Mead from the Abbey of Sainte Marie du Désert
Predating wine, mead—dubbed “drink of the gods”—is probably the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world. Considered the divine liqueur of the inhabitants of Olympus in Greek mythology, mead is a drink made only with water and honey. Fermented with alcoholic yeasts carefully selected by the Cistercian monks of the French abbey of Sainte Marie du Désert, it is their main source of income. A large apiary at the abbey allows the artisanal manufacture of honey and sweets, which are very popular among gourmets. Mead is served very cold as an aperitif and as a digestive.
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