red grape · regional specialty
Pineau d'Aunis
Loire Valley, France
Say it
pee·nodoh·nee
Final 's' in Aunis is silent; 'au' is a pure [o] vowel, not a diphthong
On the palate
raspberrystrawberryred cherrywhite peppervioletdried herbs
How you spot it blind: White pepper aroma, the single diagnostic tell even in light extractions
The story
First written down · 1816, Loire Valley, France (André Jullien)
A 2009 DNA study disproved its long-assumed kinship with both Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir; it is a Loire genetic orphan with distant Sauvignon Blanc affinity.
Where it lives
Coteaux du Loir AOC · Coteaux du Vendômois AOC · Touraine AOC
Shows up as
still redrosésparkling
If you like this, try
Also answers to Pinot d'Aunis, Chenin Noir.
Shop our Pineau d'Aunis bottles