Brard-Blanchard Pineau des Charentes Blanc

Alcohol: 17%

Grape(s): Ugni Blanc, Columbard

Localization: Cognac, France

Tasting Notes: Four generations of organic winemaking, here using the classic grapes of Cognac production (Ugni Blanc, Columbard) to create a "vin du liquer", a sweet dessert wine made by mixing unaged Cognac with fresh grape juice. The result is a well structured, sweet dessert treat with an edge.

The Domain: Since 1972 the  Brard-Blanchard family has practiced polyculture, viticulture, and dairy farming on the southern slopes of the Charente. They farm organically and harvest every product manually. Their Pineau des Charentes Rouge is a blend of unfermented Merlot (must) and Cognac aged in barrel for 3 years. Pineau is an aperitif wine or “mistelle” that is not very well known in the US, but in the Charente region of Western France, it plays a rather important role and is made in both white and red varieties.