About
The family’s 40 hectares of vineyards are divided between Saint Sauvant and Chérac. Le Droguet, in Chérac, was bought by the Merlets in 1936. It once belonged to Baron Otard (of the cognac of the same name). At the heart of Borderies, vineyards, blackcurrant fields and woods surround the family house.
The village of Saint Sauvant is Merlet’s haven. The distillery was built at L’aumônerie de Chevessac in 1850. The old family property now houses Merlet’s offices, a short walk from the 12th century Romanesque church that proudly towers over the village.
Merlet Creme de Poire William Liqueur (Williams Pear liqueur) is made with a very characteristic and uniquely aromatic variety. The Merlets source their fruits from partner producers in Val de Loire to guarantee consistent quality. Thanks to their position as currant growers and winemakers, the Merlets are able to exchange with the partner producers and call on their own expertise to select fruits of optimal ripeness. The pears are soaked in pure alcohol to extract all their flavours, then pressed and filtered. This natural fruit infusion is blended with pear eau-de-vie, enhancing its aromatic intensity. Sugar is then added to obtain the Crème de poire. Complete control of every stages of the process, from sourcing the fruits and selecting only the ripest to their transformation by Merlet, guarantees, together with the very high concentration of macerated fruits, the intensity and complexity of the final product.
Merlet Creme de Poire William Liqueur is enjoyed on the rocks, with soda water or in the French tradition with wine or Champagne.
Tasting Notes
NOSE: Mellow, enticing aromas of sliced pears, meringue, and delicate spice.
PALATE: Juicy, round and generous.
FINISH: Long, tangy, honeyed pear tart.