G'Vine Floraison is one of those gins that genuinely made me rethink what the category could be. At 40% ABV and priced at £36.50, it sits in that sweet spot where you're paying for genuine craft without venturing into collector territory — and I think that's exactly where a gin like this belongs.
A Grape-Based Spirit With Real Ambition
What sets G'Vine apart from the crowd is its base spirit. Rather than the neutral grain spirit you'll find underpinning most London Drys, Floraison is built on ugni blanc grape spirit — the same variety used in Cognac production. This isn't just a marketing flourish; it fundamentally changes the texture and character of the gin. Grape spirit tends to carry a natural softness and a subtle roundness that grain simply doesn't offer, and it gives the distiller a different canvas to work with entirely.
The 'Floraison' name refers to the brief flowering of the vine, and that floral intention runs through the entire concept. GVine have clearly set out to create something that celebrates delicacy and elegance over juniper-forward punch. It's a philosophy I respect — not every gin needs to hit you over the head with pine and pepper.
Best Served
This is a gin that sings in a French 75. The grape-spirit base gives it a natural affinity with champagne, and the floral character lifts beautifully with fresh lemon juice and a touch of sugar syrup. Shake the gin, lemon, and syrup hard over ice, strain into a flute, and top with good champagne. Garnish with a single lemon twist, expressed over the surface. It's elegant, celebratory, and lets Floraison do exactly what it was designed to do.
