Local specialities



Pineau des Charentes



Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine with a special history. This expressive beverage was created in 1589 in a commune in the South-West of France called Burie. It comes from an unexpected mixture of a distilled product and a fermented product. A winegrower from the Charente region accidentally mixed grape must and cognac brandy in a barrel. After several years, he reopened the barrel and, to his amazement, discovered a new drink: Pineau des Charentes. It obtained an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in 1945.

Cognac



Cognac, renowned throughout the world for centuries, is a wine brandy produced in the French region of the same name. Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) since 1936, Cognac is divided into six subtypes to better enhance the distinct terroirs: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaire. Distilled in iron stills, nowadays Cognac is essentially blended alcohol. It comes in three denominations depending on the ageing time, namely XO (extra old), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and VS (Very Special). Cognac is also used to make certain liqueurs, notably Grand Marnier, which is a blend of bitter orange distillate and cognac.
When our guests ask to visit a Pineau and Cognac producer, we suggest "Le Logis de Folle Blanche". Guests are assured of a warm welcome there and their beverages are excellent.

Oysters



The Marennes-Oléron oysters enjoy protected geographical status and have won two Red Labels. Enjoy as many as you can while you are here!


Since 1989 when they won the first Red Label for a maritime product, the oyster farmers of Marennes Oléron have defended the quality of their products. In 1999, a second Red Label was awarded for the Pousse en Claire; a unique product in the Marennes-Oléron range. In 2009, the European Union registered the "Huîtres Marennes Oléron" label as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), rewarding the oyster farmers for their 20 years of continuous dedication to quality. The maturing in claires, specific to the Marennes Oléronbasin, is now recognized at the European level and extends over more than 3,000 hectares between Seudre and Ile d'Oléron. The oyster benefits from a transmission of knowledge from generation to generation which gives it its celebrated refined flavour.
If you are interested, we suggest that you visit the oyster city in Marennes (http://cite-huitre.com) or the oyster farming and natural site of Fort-Royer on the Ile d'Oléron.

The Mojhettes



The Mojhettes (large white beans) were given to Pont l'Abbé d'Arnoult by Radégonde, the persecuted wife of Clovis, to thank the inhabitants for having hidden and protected her from her royal husband. Mojhettes are a traditional dish in the Charente. These slightly flat white beans, also known as "Rognon de Pont l'Abbé", are grown in the beautiful Arnoult valley. They are versatile beans that lend themselves to many recipes. This is why they can be found in salads, as a single dish or as anaccompaniment. Mojhettes can also be used in vegetarian cake recipes. We buy our mojhettes from Yannick Brun whose farm is located right next to La Tillaie.