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Pinot de Charente or simply Pinot is an aperitif produced in the south of France in the departments of Charente, Charente-Maritime and, to a lesser extent, Dordogne. The drink is quite popular in its region, and is almost unknown outside it, especially abroad.
Pinot de Charentes belongs to the category of misteles – fortified wines. This term in France means a drink obtained from unfermented (not fermented) or partially fermented grape juice with the addition of grape spirit.
To get mistelle, the winemaker starts the fermentation of the juice, but then adds alcohol to it to stop the fermentation. So the drink retains almost all the sugar. Sometimes Pinot may include fully fermented must and alcohol, at the discretion of the producer.
Pinot de Charentes is not a trade mark or a brand, it is a type of regional alcohol. It is often produced even at home, adding spruce cones or fruits for flavor.
History
According to legend, at the end of the XNUMXth century, a winemaker, having harvested, accidentally poured grape must into a barrel of alcohol. Not noticing the mistake, he sent the drink to the cellar to undergo a normal fermentation. When the barrel was removed, instead of the usual wine, it contained a strong and sweet alcohol, known today as Pinot de Charentes.
Initially, the drink was served at weddings and other festive events, but over time it entered everyday life. The first commercial samples appeared in 1921. In 1935, the Pinot appellation stood out, and in 1945 the drink received the status of a name controlled by origin.
Views of Pino de Charente
Pinot white wine is made from varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Volle Blanche, Colombard, sometimes Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Montil. The mixture of juice and alcohol is aged for at least 18 months, at least 8 of which are in oak barrels. Ready aperitif has a strength of 16-22%, rich golden color and sweet taste.
For red and pink Pinot take Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. This wine is aged for at least 14 months, 8 of which are in oak barrels. The strength of red Pinot does not differ from the white counterpart, the color is red-brown or dark pink.
Some winemakers age the drink in oak for much longer. After 5 years of aging it is called Vieux Pineau (old Pinot), after 10 – Tres Vieux Pineau (very old Pinot).
Production technology
The annual production of Pinot de Charentes is about 14 million liters, with 80% of them coming from the Charente-Maritime department. Despite the fact that technically this aperitif is not considered a wine, the region of its production is separated into a separate appellation, and the drink itself is a name protected by origin.
It is important that both grape spirit (brandy) and grape juice or must be made by the same manufacturer from the same grapes.
The AOC Pinot de Charente is almost identical to the AOC Cognac, which is why many aperitif producers produce cognac as well.
The age of brandy is not regulated in any way, it can be both young and aged, but the juice must certainly be fresh, and not just this year’s harvest, but literally freshly squeezed.
How to drink Pinot de Charentes
Already bottled Pinot is not recommended to be stored for a long time, as such exposure is not good for him. An open bottle can be kept in the refrigerator for several days.
Pinot de Charente is served chilled to 8-10 degrees in tulip glasses, just like sherry. Most often it is drunk before meals, for a better appetite.
Old and Very Old Pinot can be served at room temperature, after a meal, as a digestif.
Cocktails
- Lady Bee. Put a teaspoon of honey in a glass, add the juice of a quarter of a lemon, stir and wait until the honey becomes liquid. Pour ice cubes, add dry white wine and white Pinot in a ratio of 1:2. Can be diluted with soda to taste. Serve with thyme sprig and lemon wedge.
- Angel Side. In an ice-filled shaker, combine 2 parts Old or Very Old White Pinot, 4 parts cognac, 2.5 parts lime juice, and ½ part sugar syrup. Serve with a lime wedge.
- Ça Pineauty! In an ice-filled shaker, mix 4.5 parts red Pinot, 1.5 parts cognac, 2.5 parts lime juice, 2 parts pineapple syrup, 1 part Benedectin liqueur, 3 drops of Angostura, you can also add soda to taste. Serve in a highball glass with a lime quarter and a cocktail cherry.