The history of Maison Briottet

A former wine trading company, our firm was established in 1836 by James Demontry who at that time owned a vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny in Burgundy.

Blackcurrants were first of all used to make Ratafia de Cassis (a sweet blackcurrant aperitif drink). Our forebears macerated blackcurrants in wine and then added eau de vie (a distilled beverage) and sugar.
It was more rotgut than liqueur, it was not until 1841 that a fruit-liqueur maker in Dijon started making a blackcurrant liqueur (also known as cassis), by not using wine and eau de vie and by replacing them with “good taste” (neutral) alcohol, so as to change the flavour and the aroma of the blackcurrants.

In the 1900s, Edmond Briottet started running the firm set up by Demontry. His father-in-law Jules Theuriet, who had premises at 12 Rue Berlier in Dijon – who was also a wine trader – sold Briottet his company. the two businesses became one.
Given the growing popularity of the ````white wine-cassis```` aperitif, Edmond Briottet little by little stopped operating as a wine trader and instead switched over gradually to producing Dijon Crème de Cassis and started concentrating on the latter.

Given the success of the “white wine-cassis” drink and the fact that more and more people were drinking it, very quickly the limitations of Dijon Cassis became clear. Dijon fruit-liqueur makers then understood that regulations were required in order that their know-how be protected.
Thus, in 1923 the Dijon Court of Appeal acknowledged their expertise in laying down that “Dijon Cassis” had to be made in the city of Dijon.
In 1925 the Court of Appeal’s decision was confirmed by the Court of Cassation.

In 1945, the election of Canon Kir, a legendary figure in French political life, as Mayor of Dijon helped Cassis de Dijon gain recognition. The Canon popularised ``vin blanc cassis`` (blackcurrant white wine), which has long been used for wine receptions at Dijon town hall.

Given the growing vogue for Dijon Cassis, more and more companies began producing cream of cassis. At that time about twenty or so firms were producing Dijon Cassis.

Claire and Vincent Briottet joined the family business.

The last four concrete vats dating back to the 1920s were dismantled and replaced with made-to-measure stainless steel vats.

Following several years of work, in 2012 Dijon Cassis was granted geographical indication status (published in the French Official Gazette in August 2013).
Geographical indication – or IG – is a European sign which came into being in 2008 as regards spirits. The sign provides a guarantee to consumers that one or more of a given product’s characteristics arise out of its geographical origin. The sign also ensures that the name “Dijon Cassis” is protected throughout the European Union.
As is the case for all products which carry marks relating to quality and origin, checks carried out by independent bodies enable it to be ensured that rules regarding the correct production area and the correct production particulars are complied with.

We received “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV)” label in 2018. It’s a mark of recognition of the French State, put in place to reward French firms for the excellence of their traditional and industrial know-how.
This label is delivered by the Minister of Economy and Finance for 5 years.

10 years ago, Claire and Vincent Briottet joined the company. They contributed to develop the range with Basil liqueur, Maratruffe (Brandy & Truffle), Tonka bean liqueur or with the Cassis “Mousse”. In 2018, they decided to redesign the old label of the classic bottle “70 cl”. 2020 will be the year for ecommerce development.