The story
White wine with a splash of crème de cassis was a Burgundy café habit known as blanc-cassis from the 1800s, after Dijon producers began selling the blackcurrant liqueur in 1841. It got its modern name from Félix Kir, a Catholic priest and Resistance figure who became mayor of Dijon in 1945. A champion of town twinning, Kir poured the drink at receptions for visiting delegations, promoting two regional products at once. One story says he favoured white Aligoté because the occupying Germans had taken the red Burgundy. Kir let a Dijon cassis maker use his name, then its rivals too, and the kir spread throughout France.
Rival claims
The mix existed before as 'blanc-cassis' across the region; Kir popularised it and gave it his name.
Also known as blanc-cassis, vin blanc cassis, kir royale.
On the Meridish menu
Kir was the aperitif course on menu No. 13 on October 13, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
Dry white wine with a splash of blackcurrant liqueur. It's named after a priest and Resistance hero who became mayor here and poured it for visiting delegations.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
