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L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Distillery - Aperitif Wine
Discover the island's oldest aperitif wine, Cap Corse L.N. Mattei Red or White, available throughout Corsica and at a number of outlets on the mainland and around the world. Cédratine, Myrttei, Gin Mattei, and Immortelle complete the famous distillery's range.
The Origins of Vin Mattei Cap Corse
Born on 12 June 1849 in Ersa at the northernmost tip of Cap Corse, Louis Napoléon Mattei put his initials to his region – Cap Corse – and in 1872 created the aperitif wine L.N. Mattei Cap Corse.
At the time, Cap Corse was one of the island's most densely populated regions, with a predominantly seafaring commercial activity. It was in this atmosphere of constantly moving merchant ships that Louis Napoléon Mattei developed a taste for trade and travel, which led him to take an interest in a Caribbean plant – cinchona – used to make the first aperitif drinks.
Quinquina: Both Wine and Medicine
Growing in latitudes close to the equator, this plant is best known for its medicinal properties. It is from its bark that quinine is extracted, a central ingredient in L.N. Mattei Cap Corse, which, along with other exotic plants, citron, and mistelle muscatel and vermentinu grapes, makes up the recipe for Cap Corse Mattei, available in red and white.
Exported All Over the World
Cap Mattei's tonic wine quickly became a worldwide success, winning more than 40 major prizes at the Universal Exhibitions in Paris in 1900, as well as in London, Brussels, and Tunis, and earning numerous gold medals that made its creator Louis Napoléon Mattei a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur and a Commandeur du Mérite Agricole.
In the company's archives, the ledger of customers from 1921 to 1924 lists customers from the four corners of the globe to the most remote destinations: Java, Sumatra, Port Saïd, Pointe-à-Pitre, Djibouti, Dakar, and Tananarive in Madagascar.
These distinctions and successes gave rise to numerous counterfeits, which were denounced and combated by the island brand through the registration of the Cap Corse trademark. Advertisements and posters warned of counterfeits, emphasizing the inimitability of the one and only Mattei Cap Corse.
Cap Mattei Through History in Pictures
Louis Napoléon Mattei was also a pioneer in communication. This is evidenced by the numerous posters for his precious cinchona drink, his derivative products bearing the effigy of his product, his branded cars, and the placement of his brand and products in cinema, notably in one of the films of Marcel Pagnol's famous trilogy, the film César, released in 1936.
Vintage Advertising Posters – L.N. Mattei
Cap Corse Mattei Brand Products
Cap Corse Mattei 
- Created in 1894
- As an aperitif or cocktail
- Alcohol Vol.: 17%
Still respecting its historic recipe today, "CAP MATTEI" is made from mistelle of Muscat & Vermentinu grape varieties obtained by adding alcohol to stop fermentation, blended with macerations of cinchona peel, Corsican citron, and a selection of local fruits, plants, and exotic spices.
An inimitable aperitif, the original recipe for Cap Corse Mattei is available in two versions, Cap Mattei Rouge and Cap Mattei Blanc. Cap Corse Mattei reveals a bitter-sweet profile with spicy notes.
Cap Corse "Grande Réserve" 
- Created in 1894
- As an aperitif or cocktail
- Alcohol Vol.: 17%
Cap Grande Réserve, specially developed for mixology and also available in "red" and "white" versions, is made with the same ingredients as the original recipe but is distinguished by a more pronounced bitter flavour profile and a higher alcohol content of 17%.
Cap Mattei Grande Réserve Rouge offers charming floral and bitter orange notes.
The "Blanc" incorporates macerations of Corsican citron, offering a complex range of aromas and a characteristic freshness.
Myrttei Blanche & Rouge 
Created by Louis Napoléon Mattei, the Myrttei Blanche and Myrttei Rouge liqueurs are made from a blend of distillates and wild myrtle berries that perfume the Corsican scrubland. These liqueurs exude the subtle fragrance that Emperor Bonaparte longed for.
- Created at the end of the 19th century
- As a digestif
- 30% alcohol by volume
Cédratine 30° - 50cl 
The oldest Corsican liqueur, Cédratine is made according to the original recipe of Louis Napoléon Mattei, using distillates of aromatic plants and a double distillation of the finest Corsican citrons. Cédratine has an exquisite aroma and taste that leaves the most pleasant scents on the palate. "Cédratine" is a registered trademark of L.N. MATTEI in Bastia.
Created in 1880
As a digestif
30% alcohol by volumeGin Mattei, Distilled Gin - 40° - 70cl 
Distilled Dry Gin is the result of distilling a selection of citrus fruits and aromatic plants from the island's scrubland. L.N Mattei Gin features a lovely juniper nose with light herbal touches, particularly of bay leaf and immortelle; on the palate, it is enriched with citrus notes from Corsican lemons and citrons.
40% alcohol by volume
Mattei, L’Immortel Distilled Gin - 43° - 50cl 
On the nose, juniper comes first, complemented by citrus notes and aromatic touches of marjoram, bay leaf, and fennel. On the palate, fresh citrus notes (Corsican citrons and lemons) blend with a subtle juniper aroma, supported by fennel seeds and the lightness of immortelle.
43% alcohol by volume
Limoncellu 
With this original creation, the L.N. Mattei Distillery remains true to its tradition of producing “recipe” liqueurs: more complex than a simple Limoncello and fresher than a citrus liqueur, Mattei Limoncellu is made by macerating Corsican lemon peels in alcohol. After this step, the maceration juice is mixed with sugar and water to create this sumptuous Limoncellu. This relatively simple process preserves the beautiful aromatic palette of these sun-drenched local fruits.
- Created in 2022
- As a digestif
- Alcohol content: 30%
Today, the Distillerie L.N. Mattei has retained its fundamentals: its famous cinchona aperitif, Cap Corse Mattei, and its historic recipe liqueurs, Cédratine and Myrttei, invented by Louis Napoléon Mattei.
In 2021, two gins joined the range: Distilled Dry Gin L.N. Mattei & L'Immortel. Distillerie L.N. Mattei also produces Mavela Liqueurs and Eaux de vies, as well as the P&M Whisky brand. After more than 150 years of history, the brand's philosophy has remained unchanged.
Where to Buy
The L.N. Mattei range of products is available in supermarkets, Corsican grocery shops, and numerous hotels, bars, and restaurants on the island, as well as in a number of countries around the world. The distillery's products are also available online at distilleriemattei.com.
The Concept Store, on Place Saint-Nicolas in Bastia, remains the brand's most loyal showcase and recounts the glory of Cap Mattei. Today, and since 2017, the distillery is based in Aléria on the grounds of Domaine Mavela, where all the products are made. Visits to the distillery are available by prior arrangement (by phone or directly on the website).
Address and Contacts : L.N. Mattei Cap Corse
| 04 95 56 60 30 | |
| Send an Email | |
| U Licettu, 20270 Aleria | |
| L.N. Mattei Cap Corse | |