Byrrh Grand Quinquina 750ml | French Catalonia Aperitif

Winemaking Notes

Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late-19th century recipe that earned worldwide fame and inspired fifty years of evocative poster art. The aperitif combines a generous, port-like wine and mistelle base with a firm backbone of natural quinine to produce a fruity, refreshing aperitif. The mistelle base, made from grape must fortified with spirit before fermentation, provides richness and body, whilst the port-like wine adds depth and complexity. The natural quinine contributes a firm backbone and distinctive bitter note that balances the fruity sweetness. This meticulous production method, unchanged since the late 19th century, creates an aperitif with deep ruby red colour, generous port-like wine aromas, and a palate that delivers concentrated flavours with excellent balance between sweetness and bitterness. The result is a versatile aperitif that can be enjoyed by itself, with tonic and a lemon peel, or paired with blue cheese. In cocktails, Byrrh mixes well with vodka, gin, cognac, tequila, Irish whiskey, and grapefruit, showcasing its adaptability and the timeless appeal of the original recipe from French Catalonia near Spain.

Vintage Conditions

As a fortified aperitif made from a blend of wine and mistelle with natural quinine, Byrrh Grand Quinquina represents a consistent style that has remained unchanged since the original late-19th century recipe was created in French Catalonia near Spain. The production method focuses on maintaining the quality and character that earned worldwide fame and inspired fifty years of evocative poster art. The generous, port-like wine and mistelle base is carefully selected to provide the richness and body essential for this iconic aperitif, whilst the firm backbone of natural quinine adds the distinctive bitter note that defines the Grand Quinquina style. The combination of these elements produces a fruity, refreshing aperitif with deep ruby red colour and mahogany highlights, generous port-like wine aromas with fruity notes and subtle botanical complexity, and a palate that delivers concentrated flavours with excellent balance. The timeless recipe ensures that each bottle of Byrrh Grand Quinquina maintains the quality and character that made it a world-famous aperitif, perfect enjoyed by itself, with tonic and a lemon peel, or paired with blue cheese. In cocktails, the versatility of Byrrh shines through, mixing well with vodka, gin, cognac, tequila, Irish whiskey, and grapefruit, demonstrating why this French Catalonian aperitif has remained popular for over a century.