A New Smooth French Dessert Wine: Chateau de Montifaud, Vieux Pineau des Charentes blanc

From the Cognac region of France, there’s a fortified drink that’s now becoming famous: Pineau des Charentes. It’s made with the same grapes as Cognac. But the grape juice is unfermented (or lightly fermented) when it’s added to an eau-de-vie of Cognac, yielding fruitiness, complexity and lightness. It’s smooth, easy to sip.

This Pineau is made by the Cognac-producing Vallet Family, now in its sixth generation of production at Chateau de Montifaud. It is a blend of equal parts colombard and ugni blanc. Grape juice is added to 25% eau-de-vie de Cognac, and aged in wood for over five years to attain the “Vieux” category.

When I was first introduced to Pineau des Charentes it was little known outside the region. It was presented as an aperitif, sort of like a poor man’s Cognac. Now, the labels on the exported Pineau des Charentes tell us it is a dessert wine.

For dessert, especially in the fall, apple, pear and old-wood foresty notes pair beautifully with nutty desserts like pecan pie.

Today, Pineau des Charentes is also being used in all sorts of cocktails, everything from an iced “Snowman Mojito” to a warmed “Hot Toddy.”

And don’t hesitate to sip it as an aperitif year-round, chilled or even over ice.

 

WHO: Chateau de Montifaud

WHAT: 50%olombard, 50% ugni blanc

WHERE: Cognac, France

HOW MUCH: $36