This One Of A Kind Wine Is The Best To Sip Before And After Dinner

A cocktail before or after dinner usually involves an aperitif like vermouth or aperol because of their blend of aromas and herbs. However, you can switch up pre-dinner drinks with a fortified wine. Pineau des Charentes, or Pineau, known for its one of a kind taste profile is the best wine to serve before and after dinner. Originated in the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions of France (the same area where Cognac is produced), Pineau des Charentes is crafted from a combination of fresh grape juice and eau-de-vie from Cognac.

Part of what makes it an exciting beverage is Pineau’s exceptional stylistic range and versatility. With a 17% ABV, Pineau des Charentes is lighter than a spirit but more robust than a wine, blending the fruit flavors of the wine with the distinctive kick of the Cognac. There are many different ages and styles of Pineau des Charentes, and there is no singular taste profile, making it a one of kind wine to sip. Different variations offer an array of notes ranging from apricot to walnut, peach, honey, vanilla and more.

Featuring different ages and styles, Pineau des Charentes can be enjoyed in many different cocktails thanks to time spent in oak barrels. Young Pineau des Charentes is normally fruit-forward and clean, with a dry refreshing finish, where Old and Very Old Pineau des Charentes, typically aged 5 to 10 years in oak are nuanced and complex with layers of dried fruit, nuts, honey and spices.

Served neat, with a slight chill, or an ice cube, Pineau is an excellent choice as a base ingredient for low-ABV cocktails, or can be used as a modifier to enhance rich spirits like rum, brandy, or whiskey without overpowering them. To illustrate the versatility and quality of Pineau des Charentes, we visited the best bars in NYC to experience the multifaceted spirit.

Lullaby

Hardy Le Coq D’Or Pineau Des Charentes highlights notes of dried fruit, honey, and lime trees. Often a substitute for vermouth in a stirred cocktail, Lower East Side bar Lullaby likes it in a shaken libation. Try Lullaby’s riff on the classic cognac cocktail , Champs-Elysees. In this mixture, Pineau is the main spirit, with Green Chartreuse, lemon juice, basil, and a touch of salt.

Lullaby Serves The One Of A Kind Wine That Is Best To Sip Before And After Dinner

Double Chicken Please

Chateau de Montifaud Pineau des Charentes involves notes of caramel, candied oranges, nuts and sweet spices. Reminiscing the Japanese childhood favorite butter raisin biscuit, Double Chicken Please created a stirred cocktail involving Pineau by having it slow cooked with black raisin for 12 hours and then fat washed in brown butter.

Double Chicken Please Serves The Best Wine To Serve Before And After Dinner

Double Chicken Please created a stirred cocktail involving The Best Wine To Serve Before And After Dinner

Banzarbar

Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau des Charentes features tasting notes of dried fruit with lingering flavors of pear and honey. Freemans cocktail bar, Banzarbar stirred Pineau in a cocktail consisting of 12 yr. Scotch, dry vermouth, Mango Eau-de-vie, peach liqueur, and orange bitters.