🍷 Mistelle
A sweet drink of unfermented grape juice with added spirit.
Mistelle is a sweet drink made of unfermented grape juice with spirit. Spirit or grape distillate is added to fresh juice, which prevents fermentation. The sugar is left untouched, so the drink is sweet and strong.
Mistelles are made in various countries. In France they include Pineau des Charentes, Floc de Gascogne, Macvin from the Jura and Champagne ratafia. Similar drinks exist in Italy and Spain. They are drunk as an aperitif or with desserts, served chilled. Mistelles are also used as a base for vermouth.
Mistelle is counted among fortified wines, though in the strict sense it is not wine, since the juice has not fermented. Pineau des Charentes is the best-known example. The recipe is very simple, juice and spirit, but the result depends on the quality of the juice and spirit and on ageing. They are often aged in barrels from several months to several years, and then the flavour becomes deeper.
How it connects to Wine
🍷 Mistelle → kind of → 🍷 Mulled wine and fortified wines → related → 🍷 Wine
How it connects to Spirits
🍷 Mistelle → kind of → 🍷 Mulled wine and fortified wines → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What is made from it
- 🥃 Byrrh
- Part of
- 🍷 Fortified wine, 🍷 Mulled wine and fortified wines
- Where it is made
- 🗺️ French wine, 🗺️ Spanish wine, 🗺️ Italian wine
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Pineau des Charentes, 🍷 Floc de Gascogne, 🍷 Macvin du Jura, 🍷 Ratafia de Champagne, 🥃 Pommeau de Bretagne
Frequently asked questions
What is mistelle made of?
Fresh, unfermented grape juice with spirit or grape distillate added, which keeps it from fermenting.
Is it true that mistelle is a kind of wine?
Not quite. It is counted among fortified wines, but since the juice has not fermented, it is not wine in the strict sense.
Is Pineau des Charentes a mistelle?
Yes, it is the best-known example.
What to read next
- 🗺️ Italian wine — The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grape varieties, appellations.
- 🥃 Byrrh — Byrrh is a French aperitif made from red wine and mistelle, flavoured with cinchona bark. Created in 1866 by the Violet brothers in Thuir, Roussillon; 17–18% ABV; owned by Pernod Ricard.
- 🍷 Macvin du Jura — A drink from the Jura: grape juice blended with local grape brandy.
- 🥃 Pommeau de Bretagne — Breton drink of cider apple must fortified with aged cider brandy: AOC since 1997, at least 14 months in oak, 16–18% ABV (32–36 US proof), over 90 g/l of unfermented sugar.
- 🗺️ French wine — The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grapes and appellations.
Similar
🍷 Mutage · 🍷 Rancio · 🍷 Marsala · 🍷 Vin doux naturel · 🍷 Málaga · 🍷 Rutherglen Muscat
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.