Pineau des Charentes

A tipple with a kick

According to wine-making folklore, in 1589, a winemaker accidentally added grape must into a barrel that he thought was empty. In fact it contained eau de vie. The mixture was duly returned to the cellars for fermentation. A few years later, the barrel was retrieved and was found to contain the drink that is now associated with Charente.

Pineau des Charentes is available throughout France, but is less well-known away from Poitou-Charentes region. It is a fortified wine, made from a mix of lightly fermented grapes and cognac. In taste, it is not unlike a fine Madeiran wine, or a high quality light sherry, but it is very distinctive on the palate, and very more-ish. Because of the cognac content, Pineau is a little stronger than conventional wine, and is available commercially at around 17%. The most common form of pineau des Charentes is white, made from white grapes such as Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche. White pineau is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months. However the red or rosé form is also very popular within the region itself. This is made with red grapes, typically Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Red pineau is aged for a minimum of 14 months.

The annual production of pineau is huge, almost 15 million litres, with about 80% of that being made in Charente-Maritime. Production is controlled under the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée 'vin de liqueur' classification, though it is not a wine in the conventional sense.

In practice, it is often the case that the same producer grows the grapes, makes the wine and distills it into brandy, presses the fresh grape juice and then blends and matures the result. The geographical zone authorised for the production of Pineau des Charentes AOC is virtually identical with that for cognac, and many of the artisanal producers of pineau also sell their own cognac. Arguably the finest, matured for 5 or 10 years, comes from the Chateau de Beaulon, which also makes a legendary cognac.

Where to buy Pineau des Charentes

Pineau can be found in local supermarkets in Poitou-Charentes as well as in local cellars and wine shops. However, one of the most enjoyable ways of buying pineau is to visit one of the many small producers of the drink in the Charente and Charente-Maritime.

How to drink pineau des Charentes

White pineau is most usually consumed as an aperitif, served chilled at between 8°C and 10°C. But it can also be served with food too, and goes very well with poultry, fish, seafood and blue cheese. Red pineau is usually served as an aperitif, and goes well with game dishes, soft cheeses, fruit and chocolate puddings.