Pastis de L’ile de Ré is the result of the meeting between a talented sommelier and Didier Dorin – herbalist extraordinaire specializing in medicinal plants and Mediterranean herbs. Didier’s lands are located in Charente-Maritime, spread over both the mainland and the island of Ile de Ré. You may know Ile de Ré if you are a cognac fan, because it is one of the few places outside the mainland where cognac is made. The island’s salty marshland gives the herbs a very special character, which also varies from year to year depending on the weather, which is why this pastis (as the only one we’ve heard of) is bottled as a vintage pastis! Fennel seeds play the main role, and it is primarily those that, together with licorice, give the characteristic scent and taste. Other herbs are also included in the recipe, but they remain Didier’s secret, unfortunately!
