This Pineau des Charentes, a signature mistelle of the region, is playfully described by Frédéric as “75% grape juice, 25% cognac, and 100% pleasure.” Uniquely, this pineau undergoes oxidative aging for 12 months in partially filled ex-Cognac barrels. The Pineau is then moved into stainless steel tanks outdoors where it ages for nine years before bottling unfined, unfiltered. Not only does this process convert the aperitif’s typical fructose into glucose, preventing its sweetness from coming across as overly sugary, but it allows the pineau to remain remarkably stable once opened. Bourgoin’s Pineau des Charentes has no additives: no sugar, caramel coloring, or boisé.

Fresh and thirst-quenching, with notes of red apricot, orange blossom honey, salted walnut, and crisp apple.