Drouet Pineau des Charentes White

Pineau des Charentes Blanc

Pineau is a “vin de liqueur”, a sweet fortified French wine which has been blended with Cognac. It is the lesser known product to come out of the Charentes region and its birth was completely accidental. In the sixteenth century, a winemaker mistakenly added grape must to a barrel containing Cognac. This resulted in producing what is today a very popular liqueur in the Cognac region.

Drouet uses traditional methods to grow its vines and harvests its grapes in the middle of September. Its Pineau Blanc is produced using Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes from the superior region of Grande Champagne. The House fortifies unfermented grape must with Cognac and then allows it to age for around five years in French oak barrels before bottling.

Drouet’s Pineau bottlings are between 25 and 30 years old as Patrick, the current owner and cellar master, developed them starting in 1987 hence their vinification approach has evolved over the years. In fact, these Pineaux are so original that they have often failed in receiving consent from official tasting panels as they do not ‘fit the mold’.

Presentation of the bottle:

This unique sweet liqueur comes in a gilt edged bottle, representative of its terroir.

How to enjoy:

House Drouet recommends its Pineau Blanc be served cold as an aperitif or used in gourmet Charente recipes such as mussels in pineau or pear gratin with pineau.

Awards:

Gold medal - Concours Général Agricole de Paris - 2020

Gold medal - Concours International de Lyon - 2020

3/3 stars - Guide Hachette Selection - 2019

Gold medal - Concours Général Agricole de Paris - 2018

Gold medal - Concours des saveurs régionales poitou-charentes - 2017