Much more than a legend…
Legend has it that pineau des Charentes was the fruit of a happy accident.
Birth of pineau
During one harvest toward the end of the 16th century, a Charente winemaker accidentally poured grape must into a barrel containing cognac eau de vie. A few years later, he had the surprise of finding a delicious beverage inside that barrel. And pineau was born from that mistelle*!
* Grape must whose fermentation was arrested by the addition of alcohol.
Fortified wine
Pineau des Charentes is a liqueur wine with its own AOC (“controlled designation of origin”). It is produced in the delimited cognac region. It is a fortified wine (grape must with cognac only added to it).
Pineau blanc, pineau rosé and pineau des Charentes
To qualify for the Pineau des Charentes AOC, the following requirements must be met:
– the grape must and the fortifying eau de vie have to come from the same property
– the pineau des Charentes has to be bottled in the region where it was produced. There is a wide range of pineaux for a variety of taste palates, because each producer makes their own pineau.
Pineau des Charentes is aged in oak barrels for at least:
• 12 month for pineau blanc
• 8 months for pineau rosé
• 5 years for vieux pineau
• 10 years for très vieux or extra vieux pineau.
Pineau des Charentes is a natural aperitif which is enjoyed chilled without ice but with moderation! It makes for a delicious accompaniment to melon, foie gras and more.