Poitou-Charentes Vineyards and Distilleries which produce some great red, white and rose wines

Poitou-Charentes Vineyards and Distilleries

Red, white and rosé wine is produced in the Poitou-Charentes
Red, white and rosé are becoming evermore popular - According to wine experts the reds from the Charente and Charente-Maritime are noted for being ‘elegant’ and ‘robust’, the rosés are reputed for their ‘delicacy’, while the whites are said to be dry, light and ‘subtly perfumed’.
Winemakers in this region are right next door to Saumur, the Touraine and the Anjou. Due to the sunshine, soil type and topography it's not surprising that parts of the Poitou-Charentes region – particularly the north of the Vienne and Deux-Sèvres - produce some excellent wines.

Below are just some of the vineyards in the area:

Vins de Saumur, nord Vienne (an area in the Vienne department in Poitou-Charentes but only just south of Saumur): A wine growing area with a long history, it produces some red wines, however it is best known for its white wines and specially its sparkling wines, which many consider a good (and cheaper) alternative to champagne.

St Emilion is ½ hour drive south of Cognac, this historic wine producing region is for the red wine enthusiasts and boasts excellent tours of vineyards and historic sites.

Vins du Haut-Poitou (just north of Poitiers): the largest of the north Poitou-Charentes wine areas has a history of vineyards going back to Roman times. Today it is known for its fine white wines but also produces many excellent reds too.
In 2010 these were awarded AOC label status.

Vins d’Anjou, Deux-Sèvres ( just in Poitou-Charentes but just south of Angers or the Anjou wine area): just 14 communes in the Deux-Sèvres have the right to use the label ‘Anjou’. These winemakers produce red, white and rosé wines.

Vins de Thouarsais ( further north and west, based around Thouars): a small wine producing area in the Deux-Sèvres department. It is noted for its excellent whites, though it produces some fine cabernet and gamay reds too.

Whilst the wines above are more popular there are other wines known as the Vins de Pays Charentais - (meaning wine from the Charente and Charente-Maritime) These are very popular with people who have good knowledge of wines know their way around a vineyard.

Much of the wine production in this area takes place along the borders of these two departments, between Aulnay to the north, travelling Southwards past Cognac and Saintes to Jonzac further south. The wine producing areas do stretch much further. More information on Vineyards and distilleries in South West France
The Île de Ré and the Île d’Oléron off the Atlantic coast also produce wine, and vineyards continue almost as far as the beach resort of Royan.

Some of the best Charentais wine can be found further inland, north-east of Angoulême at a place called Saint-Sornin. The local wine in this area cooperative produce some excellent reds and whites.

There are around 90 registered producers of Charentais wine, so there is plenty of choice

Another very popular tipple is Pineau des Charentes
There are two types of Pineau des Charentes, white and rosé. To be able to call the produce Pineau des Charentes, the cognac eau de vie and grape juice must come from the same property, and aged in oak casks for a minimum period of 18 months.

There are strict methods to producing Pineau des Charentes and its regulated by the National Pineau Des Charentes Committee.
Pineau des Charentes is appreciated as an aperitif, cocktail (for example, pineau and schwepps tonic water) and is used in gastronomy throughout the meal with the finest foods.

And just outside the area but very popular for a visit is:
Cognac
The world's best-known brandy comes from the peaceful countryside surrounding the Charente River one hundred miles north of Bordeaux. A twenty-mile area called the 'golden circle" of cognac production encompasses Cognac and the second distilling town of Jarnac.
Cognac, the medieval town, is attractive with its narrow medieval cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance facades. It is here that this popular tipple has been created since the 17" century and that the very air one breathes is permeated by the heavy scent of spirits evaporating from oak casks held in storage: this aroma is referred to as the "angels's share'. World famous firms such as Rémy-Martin, Courvoisier, Camus, Hennessy, Niartell, Otard, Prince Hubert de Polignac, and Renault-Bisquit are located here; each distillery has its own secret and unique process for mixing the various blends of its eaux-de-vie.
Many tourist like to take a guided tour to learn about the double-distilling process that goes on in copper stills before the ageing in oak barrels where the precious liquor will improve, taking on its final bouquet and famous golden glow. Take a small train or a barge and discover the history of cognac, its vineyards, distilleries and museums which show you not only how it is made but proudly display the oldest reserve of cognacs dating back to 1830.
In the centre of the town the best tour is that of the Otard distilleries, where cognac has been made for hundreds of years. A sample session follows the tour, but drivers beware, new laws on drink driving are more strict than UK.