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As a legend
has it, PINEAU is not only the fruit of the vine, but also
the product of a fortunate accident.
In the
16th Century, a wine maker mistakenly poured some grape juice
into a cask of cognac. Furious at his blunder, he put the
useless cask into a corner of his storehouse and forgot about
it. It was a few years later, when the grape harvest was particularly
abundant, that he suddenly needed his forgotten cask. Imagine
his suprise when pouring out the contains. He discovered a
marvellous, clear liquid, that lasted of the fruit and the
sunshine that blesses the Charentes…
Pineau
des Charentes was a bom, an accident, no more…
And now,
four centuries later, the wine-maker of the Charentes conscientiously
repeats the same ‘error’ year after year. Passed
from generation to generation, this savoir-faire has remained
intact, with constant care given to attaining a remarkable
drink.
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Altough
Pineau itself is unique, there are two styles of Pineau des
Charentes — WHITE and ROSE. Their difference comes from
the variety of wines cultivated. White Pineau comes from renowned
' white ' vine types, mainly Ugni Blanc, commonly called Saint-Emillion
of the Charentes, as well as Folle Blanche and Colombard.
Pineau
Rosé, which is fruitier than Pineau blanc, comes from
the ' red ' vine types, such as Cabernet and Merlot.
Both types
are available in bottles of 75cl.
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