Navarre Pineau des Charentes Blanc

Domaine Navarre oversees every step of production, from cultivating the land to final bottling and branding, with the same meticulous, hands-on philosophy behind their acclaimed Cognac: hand-harvested fruit, no water reduction, no additives, and no filtration. Pineau des Charentes itself follows a traditional recipe unique to the Cognac region, roughly three-quarters fresh, unfermented white grape must (primarily Ugni Blanc, sometimes joined by Colombard, Folle Blanche, or a touch of Sémillon) blended with about one-quarter Cognac eau-de-vie from the same vineyard. This process, known as mutage, halts fermentation and preserves the grapes' natural sugars, resulting in a rich, naturally sweet fortified wine typically bottled around 17-20% ABV. In the glass, expect a luminous golden color, ranging from pale straw to deeper gold depending on age. On the nose, look for the classic white Pineau signature: honey, white flowers (acacia), citrus, and fresh or candied stone fruit (peach, apricot, pear), sometimes with a touch of tropical fruit and beeswax. The palate opens with a lively, refreshing attack balanced by the wine's natural sweetness and fullness, carrying that same honeyed fruit character through to a smooth, lingering finish, Navarre's own philosophy of minimal intervention lets the quality of the underlying must and Cognac shine through cleanly. Traditionally served well-chilled as an aperitif, white Pineau is a classic partner for foie gras, melon, and blue or goat cheeses, and it works beautifully in simple highball-style serves over ice with a twist of lemon or orange, or in cocktails like a Pineaujito or Pineau-based Négroni riff. A genuine taste of Charentais tradition from a house committed to artisanal, small-scale production in the heart of Cognac country.