AOC Pineau des Charentes wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

A.O.C./A.O.P.

Pineau des Charentes is produced in both Charente departments, in the same area as Cognac. It is actually a blend of fresh grape juice and Cognac (mistelle). Once the fruit is pressed, the juice is left for 24 hours in tanks before oak-aged Cognac is added to arrest fermentation. Pineau then matures in oak barrels for at least 1 year before being bottled. These liqueur wines are made from Ugni blanc, Colombard, Folle blanche, Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot. To warrant the appellation, Pineau must comply with stringent regulations. The Cognac must come from the same farm as the fresh grapes and must have an ABV of at least 60%. The resultant Pineau has an ABV of between 16 and 22%.

Grape varieties: Vins de liqueur : ugni blanc, colombard, folle blanche, cabernet, malbec, merlot

The wines of this appellation

Pineau des Charentes can be either white or rosé. The whites display an amber-yellow colour with golden tints. They are fat, round and aromatic with great length on the palate: dried fruit (walnuts, almonds), honey, quince paste and often slightly oxidised notes, of varying intensity. The rosés display a crimson hue with brick-red tints. They are delicate and extremely fruity, both on the nose and on the palate: red and black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry). The whites and the rosés can be savoured as appetisers, or partnered with foie gras, fruit-based desserts (melon, tarts, fruit salad) or chocolate.