Definition: Haut-Poitou VDQS

Appellation of the Poitou-Charentes region. Production area located north-west of Poitiers, within 45 communes in the Vienne department and 2 in the Deux-Sèvres department. Classified as VDQS in 1970. Production area of nearly 800 hectares. White grape varieties: Chardonnay; Chenin (maximum 20%), Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon; black grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Côt, Gamay, Gamay de Chaudenay (maximum 20%), Grolleau (maximum 20%), Merlot and Pinot Noir. Produced as white, rosé and red wines. Storage potential: white wines age very well in the bottle; rosé wines are best drunk young; red wines can be kept for 5 to 6 years. Ideal serving temperature: between 10 and 12°C for white and rosé wines; between 16 and 17°C for red wines. Pair with: white with shellfish, stuffed mussels for example, crustaceans or Atlantic fish; rosé with grey or pink shrimp; red with green cabbage with bacon, cooked ham with mogette beans.