Pinot de Charentes ( French: Pineau des Charentes ), (or simply Pinot ) is a fortified wine produced in the departments of Charente , Charente Maritime and, least likely, Dordogne , in the west of France. Despite its popularity within the field of production, it is less known in other regions of France and abroad. Pinot is obtained as a result of blending brandy alcohol and unfermented grape must (that is, in fact grape juice). After aging in a barrique, the drink acquires a color from light amber to dark golden.
The color and quality of the drink varies from vineyard to vineyard, depending on the topography, soil composition and grape variety used. The taste is mostly sweet, with floral and fruity notes in the aroma (see fr: Pineau des Charentes ).
History
According to legend, during the harvest of 1589, the winemaker accidentally added grape must to a barrel, which he considered empty, but actually containing brandy. The drink was left in a barrel for fermentation. A few years later, the barrel was opened and thus received a drink, which is now associated with the Charente region. [one]
Varieties
White Pinot
The most common type, for the production of which such grape varieties are used as: Uni Blanc , Fol Blanche and Colombard , less often Semillon , Sauvignon Blanc and Montil . With a mandatory aging of at least 18 months, of which at least 8 months in an oak barrel.
As a result, the resulting drink has 16 to 22% alcohol (almost always 17% in commercial practice) and a traditionally deep golden color. [2]
The more refined Pinot de Charentes is aged in an oak barrel for more than five years, and sometimes decades.
Red / Pink Pinot
Pinot from red and pink grape varieties is most popular in the production region and France itself. It is made from grapes Cabernet Franc , Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and aging for at least 14 months, including at least 8 months in oak barrels. Color from dark pink to brown [2] .
Production
The annual production of Pinot De Charente is about 14 million liters. About 80% of this volume is produced in the Charente-Maritime department. Its production is controlled in accordance with the appellation d'Origine Contrôlée appellation of origin classification. In the classification of “fortified wines,” although it is not quite wine in the usual sense of the word, this drink belongs to the Mistel category (alcoholic drink based on cognac alcohol). The production principle is based on the combination of the art of distilling grape wine into alcohol with its further blending with finished wine material [3] .
Storage and Use
As with many fortified wines, such as Jerez, the long aging of Pinot de Charentes in a bottle does not bring much benefit. Keeping closed bottles away from light sources will be good for wine. After opening, Pinot is best stored in the refrigerator to avoid excessive oxidation of the drink.
Pinot de Charentes should be served chilled (8-10 ° C) in tulip-shaped glasses; glasses for consuming dessert and fortified wines such as sherry can also be suitable [4] .
Notes
See also
Mistel (alcoholic drink)