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Dubonnet is made on the basis of fortified wine, including cinchona bark, spices, fragrant herbs.
The exact recipe is kept secret, only manufacturers are privy to it. It is only known that white Macabeo grapes, red Carignan and Grenache are used as raw materials, the fruits of which are soaked in alcohol and enriched with light wines, after which Dubonnet undergoes a long aging in oak barrels and is filtered.
Description of the Dubonnet drink
Fortress Dubonnet (Dubonnet) is about 15%. It comes in red, amber and white. Orange peel, vanilla, colombo, angelica, green coffee, plants from the gentian family are used as flavoring ingredients. They give the product a bright recognizable aroma.
The composition is completely natural: the drink does not contain any dyes and sugar. The taste also contains notes of cinnamon, chocolate, chamomile and elderberry.
According to its characteristics, Dubonnet is closest to vermouth, but has a softer bouquet and longer aging (about 3 years).
The history of the creation of Dubonnet
The French owe the appearance of the drink to the talented merchant and pharmacist Joseph Dubonnet. It was his wine mix that in 1846 became the winner in a competition organized by the government with the aim of inventing a product that neutralizes the taste of quinine.
At that time, the bitter drug was the only effective remedy against malaria raging in the soldier’s environment, and a drink was required to soften its unpleasant bitterness and specific aroma. The new aperitif solved the problem: the taste of quinine was successfully disguised, and Joseph Dubonnet became famous.
The wife of the pharmacist, who organized a successful advertising campaign, also became a celebrity. Madame Dubonnet first treated her friends to the newly invented drink, and then actively contributed to the growth of its popularity.
Advertising posters dedicated to Dubonnet in the Art Nouveau style have become one of the symbols of the era. The images were created by well-known artists of that time Cassander and Jules Cheret.
Posters with the catchy slogan “Dubo, dubon, dubonnet” and a playful red-haired lady with a white cat immediately attracted attention. At that time, they could be found in all metro tunnels. Images of cats were present on many posters, and the idea to use them for advertising purposes belonged to Madame Dubonnet.
Today, Art Nouveau drawings are highly valued and collectible, and Dubonnet is popular not only among ordinary people in France, but also among royalty in Britain.
How to drink Dubonnet
Drink Dubonnet as an aperitif, cooling the drink a little, adding ice or serving at room temperature with lemon. They include the product in a variety of cocktails, combining it with rum, bourbon, vodka, vermouth, sparkling wines, citrus juices and liquors.
Relevance: 02.01.2019
Tags: wine and vermouth