Tag: Pineau des Charentes

The festive season is a time to celebrate, and what better way to toast the holidays than with a glass of Bertrand Pineau des Charentes Rosé? This lesser-known fortified wine from France’s Cognac region is a hidden gem, offering an elegant and unique drinking experience. But what exactly is Pineau des Charentes, and why does it deserve a place at your Christmas table? What is Pineau des Charentes? Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine made by blending freshly pressed grape juice with young Cognac eau-de-vie. This mixture is then aged in oak barrels for several years, allowing the flavours… Read more

Pineau des Charentes is a combination of freshly pressed grape juice and cognac. It comes in two colours, white and red (sometimes known as rosé) and as with cognac, the flavour is affected by its age.  Young Pineau is fruity and light whilst older Pineau offers more complex and concentrated flavours with distinctive fresh fruit tones morphing into dried fruit and nuts.  Produced exclusively in France’s Cognac region, it has been protected under AOC status since 1945.  As a result, this spirited wine benefits from the long-standing expertise and historical know-how of Cognac cellar-masters.  It is unique with its aromatic… Read more

This summer, the Pineau des Charentes Committee launched its first marketing campaign in the US.  Americans, already enjoy the truly craft, French cognac so are expected to embrace this little-known relative.  Pineau des Charentes is produced exclusively in the French Charentes region and gained the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée status in 1945.  There are now about 500 producers. Pineau is made by adding freshly pressed grapes to newly distilled cognac eau-de-vie, at a ratio of about 3:1.  It must be aged in oak for at least a year and can be white or rosé.   Some producers, such as Chateau de… Read more

New to our shelves for the summer is Chateau de Beaulon’s vintage, white Pineau des Charentes 2000. Wonderfully delicious and rich, it was aged in casks previously used for the famous Chateau d’Yquem white Sauterne. Perfect for a summer’s evening.

Many of us travel to France in the summer holidays and diligently search out local products which are unique to the area we are visiting and Pineau des Charentes, with its rich and often sweet properties, is perhaps the one which interests us most.  We ask “what is it?” and the answer “Pineau” does nothing to reassure us.  We ask, “is it a wine or a brandy?”, ”is it like a sherry or a port?” and the answer still comes back, “Pineau”! Pineau is unique as indeed sherry or port are in their respective countries.  It is a combination of… Read more

Sitting outside on a warm, balmy evening is the perfect time to try Pineau des Charentes. Made in the cognac producing region of France, newly distilled eau de vie is mixed with grape juice before being aged. The result is a wonderfully fresh, fruity flavour and with an abv of 17 – 18%, it is perfect for every occasion. Serve cold as an aperitif, or a dessert wine, or if you’re looking for a longer drink, it is the ideal base for a summer cocktail – try our Pineau Royale recipe for something truly sumptuous. Most of our wonderful selection… Read more