Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul (sometimes Piquepoul) mostly comes from the South of France from the Pays d'Oc region. Picpoul de Pinet is a specific appelation within here where the very best Picpoul wines can be found.

It is on low-lying region near to the coast, devoted to white wine made entirely from the Piquepoul Blanc grape. (The appellation is spelled ‘Picpoul’, while the grape is spelled ‘Piquepoul’.) Most know Picpoul for its remarkably refreshing, zingy characterstics which would usually signify a cool climate wine. However, as we know the South of France experiences Mediterranean conditions frequently, particularly during the growing season. So, how does Piquepoul remain so fresh? The key lies in the grapes ability to retain acidity as it ripens even in warm climates. This superpower means that your wine has that signature freshness (thanks to high acidity) and can develop intense tropical, citrussy flavours thanks to the warm.

As a general rule of thumb, Picpoul is dry and medium bodied with high acidity and easy drinking flavours like lemon with some delicate floral notes. Vineyards nearer the sea can often create wines with a salty edge on the finish. Indeed, one place to go if you do want to experience this, is, if you move out of the Picpoul de Pinet region just a bit towards Côtes de Thau, you can find piquepoul blends. This region is situated on the shores of the Étang de Thau lagoon meaning you really are getting this salty effect.

So, fancy some Picpoul? Thanks to its distinctive bottle, you can easily recognise a bottle before you are close enough to read the label. The UK is the greatest market for it with more wine being exported than actually drunk in the region! And a lot of what is drunk in the region is by the British tourists of course. We know a thing or two about this wine...