Les Costieres du Pomerol - 2020 Picpoul de Pinet

Warmer temps and lighter fare call for lighter wines, and over the last year or so I've become enamored with the Picpoul (or Piquepoul) grape. Sometimes known as the "Muscadet of the South", Picpoul is typically grown in clay and limestone soil in the Languedoc-Roussillon winemaking region of southern France. It has its own AOC, and is one of the only recognized wine regions in France to solely produce white grapes. 

You'll see this wine as Picpoul de Pinet, and is a the perfect wine for summer, in my humble opinion. Fans of vinho verde, and to an extent Sauvignon Blanc, will enjoy this as a nice alternative. For today's review, I chose Les Costieres du Pomerol's 2020 Picpoul, distributed by Kysela Per et Fils. 

Pale yellow in the glass, this wine's nose is fresh with a touch of honey and minerals. The palate is soft, light, citrusy, with just a touch of sweetness and a solid acidity that really stands out. It's not as sweet as Muscadet, nor is it super grassy or honeyed as some Sauvignon Blancs. I think the acidity really stands out here - and don't get me wrong, this wine isn't harsh by any stretch. Acidity in wine doesn't mean it's unpalatable, in fact, you want wine to be somewhat acidic to contribute to good structure. You want a clean, citrusy wine like this to have good acidity. 

You'll find Picpouls from $8.99 - $11.99 (I got this for $8.99 at Irving Wines and Spirits), so definitely a great value and and a perfect "everyday" wine, especially in the hot summer months. Pairs perfectly with oysters, clams, and other seafood. Why not throw one in the fridge?