Authentic Family recipe

PICON VIN BLANC WITH A HISTORY 

Picon Vin Blanc is a classic aperitif from the north of France. The drink combines the bitter orange liqueur Picon with dry white wine, often from local vineyards. This combination originated in the 19th century, when bitter liqueurs became popular as an appetite-stimulating aperitif. 

The base, Picon, was developed by Gaétan Picon, a French distiller who was inspired by bitter liqueurs in North Africa. His creation, based on orange, gentian and cinchona bark, quickly found its way to cafes in northern France. There, Picon began to be mixed with local white wine, which led to the typical Picon Vin Blanc.

In many village cafes and brasseries in West Flanders, Picon Vin Blanc grew into a permanent part of the aperitif culture. The drink is traditionally served before meals, as a fresh but characterful start, and remains a beloved regional specialty in the east of France and neighboring areas to this day.