I was introduced to Domaine Félines Jourdan’s Picpoul de Pinet last year by Juan Sanchez at La Dernière Goutte, and it became my go-to inexpensive white for easy refreshment during that late spring in Paris. I wrote about it then, but after seeing it on a few lists in New York City this summer, as well as on the board at Fish in Paris, I thought I’d revisit what I consider a perfect warm weather wine.
Picpoul is the grape, Pinet is the place. This is a little unusual, for a varietal to be named in an A.O.C., or Appellation d’Origine Controlée (in this case Coteaux du Languedoc). The red variety, Picpoul noir, is one of the 13 grapes permitted to be used to make the famous Chateauneuf du Pape, and is used in blending for the acidity it brings. But around Pinet, a village in the southern Languedoc near the Mediterranean coast, Picpoul blanc is the star.
This is a bottle for summertime. The strengths of this wine, its deceiving lightness, its bright acidity (the word picpoul means “lip stinger”), its outright refreshing-ness are qualities best enjoyed in the warmer months of the year. It’s an excellent partner for the seafood harvested in the nearby oyster and mussel beds. But what this wine is really perfect for is late spring and all of summer, when there is an abundance of sunshine and fresh vegetables, when we eat lighter and crave refreshment.
It’s also perfectly good on its own, preferably on a sunny terrace with a view of the sea.
Domaine Félines de Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet retails for about $13 in the States. Find it here.
For information on Picpoul de Pinet, direct from the source, go HERE.
Domaine Félines de Jourdan website
La Dernière Goutte 6 Rue de Bourbon le Chateau, 75006 Paris, +33 (0)1 43 29 11 62
Yum, sounds like my kind of wine. Plus I’m going to love saying the name. Looking for it on my next trip to the Cora – aren’t I a horror for buying wine in the grocery store? Glad to find your blog!
So glad you enjoyed it, it’s a lovely quaffer and actually drinks well year-round. I am, of course, biased, as I represent them in the US. Thanks for the lovely write-up, I’ll be sure the winemaker sees this. For more info, you can go to http://www.vinotasimports.com and http://www.vinotas.blogspot.com.
Cheers!
Kim: I hope you find it!
Vinotas: Thanks for bringing this wine to the States — I was so excited to see it in NYC a few months ago!