Pineau des Charentes

A wine for holidays

The Pineau des Charentes is the traditional drink for holidays on the island of Oleron.

This sweet wine can be white, red or rosé. Usually served as an aperitif, it accompanies well oysters and foie gras.

A bit of history

Pineau, made from cognac and grape must, is only five centuries old, although the vineyard is planted in Charentes since Roman times.

Pineau is only sold since 1929. Before that date, it was only consumed by the producers and their entourage.

On Oleron island, Pineau is produced by fifty winegrowers. It is marketed under the name "Soleil d'Oleron".

This sweet wine from Charentes is also very popular in Belgium and Canada.

Beer of the Wreckers

The Pineau is not the island's only specialty: in Saint-Georges a brewery produces the "Bière des Naufrageurs" ("Beer of the Wreckers").

This brewery can be visited. Formerly, the wreckers would fail vessels to plunder the cargo in their holds.