Cantillon Don Quijote
Description
Cantillon Don Quijote is a grape lambic from 2008 made with Italian table grapes. This beer was produced for Franco Fratoni (Livingstone Club, Florence, IT) and Umberto Xebeche Santi (Goblin Pub, Pavullo Nel Frignano, Italy).
History / Other Notes
The label indicates that 120 bottles were made for each location, however most of the bottles are unlabeled, and many of those that are labeled are unnumbered. The numbered bottles include either a letter after the number (e.g. "70L" or "70G"). The L/G indicates whether it was for the Goblin Pub or Livingstone Club. At least two kegs were also filled for the Goblin Pub.
Unsubstantiated Stories
There are a variety of unknowns related to this beer:
- Online beer sites often indicate that this beer is made with Vitis Labrusca (Fox or Concorde) Grapes. This is an American grape variety and while they do grow in Europe, it's not clear if that is the grape that was actually used).
- A second Don Quijote batch of this is purportedly in barrels at Cantillon. No details about this batch are currently known, including what grape variety was used.
- Table grapes from Itally are not permitted for use in wine and apparently cannot be exported. The origins of the grapes used in Don Quijote are unclear.
- There is a photograph of a different, white label Don Quijote bottle that is occasionally posted. All photos of this label appear to come from the same bottle and the legitimacy of this label cannot be confirmed. It is possibly something homemade or produced in small quantities, particularly since Umberto's Don Quijote bottles were apparently never labeled.
If you have any additional information about this beer, please contact Bill or Adam.
Bottle Log
| Bottle date
(mm/dd/yyyy) |
Cork Date | Bottle Size | Label / Notes | Image Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/20/2008 | 2008 | 750mL | N/A | |
| N/A | 2008 | 375mL | N/A |
References
