WINES AND SPIRITS IN POITOU-CHARENTES
THE POOL & GROUNDS
DRINK
WINES
The local supermarkets stock a decent range of French ( not World!) wines at attractive prices.
The SuperU at La Chataignerie , just in the Vendee, has an excellent range of regional wines from the Loire area, Nantes and the Vendee. Also try the local cave at Le Busseau.
We have tried -and enjoyed a wide range and continue to do so!
For a change try lighter whites from the Loire - Quincy, Anjou , Saumur and Vouvray,and of course the Muscadet sur Lie and Gros Plant Nantais an ideal accompaniment to seafood. The Haut Poitou Sauvignons are excellent and dry.
For Reds try Saumur Champigny and Chinon ( can be lightly chilled) and the Vendee Pisotte ( we kid you not!)
Bordeaux wines can be very expensive. The Supermarket offerings are very acceptable and good value. These are generic varieties and not Grand Crus! Try the reds with your BBQ to add a touch of 'class' - look out for Medoc,St Emilion, Graves,Premier Cotes de Bordeaux and Cotes de Blaye among others. Dry whites include Graves and Entre - Deux-Mers.
Sweet whites are fine on their own or excellent accompaniments to desserts and even strong cheeses -look out for Sauternes and Barsac.
Sparkling wines are plentiful and again reasonably priced. The regional ones to try are Saumur and Vouvray - excellent after a busy day's sightseeing as a well - chilled relaxant. These can be be dry (Brut) or Sweet (Doux).
Rose wines are also plentiful with the regional Cabernet d'Anjou and Rose de Loire being light wines and drier. Rose d' Anjou is a sweet wine. Rose's are best chilled.
Spirits
The local Poitou-Charentes aperitif is Pineau des Charentes. This is a fortified drink being a blend of grape juice and Cognac, best drunk chilled.
Cognac is the home to world-famous Brandies and brand-names ( Hennesy, Martell etc). Well worth a visit if this is your tipple. Cognac is classified according to the age in the cask and the price reflects this. The standard variety is 3 star (VS) going up to the very expensive Napoleon (XO) which can be aged for over 40 years.
Armagnac is another spirit from the area - different to Cognac being made from white wines only and has a dry, strong flavour.
Vin Pisotte
Muscadet
Saumur