: Ruby red with purple highlights.

Nose: Ripe dark fruits such as blackberry and plum.

Taste: Fresh orange, ripe berries, vanilla, and delicate spices, with a subtle richness.

Finish: Soft tannins and a gently bittersweet finish.

Food Pairings

The berry, orange, and spice pair well with duck, venison, and charcuterie. It also goes with aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and roasted vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it well chilled, over ice with a slice of fresh orange, or with tonic. Lillet suggests a Spiced Sangria or a Negroni. It’s also a fruitier stand-in for sweet vermouth in stirred drinks. Refrigerate it after opening, and finish it within a few weeks, per retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lillet Rouge? A French red aperitif wine made from Bordeaux wines and citrus liqueurs.

What proof is it? 17% ABV.

What grapes does it use? Mostly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Is it sweet? Fruit-forward and gently sweet, with a bittersweet finish.

How is it different from Blanc? Rouge is red, richer, and berry-led, while Blanc is golden and citrus-honey.

How do I drink it? Chilled, over ice with an orange slice, with tonic, or in a Negroni.

Does it need refrigeration? Refrigerate it after opening.

Explore More

Try the Lillet Blanc or the Lillet Rosé, or browse our Wine collection.

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At Quality Liquor Store, we guarantee the authenticity and quality of every bottle we sell. All of our products are sourced directly from authorized distributors, and every order is carefully packaged to arrive safely at your door. Shop with confidence knowing your aperitif is in good hands.