flipPineau des Charentes as an Aperitif
Pineau des Charentes as an Aperitif
Why this dish? An emblematic fortified wine from the Charentes, neighboring Foucault's native Poitiers, Pineau is the quintessential regional aperitif — the welcoming glass that opens dinners and reunions among friends, so dear to Foucault.
A marriage of fresh grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie, aged in barrel. Sweet, fruity, served well chilled in a small glass before the meal. (Alcoholic beverage, for adults only.)
Before sitting down, one always offers something to drink — it is a politeness, almost a welcoming ritual. In my neighboring Charentes, they hand you a glass of well-chilled Pineau: grape must stopped short by eau-de-vie, then patiently aged. Serve it chilled, in a small glass, never drowned in ice that would kill the fruit. It is the drink that loosens tongues and opens the evening — and God knows I loved evenings that open and do not close until dawn.
- •Fresh grape must — the harvest (sweet base)
- •Cognac eau-de-vie — to stop the must (alcohol and preservation)
Pineau des Charentes as an Aperitif
A marriage of fresh grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie, aged in barrel. Sweet, fruity, served well chilled in a small glass before the meal. (Alcoholic beverage, for adults only.)
Why this dish? An emblematic fortified wine from the Charentes, neighboring Foucault's native Poitiers, Pineau is the quintessential regional aperitif — the welcoming glass that opens dinners and reunions among friends, so dear to Foucault.
Before sitting down, one always offers something to drink — it is a politeness, almost a welcoming ritual. In my neighboring Charentes, they hand you a glass of well-chilled Pineau: grape must stopped short by eau-de-vie, then patiently aged. Serve it chilled, in a small glass, never drowned in ice that would kill the fruit. It is the drink that loosens tongues and opens the evening — and God knows I loved evenings that open and do not close until dawn.
Ingredients (period version)
- Fresh grape must — the harvest (sweet base)
- Cognac eau-de-vie — to stop the must (alcohol and preservation)
Ingredients
- Pineau des Charentes (white or rosé) — 1 well-chilled bottle (ready-made aperitif)
- Ice cubes — 1 or 2 per glass (optional) (chill)
- Orange zest or melon slice — to taste (accompaniment)
Method
- Chill the bottle of Pineau in the refrigerator several hours in advance.
- Serve 4 to 5 cl per person in small glasses.
- Optionally accompany with an orange zest, or a slice of melon in season.
- Serve as an aperitif, alongside some rillettes or a piece of goat cheese.
How it was made : Pineau des Charentes is said to have been born from an accident in the 16th century: a winemaker poured grape must into a barrel that still contained eau-de-vie. The 'mutage' (stopping fermentation with alcohol) preserves the natural sweetness of the grape. It is the identity aperitif of the entire Atlantic Southwest.
The contemporary twist : Poured over a few balls of ripe melon, Pineau becomes a summer dessert-cocktail of thoroughly provincial elegance.
Michel Foucault · Charactorium
