What is similar to Pineau des Charentes?

Elsewhere in France analogous drinks are made (Macvin in Jura, Floc de Gascogne in the Armagnac area; there is also Pommeau, similarly made by blending apple juice and apple brandy), but these products are much less well known nationally and internationally than Pineau.

How do you make Pineau des Charentes?

Pineau des Charentes is a vin de liqueur, or fortified wine, which is made by blending around a quarter of Cognac with three quarters of grape must or freshly squeeze grape juice. It can come as a white, red or rosé, has an alcohol content of around 17% and is categorised by age in a similar fashion to Cognac.

What is Vieux Pineau des Charentes?

Pineau des Charentes is a sweet, reasonly strong “Vin de Liqueur” of the Charentais (Cognac) region of western France. To earn the right to be labeled as “vieux” (old), the wines must spend five years or more in oak; the oldest of all are “tres vieux”, which require a full 10 years in barrel.

What do you serve with Pineau des Charentes?

Drinking Pineau des Charentes However, it is frequently served with food as it is regarded by some as being a perfect accompaniment to foie gras, fish, seafood, poultry and cheese. Red pineau, much like with red wine in general, is often served with meat dishes, soft cheeses and sometimes even desserts.

What does Pineau des Charentes taste like?

The fresh, sweet Pineau des Charentes comes from the same oceanic regions as Cognac. She poured a taste of this amber-hued beverage, which smelled like Cognac but without the burn. It was sweet but clean, with fresh flavors of grape juice meeting toasted wood and, for lack of a better description, a drop of brandy.

Is Pineau de Charentes sweet?

It’s sweet, but in a natural, juicy way, with a strong vanilla-fruit character. Our favorite is made by Pierre Ferrand, one of the area’s best Cognac producers. Their Pineau des Charentes is vibrant and fruity, and, as it spends twelve months in oak, has a beautiful barrel-aged character.

Do you chill Pineau des Charentes?

While it is tempting to drink Pineau des Charentes round the clock, it’s best to limit consumption, as the French do, serving it as a chilled apéritif or with pudding. Drink it chilled or poured over ice.

Is Pineau similar to sherry?

The technical name for this style of beverage is vin de liqueur, which is around the same alcoholic strength as Sherry or Port – between 16 and 22% ABV, with most Pineau des Charentes being about 17% ABV – but with a more purely grapey character.

How long can you keep Pineau des Charentes?

The wines used to make Pineau des Charentes are aged, in barrels, for between one-and-a-half to three years with exceptional wines aging for five or ten years or even longer.

Does Pineau des Charentes go bad?

The aging of Pineau. The wines used to make Pineau des Charentes are aged, in barrels, for between one-and-a-half to three years with exceptional wines aging for five or ten years or even longer.

What do you add to Pineau des Charentes?

Instructions: In a Champagne flute, combine 1 ounce of Pineau des Charentes and 4 ounces of sparkling wine. Garnish with a long lemon peel. Since Pineau des Charentes is a blend of local grape juice and Cognac, we had a brilliant idea—add more Cognac. Plus a little honey to balance out the extra booze.

How is Pineau des Charentes similar to Cognac?

Like Cognac, the production of Pineau is governed by a standards body – The Comite National Du Pineau des Charentes that established in 1945 Pineau des Charentes as an appellation d’origine contrôlée product. Pineau is produced in white, rose and red versions.

What kind of grapes are used to make Pineau?

Pineau is produced in white, rose and red versions. The grapes used in producing white Pineau are essentially the sames as those used in producing Cognac, mostly Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche. The grapes used in producing red and rose Pineau are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.