Pineau des Charentes is a Sweet and reasonably strong "Vin de Liqueur" from the Charente (Cognac) region of western France. It is made by adding Cognac brandy from the previous year's distillation (or earlier) to fresh Grape must from the current Vintage. By law, the must must be freshly harvested and, although it may have undergone partial Fermentation, its sugar content at the time of "Mutage" (when the brandy is added) must be greater than 170 g per litre. The Cognac itself must have an Alcohol content of at least 60 % and must have been kept in casks before being used.
The resulting blend has an alcoholic strength of 16-22 % and a sugar content of at least 125 g/l. Any fermentation will have been stopped by the high alcohol content and, as the must remains essentially unfermented, it retains all its "grape" aromas and - ideally - the Varietal characteristics of the grapes used, which develop over time. All Pineau des Charentes is cellar-aged, although this varies according to the type of Pineau produced. White pineau - the most common - must spend at least 18 months in the cellar, 12 months of which are spent in oak barrels.
Montils blanc is a grape variety that originated in France (Charente). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. It should be noted that this grape variety can also be used for the elaboration of eaux de vie. This variety of vine is characterized by bunches of medium size, and grapes of medium size. Montils blanc can be found in several vineyards: South-West, Cognac, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Provence & Corsica, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais.
wines from the region of Pineau des Charentes go well with generally quite well with dishes of rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), shellfish or sweet desserts such as recipes of salmon lasagna, shrimp in coconut milk or express cherry clafoutis.
