Originally published on July 15, 2009.
July may be Sparkling Wine month, but we still reserve Saturday afternoon to open whatever strikes our fancy. And last Saturday, our fancy was struck by a the Chateau Petit Roubie Picpoul de Pinet 2007.
Picpoul has been a bit of an obsession since we brought one in about six months ago. The Chateau Petit Roubie combines what may be our three favorite factors.
The Frankly Wines Favorite Factors:
- High level of obscurity
- High level of tastiness
- High level of affordability
Let’s break it down.
Obscurity factor: Most wine geeks, let alone regular civilians, haven’t heard of the Picpoul grape. It’s generally only grown in the south of France, and primarily used for blending. But in this sub-region of the Langeudoc (I suppose it’s the “de Pinet” region) it stands on its own.
Tastiness factor: An ideal summer wine for those willing to stray beyond Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s crisp and refreshing, but still manages to have a bit of body to it. When we first tried it, it reminded us of a Muscadet, but from a warmer climate. Both have a serious minerality, citrus notes, and an almost salty/saline quality. Both pair perfectly with the shellfish found in their respective regions. But Muscadet, coming from the northern reaches of France, where the Loire empties into the Atlantic, is racier, leaner, more on the stoney side. Picpoul de Pinet, however, shows off its location near the sunny shores of the Mediterranean with more a tropical feel. We don’t want to suggest overripe pineapples, but rather a sense of the warmth of the region that you can feel in the wine, balanced by citrus notes, minerals, and that pleasant saltiness.
Affordability factor: $13.99. Works well for both the “Under $20” crowd and the “Under $15” crowd.
Obviously, we like it. But last Saturday, on one of the first really nice, sunny days of the summer, lots of customers decided they liked it as well.