Pineau des Charentes

Introduction

Pineau des Charentes is a regional French aperitif, made in the departments of Charente, Charente-Maritime and, to a lesser extent, Dordogne in western France. It is a fortified wine (mistelle or vin de liqueur), made from either fresh, unfermented grape juice or a blend of lightly fermented grape must, to which a Cognac eau-de-vie is added, then matured.

History

The creation of Pineau des Charentes is attributed to a winemaker who accidentally added grape must into a barrel believed to contain eau-de-vie. This mistake was not discovered until several years later, which allowed the mixture to age into a drinkable elixir. The first official mention of Pineau des Charentes dates back to the 16th century and it has been recognized as an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) since 1945.

Production

The process of making Pineau des Charentes is two-fold. First, freshly harvested grapes are pressed to extract the juice. Then, before fermentation can begin, a measure of Cognac eau-de-vie is added to the must, arresting the fermentation process. This mixture is then placed into oak barrels and left to age for a minimum of 18 months, including 12 months in oak barrels.

Varieties

There are three main varieties of Pineau des Charentes: white, rosé, and red. The white variety is the most popular and is made from the same grape varieties as the region's white wines, including Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. The rosé and red varieties are made from the Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes.

Serving

Pineau des Charentes is typically served chilled, at 8-10°C. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal, or as a dessert wine. It also pairs well with cheese, melon, and seafood.

See Also

• Cognac
• Fortified wine
• Appellation d'origine contrôlée

References

• The Oxford Companion to Wine. Oxford University Press, 2015.
• The World Atlas of Wine. Mitchell Beazley, 2019.

External Links

• Official website of the Pineau des Charentes producers' association