In the world of wine, innovation increasingly takes shape through the hybridization of languages. With the new Chandon Spritz Collection, the Maison opens a chapter that goes beyond the distinction between enology and mixology, bringing to market a line of ready‑to‑serve cocktails built from wine. A project that fits squarely within Chandon’s trajectory, which began in 1959 with the ambition of expanding the culture of sparkling wine beyond the borders of Champagne, developing vineyards and expertise in territories such as Argentina, California, Brazil, Australia, China and India. A vision that today finds a new expression, capable of engaging with contemporary consumption habits.
Rewriting the Spritz, the Chandon way
The collection consists of three labels, designed to offer different experiences in terms of intensity and aromatic profile.
Orange Peel & Spices, with an alcohol content of 11.5%, represents the most structured and complex expression, built on a balance between citrus notes and a subtle bitter component that recalls the classic aperitivo ritual.
Alongside it are two lighter and more contemporary interpretations, both at 6% alcohol: Berries & Hibiscus, with a fruity and floral profile, and Lemon & Verbena, more taut and citrus‑driven, defined by vibrant, immediate freshness.
The common thread remains the desire to offer a ready‑to‑serve Spritz without sacrificing aromatic depth or the quality of the wine base.
An all‑female creative dialogue
At the core of the collection lies a collaborative effort that brings together different yet complementary skills. The project was developed by Ana Paula Bartolucci, Cellar Master of Chandon Argentina, Pauline Lhote, Director of Oenology and Vineyards at Chandon California, and mixologist Inés de los Santos.
An all‑female team that built the project around a shared vision: transforming wine into an open language capable of dialoguing with mixology without losing its identity.
The journey also stems from a desire to reinterpret a classic. “As the original creator of Chandon Spritz Orange, I have a strong appreciation for the bittersweet union that makes a great sparkling cocktail. The Spritz has so much joyful potential, and I had an itch to revisit this beloved drink. I’m thrilled with the delicious new takes Pauline and I have created”, Bartolucci explains.
Six Years of Research and 179 Trials
The Chandon Spritz Collection is the result of long and meticulous work: six years of research and 179 tested formulations to achieve a precise balance between freshness, structure and aromatic complexity.
The base is created in Mendoza, an altitude terroir capable of guaranteeing acidity, ripeness and expressive precision. This is paired with work on botanical macerations, obtained through slow extractions from natural ingredients such as organic citrus fruits, Patagonian red berries, hibiscus, verbena and spices.
A distinctive element concerns the low‑alcohol versions, which do not involve any dealcoholization process. The solution is entirely enological, based on a targeted selection of Moscato grapes naturally low in sugar and on a carefully interrupted fermentation.
“We created new cocktails without using any dealcoholization process, thanks to the selection of Moscato grapes naturally low in sugar and harvested early in the season. We then stopped the fermentation of the musts in our tanks once they reached an alcohol level of 5.5% and a residual sugar of 57 g/L. By combining these bases with natural aroma macerations, we obtain Spritz at 6% alcohol,” Bartolucci explains.
Chandon Spritz Collection: Three Identities, Three Moments of Consumption
Each Spritz in the collection is conceived as a standalone experience, designed to suit different contexts.
Orange Peel & Spices is built on a base of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sémillon, enriched with macerations of organic orange peels and spices, resulting in a more structured bittersweet profile, ideal for aperitivo and pairings such as carpaccio, sushi and spicy dishes.
Lemon & Verbena, made from early‑harvested Moscato grapes, stands out for its bright, dynamic profile, where citrus freshness intertwines with vegetal and spicy aromatic notes, making it perfect for informal, convivial moments.
Berries & Hibiscus completes the trio with a softer, more enveloping expression, built on raspberries, blackcurrant and hibiscus, delivering an aromatic and floral result also suited to lighter end‑of‑meal moments.
Behind this aromatic construction lies a declared creative approach. “I have a huge amount of experience crafting our award-winning sparkling wines, but anyone who works for Chandon tends to have an urge to shake things up every so often. There’s nothing Ana Paula and I love more than playing with established rules and categories. Time to get the wizard hat on!” notes Pauline Lhote.
Ready‑to‑Serve: The Luxury of Simplicity
The concept is essential: eliminate preparation complexity without sacrificing quality. Chandon Spritz cocktails are designed to be simply poured over ice, with a fresh garnish, while maintaining a precise and recognizable identity.
This is where mixology fully enters the project.
“Mixology is my life and it’s a lot of fun, but there’s a place for a delicious ready-to-serve aromatic cocktail like the three in the CHANDON Spritz collection in any great home bar. This trio takes the Spritz to another level. At heart, mixology is about creating something magic that’s more than the sum of its parts – in other words, alchemy. That’s what these three do”, explains Inés de los Santos.
With this collection, Chandon does not simply introduce a new product, but redefines the boundaries of sparkling wine. Wine becomes base, language and structure of a broader experience, capable of engaging with contemporary conviviality.
“Everybody loves a Spritz, but Chandon lovers are curious explorers by nature. Hence our collection of three new Spritzes: a delicious, joyful trio, carefully crafted to bring summer to your glass at any time of year and designed to be enjoyed impromptu in the company of good friends,” concludes Arnaud de Saignes.
Chandon Spritz Collection: Availability and Pricing
Chandon Spritz Orange Peel & Spices is already available in Europe at wine shops, bars and restaurants. The Lemon & Verbena and Berries & Hibiscus versions will be previewed in France during the Roland‑Garros tournament, as well as through online sales channels.
Indicative retail price is around €19.90 in wine shops, while in restaurants it ranges between €12 and €13 per glass and €49 to €59 per bottle.
