France produces more fine wine than any other country in the world. In terms of vineyard area, it ranks second behind only Spain and competes with Italy as the world's largest wine producer. France's many grape varietals (including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) are planted throughout the world and its winemaking techniques and styles have been widely studied and copied. The climate varies significantly throughout the country, allowing for a broad range in wine styles from many different varietals. Its soils and topography also vary greatly from region to region. France's most renowned wine regions include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Rhone Valley. In addition to their winemaking and varietal influence, the French have imparted the notion of Terroir, meaning roughly sense of place, throughout the wine world. 

It all began during the very hot summer of 1885…at that time, Émile Giffard was a dispensing chemist living in Angers (Val de Loire). He had an inventive, inquiring mind, and was a gourmet as well. He took an interest in the digestive and refreshing properties of mint, and ended up concocting a pure, clear and refined white mint liqueur which he promptly put to the test by offering the guests at the Grand Hotel a sip of his cordial as a relief against the heat wave. Having found instant success, Émile turned his pharmacy into a distillery and named his liqueur Menthe-Pastille, in reference to the tiny mint sweets that were all the rage in those days. Five generations later, the family business still bears the GIFFARD name and is proud to uphold the high standards of quality instilled by its original creator.

If you would like more information, please visit the winery's website at: Giffard