In Hugh Johnson's 2000 Pocket Encyclopedia Of Wine I find:
Ratafia de Champagne- Sweet aperitif made in Champ of 67% grape juice and 33% brandy. Not unlike Pineau des Charentes.
Pineau des Charentes - Strong sweet aperitif: white grape juice and Cognac.
In Lichine's New Encyclopedia of Wines and Spirits, 3rd ed., I find:
Ratafia - It is claimed that the name was applied to any liqueur drunk at the ratification of a treaty or agreement. It now applies to sweetened aperitifs made from wines, such as Ratafia de Bourgogne and Ratafia de Champagne.
In Tony Lord's The World Guide To Spirits, Aperitifs And Cocktails I find:
In some grape-growing areas of France, local aperitifs are made by fortifying, and sometimes slightly sweetening, young red or white wine. Ratifia, originally named after the liqueur which served to conclude the signing, or ratifying , of a treaty of agreement, is one example. The regions of Champagne and Burgundy are the two main producers of this odd drink that can, on occasion, taste of old rubber tyres. In the Cognac area their version is Pineau de Charente, both red and white, fortified naturally with Cognac. Traditionally served well-chilled before meals, these aperitifs are deceptively powerful.
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