Picpoul: the joys of simple wine

[Jim_Stewart]

Kysela imports a fun one. Picpoul de Pinet from Hughues de Beaulieu (spelling?).

I had a bottle of the 2017 HB Picpoul de Pinet [Costieres de Pomerols] brought in by Kysela earlier this week, with stir fried clams and long green beans in a black bean sauce. I hadn’t heard of this country wine AOC before, which I assume is somewhere in the Languedoc. The wine isn’t as crisp as I’d expected/hoped, but is still ok. It has enough fruit to be enjoyed by itself, without food. Bottled under screwcap too. I’ve got another bottle as I had two separate retailers urge me to try it, and I’d forgotten there already was one in the kitchen quaffing racks, but it doesn’t seem zippy enough for shellfish/mollusks. To wit: we had crabs & beet greens in a coconut curry the next night, and I paired that with a FdSG Fiano Avellino instead. I thought there were some straw/hay notes (like Chenin Blanc) in this Picpoul.

For my tastes it’s a B, and I’d pass on reloading.

Arv, Based on your finding this producer’s Picpoul lacking in the “crisp” , “zippy”, and shellfish friendly components, I would recommend giving the Domaine Felines Jourdan’s basic Picpoul a try before you move on from Picpoul for good. You might be pleased. FWIW. -Jim

[Al_Osterheld]

Picpoul Blanc does well in Paso Robles, although the wines I’ve had tend to be a bit of a different style as the grape in Paso tends to produce a somewhat richer wine while still holding good acidity.

-Al

[Arv_R]

Kysela imports a fun one. Picpoul de Pinet from Hughues de Beaulieu (spelling?).

I had a bottle of the 2017 HB Picpoul de Pinet [Costieres de Pomerols] brought in by Kysela earlier this week, with stir fried clams and long green beans in a black bean sauce. I hadn’t heard of this country wine AOC before, which I assume is somewhere in the Languedoc. The wine isn’t as crisp as I’d expected/hoped, but is still ok. It has enough fruit to be enjoyed by itself, without food. Bottled under screwcap too. I’ve got another bottle as I had two separate retailers urge me to try it, and I’d forgotten there already was one in the kitchen quaffing racks, but it doesn’t seem zippy enough for shellfish/mollusks. To wit: we had crabs & beet greens in a coconut curry the next night, and I paired that with a FdSG Fiano Avellino instead. I thought there were some straw/hay notes (like Chenin Blanc) in this Picpoul.

For my tastes it’s a B, and I’d pass on reloading.

Another bottle of the 2017 HB Picpoul de Pinet [Costieres de Pomerols], this time with halibut & hash browns, and finished over 4 days. It was good, but remains a little less crisp than I would expect. Solid wine but no need to repurchase. I’ll keep an eye out for other purveyors of the varietal though.

[williamwhelan]

Blair Guthrie makes Picpoul from Rorick Heritage Vyd for this Guthrie Family Wines label and it’s pretty damn good.

[brigcampbell]

I have a bottle of 2018 Tablas Creek - I’ll rip the cork this weekend

The tasting notes on the various vintages are funny. Stuff like “paired with a burrito” or “nice with costco roasted chicken”

That’s the way I roll.

[Thomas_Keim]

Not too much experience with Picpoul, but the one I have had (Felines Jourdan) was a very enjoyable substitute for Muscadet. The brightness & brinyness with a bit more oomph. Board member Michel Abood imports it…but I’d still buy it in spite of that.

I have access to 6-8 different Picpouls in my market, but the Felines Jourdan is my favorite with just a but more minerality and focus than the others. Domaine des Lauriers is another top notch producer.

[Marshall_Manning]

I have access to 6-8 different Picpouls in my market, but the Felines Jourdan is my favorite with just a but more minerality and focus than the others. Domaine des Lauriers is another top notch producer.

I think something like 3/4 of Picpoul is made by co-ops, with a number of different labels under those co-ops, so there’s a lot of boring Picpoul out there, but there are some good ones.

[dsimmons]

The only one that I have drunk was the '17 Tablas Creek which I enjoyed. Great summer quaff.

[wspohn]

Loved Picpoul when drunk in Sete on the coast but it doesn’t always travel well.

[Sean_S]

Love the Picpoul from Cellar 33 and Highlawn.

The 2018 was particularly good.

[Marshall_Manning]

Loved Picpoul when drunk in Sete on the coast but it doesn’t always travel well.

Just don’t eat too much shellfish!

[brigcampbell]

• 2018 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Adelaida District (6/21/2020)
  Nice wine that reminds me of a cross between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. But has a little bit of the petrol note and the high acid of a Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is a delicious pineapple and lemon. Really enjoyable

Posted from CellarTracker

[lleichtman]

Great summer wine with seafood. Bonny Doon and Tablas Creek make American versions and I liked the Tablas Creek, Bonny Doon was a little flabby. Usually drink Picpoul from Gerard Bertrand as that is the one most available here.

[Rich_K0rz_nk0]

@benjamin laird marshall

Kysela imports a fun one. Picpoul de Pinet from Hughues de Beaulieu (spelling?).

Yes, a ‘house wine’ of their own creation. Theirs is slightly more fruity than most but extremely consistent. Others are more like a Muscadet with lower acidity.

Its a consistent, inexpensive, summer porch sipper. Can’t do worst while playing guitar on the porch and wasting away an afternoon lightly.

[Gerhard_P]

Why would you want to drink a wine whose simplicity guarantees it will never get a score over 90???
I put Picpoul in the same category of Vermentino or Albarino; not a pprofound drink, but something that sometimes the moment
just calls for. Most of the ones you see come from the Languedoc.
I particularly like the version that TablasCreek produces. It has that stoney/lean/mineral character that speaks of Picpoul,
but a degree of richness & lushness that bespeaks its Calif origins.
Tom

In Southern France in summer I don’t wanna drink “points” … a Picpoul is a nice refreshing drink, usually better than 90% of all Ros’es - and for 7-12 € … perfect for any fish dish … so what?

[Jim_Stewart]

Why would you want to drink a wine whose simplicity guarantees it will never get a score over 90???
I put Picpoul in the same category of Vermentino or Albarino; not a pprofound drink, but something that sometimes the moment
just calls for. Most of the ones you see come from the Languedoc.
I particularly like the version that TablasCreek produces. It has that stoney/lean/mineral character that speaks of Picpoul,
but a degree of richness & lushness that bespeaks its Calif origins.
Tom

In Southern France in summer I don’t wanna drink “points” … a Picpoul is a nice refreshing drink, usually better than 90% of all Ros’es - and for 7-12 € … perfect for any fish dish … so what?

veng blanc!