The French Apéro and How Best to Enjoy Apéritif Hour

Apéritifs: A Delightful Prelude to Every Meal

Heavenly Spirits, a leading importer of award-winning French spirits based in Lakeville, MA, credits the French for perfecting l’heure de l’apéro—or the apéritif hour—long before the modern cocktail or even America’s “happy hour” was born.

An apéritif is an alcoholic beverage traditionally enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. The word itself comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open.” France and Italy both have long traditions of producing vermouth, fortified wines, and regional aperitif liqueurs, many of which are enjoyed neat, or have become staples in classic cocktails.

Typically containing an ABV slightly higher than wine but lower than straight spirits, popular French apéritifs include Vermouth, Champagne, Pastis, Absinthe, Pommeau de Normandie, Banyuls, Pineau des Charentes, and Floc de Gascogne.

An apéritif is more than just a drink—it’s an experience. It often includes small bites (amuse-bouches) such as crackers, cheese, pâté, salted nuts, or olives, making it a convivial and essential part of French culture.

The apéritif hour has seen a major revival in recent years, growing in popularity worldwide. Here are a few exceptional French apéritifs to try:

Not Your Grandfather’s Vermouth

Many still associate vermouths with the classic dry martini famously ordered by James Bond. But did you know that this fortified wine comes in a range of delicious styles beyond the classic dry variety?

Vermouth is a fortified wine infused with a blend of herbs and spices, historically for medicinal or flavor-enhancing purposes. Ingredients can include angelica root, bitter orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander. The first sweet vermouth was created in 1786 by Antonio Benedetto Carpano in Turin, Italy, while dry vermouth was introduced in 1813 by Joseph Noilly in the southern French village of Marseillan. With an ABV typically between 16% and 18%, vermouth can be enjoyed on ice, chilled, or in a variety of classic cocktails.

Vermouth remains a daily apéritif staple in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. A 700ml bottle ranges from $9 to $49. Like other fortified wines, vermouth should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and consumed within two months of opening.

Guerin Vermouth: A Pineau-based French Classic

Produced in the Cognac region of Southwest France, Guerin Vermouth stands out for its unique base—Pineau des Charentes, a fortified sweet wine aged in wooden barrels. Guerin offers four distinct vermouth styles:

• Classic Sweet Red
• Dry White
• Sweet White
• Rare Dry Red

Each variety is infused with a selection of botanicals and herbs before undergoing a brief aging period in oak casks, resulting in a rich and flavorful apéritif. Typically served chilled or over ice, Guerin Vermouth pairs beautifully with charcuterie, salted nuts, potato chips, or olives. A 700ml bottle is generally priced at around $20.

With its depth of flavor and botanical complexity, vermouth could be considered the original ready-to-drink cocktail. Whether enjoyed neat or as a key ingredient in timeless drinks like the Dry Martini or Manhattan, this versatile apéritif remains a must-try.

Traditional Pineau des Charentes

Legend has it that Pineau des Charentes is the result of a happy accident. In the late 16th century, a winegrower carelessly threw grape must (sweet grape juice) into a barrel containing Cognac. Years later, the barrel was discovered, and Pineau des Charentes, a deliciously fortified grape-based aperitif drink was born.

For the longest time, Pineau des Charentes was the most closely guarded secret of the region and was mostly reserved for weddings and family events. The industry began to organize itself in 1920 and obtained the Appellation d’Origine status in 1935. On October 12th, 1945, Pineau des Charentes went one step further by being named an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée wine – an official distinction that guarantees its origin and quality. It has since been exported and enjoyed across the world.

Guerin, the largest Pineau producer in the region, offers light and refreshing Pineau, aged a minimum of 2 years. Normandin-Mercier’s five-year old red or white Pineau are quintessential apéritifs from an iconic house, and Jean Fillioux’s Vieux Pineau (15 year white; 10-year-old red) are elegant versions of this apéritif that will really elevate your experience.

KiKi Vendéen: A Taste of French Tradition

A true reflection of French farmhouse traditions, KiKi Vendéen originated in the Vendée region as a handcrafted apéritif made by local farmers. Often referred to as a Vin d’Épines, it is crafted with local wine and the young, sap-laden shoots of blackthorn bushes harvested in spring.

For generations, families in the Vendée region created their own variations of this apéritif, making each batch unique. The drink became so popular that inviting someone for a pre-dinner sip was a common phrase, affectionately translated as, “Come have a KiKi with me!”—an offer synonymous with conviviality and pleasure.

Today, Heavenly Spirits imports two exceptional versions of this time-honored tradition:
• KiKi Vendéen Épines Noires – A deep, fruit-forward red expression with slight tartness.
• KiKi Vendéen Pear & Épines Noire – A white version made with the addition of locally harvested pear juice for a crisp, refreshing taste.

This low-ABV, fruit-balanced sipper is perfect for apéritif hour, whether enjoyed with friends and family or mixed into cocktails. Traditionally, KiKi is often served chilled in a small Duralex glass, known as a KiKi glass.

Discover More French Apéritifs

Whether you’re drawn to the botanical complexity of Guerin Vermouth, the rustic charm of KiKi Vendéen, or the refined elegance of Pineau des Charentes, there’s a French apéritif for every palate. Other regional apéritif options include, Floc de Gascon, and un-aged version of Pineau, but from the Armagnac region in Gascony, and Pommeau de Normandie, a delightful aperitif made in north-western France by mixing apple juice with Calvados.

For more information or to explore our full selection, visit Heavenly Spirits at:
📞 (508) 947-9973
🌎 www.heavenlyspirits.com
Cheers to l’heure de l’apéro—santé!

The post The French Apéro and How Best to Enjoy Apéritif Hour appeared first on Chilled Magazine.