Martin Pouret Orléans Vinegar Edition Élysée 10 Years Aged

Tasting Notes of the Curator

This vinegar opens with extraordinary poise. The aroma is deep and integrated, carrying notes of mature wine, polished oak, and gentle oxidative warmth that speak unmistakably of time. On the palate, acidity is no longer a sharp sensation but a structural element—broad, calm, and seamlessly woven into the whole. There are hints of nuttiness, aged grape, and savory depth, with a finish that lingers quietly and persistently. The texture is smooth and rounded, almost satin-like, the result of ten years of slow evolution in oak barrels. Nothing here rushes. Every element feels settled, resolved, and intentional. This is vinegar at its most refined—used not to brighten, but to give dishes length, gravity, and definition.

Pairings and Suggestions

This is a finishing vinegar, to be used with restraint and confidence.

Add a few drops to jus, reductions, or demi-glace, where depth matters more than brightness.

Deglaze pans after roasting duck, game, or beef, lifting fond without stripping richness.

Enhance lentils, mushrooms, and slow-braised vegetables, where umami and acidity meet.

Use sparingly in warm vinaigrettes for bitter greens or roasted roots.

Best suited for professional kitchens or experienced home cooks who understand precision.

The Élysée Designation

The Élysée cuvée reflects Martin-Pouret’s long-standing reputation at the highest levels of French gastronomy. The house has historically been associated with state-level kitchens and formal dining, and this vinegar embodies the standards such contexts demand: balance, discretion, and depth over impact. Ten years of aging is an exceptional commitment in vinegar making, requiring space, time, and continuous care. In the Orléans method, this extended aging allows acidity to mellow into structure, shaped by oak and air rather than force. The result is not spectacle, but authority—a vinegar that speaks softly and carries immense weight.

Storage Instructions

Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. No refrigeration required. Reseal tightly after use.