Sitting in the garden with my glass of chilled white wine I was reminded of when we first discovered one of those unusual grape varieties, Picpoul de Pinet in 1987, on holiday in the Camargue region of France. Being seafood lovers we spent some of our time at Bouzigues where the whole Etang de Thau seemed completely full of racks growing the rope-suspended mussels and oysters. We had seafood platters in a quayside restaurant with a house white wine {served in an uncracked jug (!)} I discovered to be Picpoul. I’d never heard of it, but there is no doubt that today it’s fame and popularity preclude it from being served as a standard cheap house white, though I never see it written about in wine tasting articles.

Oz Clark, Grapes & Wines
“Picpoul or Piquepoul is found in the Languedoc region, usually in its white form, though there is also a Picpoul Noir and a Picpoul Gris. All are old grape varieties. Picpoul Noir is aromatic and reaches high levels of potential alcohol, but is pale in colour and doesn’t age. It is usually only found in blends. Picpoul Blanc is noted for its high acidity (piquepoul means ‘lipstinger’) and lemony fruit, and any grape with high acidity can be an asset in the hot Languedoc climate. It used to be widely grown for vermouth. It is becoming quite popular and is particularly useful for blending, but can be delicious and lemony when in AC form as Picpoul de Pinet from around the village of Pinet near the Étang de Thau on the Mediterranean coast north of Agde. Quality of Picpoul de Pinet has greatly increased recently. Best producers: (France) la Grangette, Montagnac co-op, Pinet co-op, Gaujal, Genson, St-Martin de la Garrigue; (USA) Bonny Doon.” Do look out for them if you are wine tasting in France!

My example of Picpoul in the featured photo above was bought from The Wine Society, a cracker of a bargain at £7.50, still a family favourite, but we need to go to Bouzigues to get the quality seafood to go with it! And yes, I had put ice cubes in it …. but never if it’s with food!

The Wine Society
“Picpoul de Pinet is one of the best-value white grape varieties from the south of France. Full-flavoured, dry yet with crisp freshness and a beguiling citrus and herb flavour, it can be enjoyed on its own or with seafood.”

And finally, if you’d like a few recommendations of some of the best from several wine tasting sessions, then Decanter magazine wrote a nice review article of some of the best Picpoul wines available. Just click the link.

Categories: Languedoc, Reviews, Wine

Tags: Bouzigues, Camargue, Decanter, food and travel, food culture, foodie, France, French wine, grape varieties, grapes, picpoul, Wine, Wine Society