Rétha Spiritueux
History
Rétha Spiritueux is a unique micro-distillery located on the Île de Ré, off the coast of the Cognac region. The name Retha is derived from word for "inhabitant" in the patois of the island. The island is nicknamed "Ré la blanche," or White Re, in reference to the white color of its houses painted with lime and the clarity of the sunlight.
Rétha Spiritueux pays homage to its terroir, its oceanic environment, and the artisanal knowledge of Charentais distillation. Their approach is based on the desire to use the local, natural resources to create authentic spirits, including their Oceanic Gin.
Rétha La Blanche is a French artisanal vodka of character. The recipe uses the emblematic new potato variety Alcmaria, grown locally by the market gardeners Unire cooperative, located on the Île de Ré.
Production
Its manufacturing process begins with a maceration and then a double distillation of wheat alcohol and Alcmaria potato. This double-pass technique, borrowed from Cognac, preserves the richness of the terroir and the flavors that emerge from it. Finally, over two months, one of slow reduction and the other to allow the spirit to meld, are necessary in order to propose a balanced and refined spirit.
Alcmaria Potatoes
Annual production is dependent on the potato crop. Each year, in the spring a defined quantity of bottles is produced. These are numbered per year, "One" is the first vintage of 2016.
During the war the "Rétais" illegally produced potato spirits that they traded for cigarettes with the Americans.
On Île de Ré, the mild climate and sandy soils are conducive to the cultivation of early potatoes.
The Alcmaria variety, harvested before maturity between May and June, is particularly appreciated and sought after for its sweet flavors, characterized by subtle hints of hazelnuts and chestnuts. Small in size, its skin is fine and its flesh tender.
This real "culinary treasure" is a vector of quality, know-how, but also rarity. The Alcmaria potato gives birth to an exceptional spirits characterized by an incredibly rich aroma, sweet notes and a surprising roundness in the mouth.
Rétha La Blanche Vodka
Highlights
Rétha La Blanche is a traditional vodka that asserts its character with sweet notes, hazelnuts, and almonds with a creamy, rich texture.
It is best consumed cool (not frozen) as an aperitif or digestive, and proves to be a surprising source of inspiration for your cocktails.
Press
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The 5 French Made Gins and Vodkas You Need Behind Your Bar
How many French-made spirits are behind your bar? If you don’t have a collection of French gin and vodka, it’s time to add a few.
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Check Out The 2022 Chilled 100 Spirits Awards Winners
The results are in! Here are the Chilled 100-Point scores awarded to brands entering The Chilled 100 Spirits Awards 2022.
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![Two clear cocktails in rocks glasses garnished with cucumber and rosemary]()
Sip or Mix: 12 Favorite Gins For Every Budget
Gin is the key ingredient to some of the most iconic, classic cocktails, from the Negroni and French 75 to James Bond’s martini.
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A New Gin Style Highlights Innovation Over Tradition
While London Dry gins get most of the attention, so-called New Western gins have grown quickly in recent years.
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![Salt-and-pepper-haired man stands next to a copper still holding a bottle of vodka]()
A DISTILLER FROM NIEUIL CREATES A VODKA MADE FROM POTATOES FROM THE ÎLE DE RÉ
Laurent Picard is a distiller in Nieuil. It was he who developed the recipe for Rétha la Blanche, a vodka made from potatoes from the Ile de Ré.
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![Three bottles of gin sit in a tidepool with driftwood, sand, shells, rocks, and fishing net]()
Inside the New Wave of Sea-Centric Gin
This is just one of a growing number of gins featuring oceanic botanicals designed to add subtle salinity and seaside breeziness to martinis and other drinks.
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![Orange cocktail in a coupe garnished with cilantro and orange twist in front of liquor bottles]()
Get to Know Jules Theuriet Pamplemousse Liqueur from France
Best known for its portfolio of artisanal French spirits, distributed in 38 states, Heavenly Spirits has long provided a range of unique products that have become backbar mainstays.
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![Crystal coupe with pale yellow cocktail garnished with orange peel on a bamboo cocktail pick]()
2 Must Try French Cocktails For Bastille Day By Bartender Rory Caviness
As part of our countdown to Bastille Day with importer and distributor Heavenly Spirits, Bartender Rory Caviness created two cocktails using French spirits. Caviness was sent bottles of Rétha Oceanic Gin and Armorik Single Malt Whisky Classic, which he used to create Nectar D’Or and the Grande Avion.
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![Close up of pale yellow cocktail in a coupe with lemon twist and bay leaf with two bottles and bar tools in the background]()
These Cocktails Need To Be On Your Special Menu This Bastille Day
Bartender Zev Glesta of New York created his Martin By The Sea using Rétha Oceanic Gin and Guerin Blanc Vermouth.
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![Close up on label for Retha Oceanic Gin with illustrated workers gathering seaweed on a beach]()
Tasting Rétha Oceanic Gin
A gin out of the ordinary whose aromatic part is controlled and contained.
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![Man in dark shirt crouches in tidepool full of dark green seaweed]()
New List ItemThe interview with Retha Spiritueux, our Gin of the month for March
We wanted to highlight the terroir of the Île de Ré. Our approach is based on the desire to use the natural resources around us to create authentic spirits. Their character and typicality are a guarantee of quality.
