Pineau des Charentes & Pommeau de Normandie
Both of these beautiful products are mistelles, which are produced by adding unfermented or partially fermented juice to full-proof spirit (typically in a ratio of 3:1 juice to spirit) and barrel aging it. Pineau des Charentes is produced in the same region as Cognac and combines unfermented grape juice with 1-year-old Cognac. Some are bright and lively while others have earthier, dried-fruit notes. The Pommeau is produced similarly, but in Normandy, an apple-rich coastal region in the northwest. It’s typically 75% unfermented apple juice and 25% Calvados and delivers not only big apple flavor but a wonderful texture as well.
INGREDIENTS
Pineau des Charentes
and/or
Pommeau de Normandie
or another French mistelle, such as Floc de Gascogne
ABV LEVEL
Serve 2-3 oz. of mistelle, chilled, in very small stemmed glasses.
PAIR WITH
a selection of cheeses (French blues are particularly good here) with your favorite accoutrements, like pickled vegetables, olives, crackers, charcuterie, honey, jam, etc.
