My husband and I took our first couple trip to France in the early 80’s, eating far too much and loving it. We ended up one day lunching outside at a family restaurant, maybe near Albi but at this moment, memory is not serving. The meal was great, the September sun warmed us and after we finished, the young serveuse plunked a bottle of Pineau des Charentes on the table. We sat sipping and sunning and got so hammered that I have no idea what or how we finished that day !!!
I never see it in the Northern Vaucluse, where we are part time, but will look harder now. Thanks David and hello to Beverly…love both of your posts and how they connect me to France when I’m home in San Rafael.
Some people do like serving it after a meal, which is nice as well. It's lower in ABV than, say, Cognac or Calvados, but is higher in alcohol than other apéritifs.
I remember people coming to Paris, looking for Lillet (I was one of them) and finding that not only do most cafés *not* have it on the menu (since it's from Bordeaux), but few know what it is. The corporate parent company of it made a strong marketing push in the U.S., and recently had what looked like a product placement on - yup - Emily in Paris.
As you know, Pineau des Charentes isn't widely-known elsewhere, but it's really lovely stuff...enjoyed in moderation, of course ; )
I first tasted pineau de charantes when a friend of mine who was dating the guy who owned les grottes de matata brought it with her when she stayed with me at my place in the dordogne. I fell in love with it then and have been drinking it ever since. When we visited them, we fell in love with, I think it’s called something like eclade, mussels barbecued over pine needles. Both fabulous with the wonderful memories that go with them.
I’ve had eclade, and it’s fun to watch it being made! Glad you also like Pineau des Charentes. It’s not well-known outside of France, but should be…imho
My husband and I took our first couple trip to France in the early 80’s, eating far too much and loving it. We ended up one day lunching outside at a family restaurant, maybe near Albi but at this moment, memory is not serving. The meal was great, the September sun warmed us and after we finished, the young serveuse plunked a bottle of Pineau des Charentes on the table. We sat sipping and sunning and got so hammered that I have no idea what or how we finished that day !!!
I never see it in the Northern Vaucluse, where we are part time, but will look harder now. Thanks David and hello to Beverly…love both of your posts and how they connect me to France when I’m home in San Rafael.
Some people do like serving it after a meal, which is nice as well. It's lower in ABV than, say, Cognac or Calvados, but is higher in alcohol than other apéritifs.
I remember people coming to Paris, looking for Lillet (I was one of them) and finding that not only do most cafés *not* have it on the menu (since it's from Bordeaux), but few know what it is. The corporate parent company of it made a strong marketing push in the U.S., and recently had what looked like a product placement on - yup - Emily in Paris.
As you know, Pineau des Charentes isn't widely-known elsewhere, but it's really lovely stuff...enjoyed in moderation, of course ; )
I first tasted pineau de charantes when a friend of mine who was dating the guy who owned les grottes de matata brought it with her when she stayed with me at my place in the dordogne. I fell in love with it then and have been drinking it ever since. When we visited them, we fell in love with, I think it’s called something like eclade, mussels barbecued over pine needles. Both fabulous with the wonderful memories that go with them.
I’ve had eclade, and it’s fun to watch it being made! Glad you also like Pineau des Charentes. It’s not well-known outside of France, but should be…imho