Picpoul

On the palate

How you spot it blind: searing acidity with coastal salinity even in a hot Mediterranean climate

The story

First written down · 14th century, Catalonia and Languedoc (as Picapoll/Piquepoul, referencing the black-skinned family ancestor)

Piquepoul Blanc is the white color mutation of Piquepoul Noir, confirmed by the French official vine registry (INRAE/plantgrape.fr); botanist Pierre Magnol called it 'one of the most renowned grape varieties in Languedoc' in 1618.

Family tree: mutation of PIQUEPOUL NOIR

Where it lives

Picpoul de Pinet AOP, Languedoc-Roussillon, France · Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Rhône Valley, France (blending component) · Catalonia, Spain (as Picapoll) · Paso Robles, California, USA

Shows up as

If you like this, try