Have you heard of Picpoul? It is not one of the most common white grape varieties out there, but once you try it, this will become one of your favorites. If you like crisp, acidic and dry white wine that pairs amazingly well with seafood, get yourself a bottle of this wine.
Picpoul is grown in the southern Rhone and Languedoc regions of France, Spain, and a bit in the US. It is indigenous to the Vaucluse department, located in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. It prefers to grow in sand or marl and it loves a hot climate.
Its name means “stings the lips” in French, a nod to its tartness and salinity.
One taste and you will be hooked. Think lemon, citrus, green apple, and the saltiness of the ocean all in one glass. It has high acidity and relatively low alcohol, which, for me, makes it one of the most refreshing summer wines, on its own or with seafood.
But anytime of the year, I LOVE it with mussels. “Picpoul et moules” (Picpoul and mussels). is a rhyming French saying in the Languedoc wine region of Picpoul de Pinet, where you will find this grape growing near the Mediterranean: The tart, citrus flavors with buttery, garlicky mussels is perfection. Oh, and don’t forget the fries or toasty baguette to soak up the sauce!
Picpoul pairs well with almost any seafood: oysters, fried calamari, or fish. It also pairs well with many lighter Mediterranean dishes. Serve it ice cold on its own or with food to get the best “lip stinging” experience.
These wines are not easy to find, but they are well priced (sometimes as low as $10-15) and usually of a good quality, like most of the wines of Southern France. I often order this wine online through one of the wine retailers or clubs that I belong to, if it is not readily available at the liquor store. See if you can find some and add this varietal to your summer wine list!
