M. Chapoutier : Discretia

Tasting characteristics and tips for Discretia by M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet unfolds in three stages, offering a most spirited aromatic composition. The top notes open with a beautiful freshness centered on candied lemon, bergamot and verbena. The heart then reveals a more forest-like and herbaceous character, carried by fennel, cedar, hawthorn, fir and gentian. Finally, the base notes bring a warm and captivating depth thanks to camphor, blond tobacco and nutmeg.

Palate
The attack is fresh and lemony, evolving elegantly over silky tannins. The palate is quickly enriched with spicy notes, softened by the comforting indulgence of vanilla and tonka bean. The finish is long and flavorful, marked by a beautiful vegetal bitterness, a bouquet of spices, a bold hint of chilli and an elegant return of cedar.

Food pairings and tasting moments
This liqueur is best enjoyed neat or served on the rocks in order to release all its aromatic subtleties and to savour it in just the right measure.

Mixology
Thanks to its great botanical complexity and its layered aromatic profile, it also lends itself wonderfully to the creation of bold and refined cocktails.

A complex and botanical French liqueur crafted by M. Chapoutier

Maison M. Chapoutier: Rhône excellence and biodynamics
Founded in 1808 in Tain-l'Hermitage, in the heart of the northern Rhône Valley, the M. Chapoutier estate is a historic winemaking institution. Under the leadership of its current owner and director, Michel Chapoutier, the property underwent a true revolution in the late 1980s by adopting biodynamics on a large scale. This holistic philosophy, combined with an extremely precise plot-by-plot reading of the terroirs (particularly on granitic soils where Syrah, Marsanne and Roussanne flourish), has forged the estate's worldwide reputation. A pioneer, the estate also stands out for its social commitment, illustrated by the integration of braille on its labels since the 1990s. Although globally renowned for its great wines, M. Chapoutier also demonstrates its expertise through the creation of spirits, including a remarkable French liqueur, blending tradition, technical demands and absolute respect for the plant world.

Discretia: The art of just measure
The name of this liqueur, Discretia, has its roots in Latin and is inspired by the historical figure of Hildegard of Bingen, for whom "just measure is the mother of all virtues, the just measure of plants". This philosophy is perfectly reflected in the composition of this exceptional spirit.

The base of this liqueur rests on 100% French alcohol and sugar, both derived from grapes. To this backdrop is added a meticulous maceration and distillation of around forty plants, flowers, barks, roots and spices. The botanical ingredients come from the Alps, the Diois and the Pyrenees, while the spices are selected from among the most renowned terroirs in the world.

The creation of Discretia required a colossal development effort: more than 1,000 trials were carried out, involving the testing of around a hundred plants and the analysis of nearly 100 different recipes. Production is carried out using a Stupfler copper column still, recognised for its precision. Finally, the spirit benefits from several months of ageing, divided between stainless steel tanks and old demi-muids that previously held white Hermitage, thus bringing a final touch of complexity to the blend.