Pronounced "pee-NOH day shah-RAHNT". This stuff is delicious. I recently discovered it at a new Portland wine bar on Mississippi Ave, Lupa.
This particular Pineau Des Charentes was the "Blanc" version, from Maison Prunier (great website eh?), an independent family producer know more for his excellent brandies.
The Tasting Note: Slightly oxidized aromas of hazel nuts, honey, and apricots. The wine is certainly sweet, but the high acidity cuts it nicely (it's not too BIG). Because of this, you may choose to have Pineau as an aperitif rather than for dessert. The finish leads into popcorn flavors, while maintaining the peachy fruits. I later discovered that slightly drier (less sweet) Pineaux are very nice when chilled (think elegant back yard bbq's on a hot summer day). This one is on the sweeter side of things so try it either way and decide for yourself.
If you get a bottle, resist the urge to drink the whole thing at once. Like Port and other dessert wines, Pineau can last a week or so after opening. But you may just say, "No, I'm drinking the whole thing NOW." And that's okay, because this stuff is addictive and delicious. In Portland, you can pick up a bottle for $13 - $15.
Find it at these stores:
http://www.lupawine.com/
http://www.linerandelsen.com/
This particular Pineau Des Charentes was the "Blanc" version, from Maison Prunier (great website eh?), an independent family producer know more for his excellent brandies.
The Tasting Note: Slightly oxidized aromas of hazel nuts, honey, and apricots. The wine is certainly sweet, but the high acidity cuts it nicely (it's not too BIG). Because of this, you may choose to have Pineau as an aperitif rather than for dessert. The finish leads into popcorn flavors, while maintaining the peachy fruits. I later discovered that slightly drier (less sweet) Pineaux are very nice when chilled (think elegant back yard bbq's on a hot summer day). This one is on the sweeter side of things so try it either way and decide for yourself.
If you get a bottle, resist the urge to drink the whole thing at once. Like Port and other dessert wines, Pineau can last a week or so after opening. But you may just say, "No, I'm drinking the whole thing NOW." And that's okay, because this stuff is addictive and delicious. In Portland, you can pick up a bottle for $13 - $15.
Find it at these stores:
http://www.lupawine.com/
http://www.linerandelsen.com/
[What is Pineau Des Charantes? Well, since you asked....It's a style of Vin De Liqueur from France's Cognac Region. The Vin De Liqueur term simply means that the drink is made from unfermented grape juice and at least one year-old cognac, and will usually have an alcohol level between 16 - 18%. The mixture must be aged in cask until at least the July following the harvest. The grape juice is made from the local varieties of the Cognac region, ugni blanc and columbard. Pineau Des Charentes is a certified AOC (appellation d'origine controlee) meaning that there are appellational laws as to how this stuff is made. One of the interesting laws is that the grape juice and the cognac must come from the same estate. There are a number of Pineau Des Charentes producers ( I counted at least 31), and I plan on providing future tasting notes on as many as I can get my hands on.]
