Thursday, December 22, 2011

Domaine Delsol 2010 Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul is an obscure white grape from Coteaux Languedoc, France, that really rocks.
Many years ago I stumbled across a Picpoul de Pinet from Hugues Beaulieu. The great value and crisp taste earned it a permanent place on my “go-to” list of everyday wines.

I’ve never seen a PDP from another winery… until last week when I stumbled upon the Domaine Delsol PDP at Corks. We chilled it down and when Green Dragon ran out of her Sauvignon Blanc, we opened this baby with anticipation.

Picpoul de Pinet (the name of the appellation as well as the grape) is the largest grape-growing region in Languedoc, France, itself a huge area. It is a limestone plateau covered with vineyards and scattered pine groves. The vineyards are among the oldest in the Mediterranean. This is a white variety with enduring characteristics that tickle the taste buds, but cannot be confused with Riesling, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

The wine should be enjoyed chilled. The color is clear with green highlights. The flavors are mineral and steel with a puff of grapefruit aroma. The white pepper flavor is sprinkled throughout. It has a light to medium body with a crisp, acidic finish.

At a price of only $9.99, this a refreshing bargain that will pair well with fish, shellfish, and even poultry.
Rating: 3+ out of 5

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