In the double distillation process, the liquid passes twice through the Charentes still. The first passage yields a distillate called the " brouillis " which is then distilled a second time in the same still, producing the Cognac brandy. 

The Cognac is left to age in barrels made from the oak trees of the Limousin or Tronçais forests. Thus, only the contact of a white wine from the Cognac region with the copper of the still and the oak of the barrel can give the "Appellation d'Origine" wine spirit that is "Cognac". 

Depending one the number of years spent in oak barrels in ageing cellars, different qualities of Cognac are obtained: ***, VSOP, X.O. 

The still, of Arab origin, was adopted by Charentais as of the seventeenth century. Very little modified since, and in particular always made of copper, the still is one of those very few yet used tools which link back to a remote past. 
A beautiful example of still can be seen at the Domaine des Brissons de Laage.

Produced exclusively in the delimited area of Cognac, the Pineau des Charentes is subject to official approval before it can be put on sale, which cannot take place earlier than the 1st of October following the production.  It is the delighful result of mixing Charentes grape juice with Cognac, thus stopping the fermentation process. 
The grape must is required to have an alcoholic strength of at least 10% and must originate from a vineyard producing not more than 60 hl per hectare. 
The Cognac must come from the same exploitation and contain at least 60% alcohol. 
These two components combined give a product whose alcoholic strength must range between 16% and 22% by volume.  Between its making and the bottling, the Pineau des Charentes must age solely in oak barrels. 

Above all, it is  a great natural aperitif and dessert wine.  For your pleasure, discover cocktails and culinary recipes containing Pineau des Charentes.