The vineyards of Charente-Maritime, tastes and colors in a bottle

With its varied soil and mild Charente climate, the Charente-Maritime region boasts significant advantages for producing delicious sweet grapes, as well as unique Charente wines and drinks to enjoy. Raise your glass and let yourself be carried away!

The Charente-Maritime vineyard, a “Vin de Pays Charentais” appellation to taste

North of Saint-Jean-d'Angély, and on the islands of Ré and Oléron, the region's vines are quietly growing, future grapes full of sugar that will become delicious wine with the "Vin de Pays Charentais" appellation . This PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) was obtained in 2009 for white, red or rosé wines, an assurance of quality for these fruity drinks that must respect a common charter and its criteria. The geographical location is one of them since only winemakers who work the land in Charente and Charente-Maritime can obtain the PGI label. In total, 26 grape varieties are cultivated each year between the reds and the whites, allowing the production of "Vins de Pays Charentais" according to a classic vinification method:

• The harvest takes place between September and October, when ripe grapes are harvested.
• Destemming and crushing, which involves separating the grain from the stalk before crushing them to release their sweet juice.
• Pumping over (only for red wines) in order to color the juice which rises from the bottom of the vat to the top, passing through the skins.
• Fermentation where sugar is transformed into alcohol thanks to yeast, before sweetening with the work of bacteria.
• Aging in vats or barrels and bottling of white, red or rosé wines.

Fruity, balanced, fine and aromatic, the “Vins de Pays Charentais” are a pleasure to enjoy as an aperitif and pair perfectly with seafood and local produce.

The Charente-Maritime vineyard, a precious brandy called cognac

Cognac, closely linked to the Charente-Maritime region, is the fruit of ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation to passionate winegrowers, happy to enhance their land. This internationally renowned brandy is appreciated by foreigners who consider it the ambassador of the French art of living in the ^17th century. At that time, cognac was already exported to more than 160 countries, and it obtained the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) label in 1936. This appellation includes strict specifications respected by all winegrowers, such as the geographical location of the vines across almost all of Charente-Maritime, a large part of Charente and some communes of Deux-Sèvres and Dordogne.

How do you get a delicious cognac with amber highlights and fruity aromas?

By blending a double distillation of white wine followed by aging for at least 2 years in oak barrels. Double distillation using "two toasts" separates the alcoholic and aromatic compounds from the vinasses to obtain a clear eau-de-vie estimated at over 70°. Aging or élevage is the next step, a period where the cognac gains complexity and floral and fruity aromas for the youngest, drawing on notes of coconut, vanilla and roasting for the oldest. Each oak barrel is unique and at the same time offers exceptional cognacs with inimitable flavors with each tasting. Cognac is designated according to its age by aging mentions:

• 2 years minimum: VS (Very Special), 3 stars, De Luxe
• 3 years minimum: Superior, Superior Quality
• 4 years minimum: VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), Rare, Reserve
• 5 years minimum: Old Reserve, Rare Reserve
• 6 years minimum: Napoleon, Very Old Reserve, Heritage
• 10 years minimum: XO, Extra Old, Hors d'âge, Extra,
• 14 years minimum: XXO, Extra Extra Old

All you have to do is enjoy!

Pineau des Charentes, an exceptional product from the vineyards of Charente-Maritime

This delicate beverage was born in the ^16th century thanks to the inattention of a winemaker who stored his grape must in a barrel used for fermentation. The latter, which contained alcohol, then produced a delicious blend of grape must and cognac known today as Pineau des Charentes. Its production was officially recognized in 1935 and then promoted by a VLAOC label in 1945 (Vin de Liqueur Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée). Its manufacturing process is both simple and complex since it includes that of making cognac and wine:

• Vintage
• Pressing
• Mutage (combination of grape must and cognac)
• Aging
• Bottling

Aging in oak barrels gives it its aromatic notes and beautiful color, resulting in white Pineau with flavors of honey and spices, while rosé Pineau is fruitier. Delicious and fragrant, they can be enjoyed chilled as an aperitif or as a dessert wine.

The Charente-Maritime vineyard, a jewel of the region, cultivated by passionate men and women.