The KiKi Vendéen Story
Vin d’Épines: The Traditional Apéritif of the Vendée
Traditionally, the people from the Vendée have made their apéritif known as Vin d’Épines with local wine and the young shoots harvested from wild blackthorn bushes in the spring. The exact regional recipes have been many and varied.
Synonymous with conviviality and pleasure, KiKi Vendéen pays homage to these wonderful homemade traditions. For the first time ever, Heavenly Spirits offers two exceptional examples of this tradition with both a white and a red version.
Terroir of the Vendée
Spread over a 5-kilometer strip stretching from the coast to the Cozes-Bordeaux road on the foamy fringes of the ocean, the family land oscillates from champagne to clay-limestone and siliceous soils.
Have a KiKi with me!
Very fruity, “KiKi” can be enjoyed chilled at apéritif time, with family, friends or neighbors.
KiKi is traditionally served in a small Duralex glass which is also often referred to as a “KiKi.”
Épines Noires
This Traditional aperitif is made with red Vendée wine and the young shoots of wild blackthorn bushes hand harvested in Vendée.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of (morello) cherries and prunes influenced by the blackthorn on the nose. The palate is generous and very fruity. Kiki stands out with its beautiful structure, which is due to the high-quality wine with which it is made. The finish is fresh and elegant.
Poires de Vendée Épines Noires
This Traditional aperitif is made with Vendée wine, young shoots of wild blackthorn bushes hand harvested in Vendée, and pears grown in Vendée by the Vergers de Vendée farmers’ co-op.
Tasting Notes
The nose is discreet, but the palate is generous and remarkably fruity, with delicate and floral pear flavors. Kiki has a lovely freshness on the palate, due to the high-quality wine from which it is made. The blackthorn comes through in the finish.
KiKi Cocktails
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The French Apéro and How Best to Enjoy Apéritif Hour
KiKi Vendéen: A Taste of French Tradition
A true reflection of French farmhouse traditions, KiKi Vendéen originated in the Vendée region as a handcrafted apéritif made by local farmers. Often referred to as a Vin d’Épines, it is crafted with local wine and the young, sap-laden shoots of blackthorn bushes harvested in spring.
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KiKi launches in the US
Kiki is an apéritif produced in the Vendée region in western France and will be available in the US in two varieties; red Epines Noires and white Poires de Vendée Epines Noires.
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![Red and white aromatized wine bottles on a table with small glasses against a background of greenery]()
KiKi Vendéen Launches in the US
The traditional, before-dinner drink from the Vendée region of France is also called a Vin d’Épines or a troussepinéttè, as it is made with local wine and the young sap-laden shoots harvested from blackthorn bushes in the spring. Long regarded as a homemade delight to savor with family and friends, the exact regional recipes have been many and varied. KiKi is also the nickname commonly used for this drink when inviting somebody for a quick late-afternoon or before-dinner apéritif. One would say, “Come have a KiKi with me!”
