Vigneronne ( - 2019 )
(has 20 batches)
Brasserie Cantillon in Brussels, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium 🇧🇪
Lambic Style - Fruit Regular Out of Production|
Score
7.89
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Blend of lambics aged on average 16 to 18 months and of Muscat grapes.
Muscat grapes make Vigneronne a delicate and very refreshing beer that, due to the fructose, is slightly less acidic than other Cantillon beers.
In spite of its success, the Vigneronne represents less than 5% of the total production of the Cantillon brewery. In order to obtain grapes which are as mature as possible, we buy them at the end of the season. Every year, 1000 kilos of white italian grapes are delivered at the Cantillon brewery in the beginning of October.
It is difficult to produce more Vigneronne even though the demand exists. All the grapes are picked from the bunch by hand and we don’t have much time, since the new brewing season starts at the end of October.
The beers are not blended before the bottling. The second fermentation is caused by the addition of a sugared liquor.
The six-pointed star on our label is an alchemist’s symbol. It contains four elements, represented by triangles, of the brewing process. The fire is the symbol of the mashing tun, the earth of the cereals, the air of the yeasts, and the water is the fourth element. At this moment, only a brewer of traditional lambic may use this symbol.
Muscat grapes make Vigneronne a delicate and very refreshing beer that, due to the fructose, is slightly less acidic than other Cantillon beers.
In spite of its success, the Vigneronne represents less than 5% of the total production of the Cantillon brewery. In order to obtain grapes which are as mature as possible, we buy them at the end of the season. Every year, 1000 kilos of white italian grapes are delivered at the Cantillon brewery in the beginning of October.
It is difficult to produce more Vigneronne even though the demand exists. All the grapes are picked from the bunch by hand and we don’t have much time, since the new brewing season starts at the end of October.
The beers are not blended before the bottling. The second fermentation is caused by the addition of a sugared liquor.
The six-pointed star on our label is an alchemist’s symbol. It contains four elements, represented by triangles, of the brewing process. The fire is the symbol of the mashing tun, the earth of the cereals, the air of the yeasts, and the water is the fourth element. At this moment, only a brewer of traditional lambic may use this symbol.
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7.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Its about time to rate this. This bottle has come around a few times of the years at tastings. This always had a soft spot in my heart because of the star of david on the label (I know its not religious here). I was working a pouring station and pouring this beer at Snallygaster 2018. Had a few sneaks for myself and though its about time to rate it. Between-lambic comparison, as typical more acidic and rougher. The white grapes don't help with appearance or the acidity. I can taste the grapes but somehow the grape must and acidity are even greater. It is cool to have this side by side with St. Lam b/c the red grapes are indeed the winner. Also, this beer would not go a the fest. It kept pouring longer than any other Cantillon and longer than any of the staff would have guessed.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Oct 2018
at 18:37
8.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 10/31/2017. Pours very hazy golden amber color with a 1 finger fairly dense white head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Some spotty soapy lacing on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big lightly tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, citrus peel/zest, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red/green apple, pineapple, mango, melon, papaya, guava, white grape/wine, fruit skin, oak, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light honey/leather/musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/light acidic yeast, grapes, pale/wheat malts, and moderate oak notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, citrus peel/zest, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red/green apple, pineapple, mango, melon, papaya, guava, white grape/wine, fruit skin, oak, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light honey/leather/musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tartness; light fruit tang, and yeast/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, citrus peel/zest, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red/green apple, pineapple, mango, melon, papaya, guava, white grape/wine, fruit skin, oak, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light honey/leather/musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/light acidic yeast, grapes, pale/wheat malts, and moderate oak flavors; with an amazing malt/tartness and tangy fruit balance; with no puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering tartness, tangy fruit, and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/acidic, and lightly tangy/tannic balance mouthfeel that is fantastic. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5%. Overall this is a fantastic fruited lambic! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/light acidic yeast, grapes, pale/wheat malts, and moderate oak flavors; very smooth, easy, and pretty refreshing to drink with the mellowly acidic/tangy/tannic/drying finish, not overly lactic. Amazingly well rounded Brett/Bacteria complexity; balanced muscat grapes, and pale/wheat malts against acidity; with nice oak presence. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example as expected. A lot of increasing complexity as it warmed up.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Sep 2018
at 01:37