Pineau des Charentes Pineau Blanc

More than 300 years ago, when distillation began in the Cognac region, a winegrower poured freshly pressed grape juice into what he thought was an empty barrel. But there was still a little Cognac left in the barrel, which stopped the must from fermenting, clarified it and freed it of impurities. When the winegrower opened the barrel a few months later, its contents had changed remarkably: inside was a fruity, fresh fortified wine, in which the taste of ripe grapes combined with the aroma of old Cognac.

Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine with Appellation Contrôlée status, either white or rosé depending on the grape variety. Like other French quality wines, it is therefore subject to strict regulations governing the boundaries of the production area, permitted grape varieties, maximum yield per hectare, minimum alcohol content and winemaking methods. The first regulations date from 1935 and were revised in 1972.

Pineau des Charentes may only be produced within the legally defined Cognac region, from fresh grape juice of certain grape varieties and from Cognac, made while the grapes are still being harvested. The use of preserved, concentrated, filtered or sulphured must is prohibited. The juice must be pressed from well-ripened grapes and have a natural sugar content of at least 170 grams per litre. Fermentation of the must is stopped by adding Cognac at least one year old and 60% strength. All of this takes place in oak casks, in which the wine must mature for at least twelve months.

Serving suggestion

Pineau des Charentes cuts a fine figure as an aperitif, digestif, or as a way to refine a wide variety of dishes.

Wine details