Definition: Marie Brizard - liqueur

Founded in 1755 in Bordeaux. Created by Marie Brizard in Bordeaux, in the heart of a region renowned worldwide for its tradition of quality, the brand is one of the oldest dedicated to the creation of liqueurs and beverages made from plants, fruits and spices.

Since 1755, Marie Brizard has been producing fruit liqueurs rich in flavour and colour. The selection of quality fruits and plants and the creation of exclusive recipes enable the production of a range of balanced liqueurs.

The fruits are picked when fully ripe in order to extract their delicate fragrance. The distillation and maceration of the fruits are carried out using traditional methods that guarantee the highest quality.

Originally using the recipe for aniseed liqueur that would become Anisette Marie Brizard, the company has experienced considerable growth by adding a wide range of cocktail liqueurs, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and, more recently, wines.

The marketing of the 200 million bottles produced by the group is supported by two distribution subsidiaries (in France and Spain) and an export business covering more than 120 countries. The Marie Brizard liqueur brand benefits from expertise and a reputation that is unique in the world. The spirits business also includes other well-known brands such as Gautier cognac, Old Lady's gin and Berger aniseed liqueurs. The non-alcoholic beverage business is based on two pillars: Sirop Sport and Pulco citrus concentrates. The wine business has recently been strengthened by the acquisition of Chais Beaucairois.

Since 2005, William Pitters has been part of the Marie Brizard Group, bringing a range of complementary products: whiskies (William Peel, Glen Roger's, etc.), punches, William Pitterson cocktails, Litchao liqueur, San José tequila, Odin vodka and non-alcoholic aperitifs.

The Marie Brizard Group now has six production sites:

• Bordeaux - Fondaudège: production of classic and modern liqueurs, Old Lady's London Dry Gin, Marie Brizard anisette and spirits for professional use.

• Bordeaux - Lormont: bottling of whiskies, San José Tequila and Odin Vodka; production of punches, William Pitterson cocktails, Litchao liqueur and non-alcoholic aperitifs.

• Aigre (Charente) – Gautier: production of cognacs (Gautier), brandies (Cortel), Pineau, Armagnac, eaux-de-vie and Berger aniseed liqueurs.

• Beaucaire (Gard) – Les Chais Beaucairois: blending and bottling of still wines, and production of syrups.

• Zizurkil (Spain): production of citrus concentrates (Pulco), Marie Brizard aniseed liqueurs and Pacharan Olat.

• Fuenmayor (Spain) – Bodegas Marqués del Puerto: ageing, blending and bottling of La Rioja wines.

All of these industrial sites, except for those in Lormont and Fuenmayor, are ISO 9001 certified. Marie Brizard et Roger International is a company headquartered at 130-142 Rue Fondaudège in Bordeaux.

In December 2005, Marie Brizard signed an agreement with the Belvédère SA group in Beaune, which acquired 69.3% of the Bordeaux-based group's capital, previously held by the British investment fund Duke Street. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

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