Pavan

Appearance: Light straw Aroma: Exceptionally intense sweet grape aroma, comparable to Sauternes or high-quality Riesling but so concentrated it resembles artificial grape candy. Hints of frangipani and honeysuckle are also present. Taste and Texture: A very sweet initial taste of grape candy, followed by a lightly acidic, effervescent tang reminiscent of lemon sherbet. This then transitions to a smooth, sweet white wine note that persists into the aftertaste. The texture is full, like a dessert wine. Pavan has a long history, and we recently acquired a bottle to replenish our cocktail supplies for the upcoming summer (which we expect to be quite hot, necessitating many refreshing spritzes!). Initially, the aroma seems almost comically sweet and grape-like, reminding me strongly of grape popping candy. However, this is a completely natural product, essentially a mistelle with added orange blossom essence, and it quickly becomes quite appealing. Its profile is somewhat similar to ice wine but with more character. It serves as a fantastic flavoring agent in most cocktails that accommodate fruity, citrus notes, and can be used as an alternative to St. Germain for a slightly different twist. We incorporated it into Hugo cocktails last weekend with delicious results. It's also enjoyable served neat and chilled, but requires a preference for sweet flavors. It's not thick or syrupy, but rather delicate, yet very sweet – akin to dessert wine. My wife has made this her new favorite liqueur. "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars)