|
| Gaujal de Saint BonRegion: Languedoc/Roussillon | |
|
White Wine
2010 Picpoul de Pinet, Cuvée des Comtesses
| Picpoul de Pinet is a relatively small sub-appellation within the Coteaux du Languedoc. The vineyards are located in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, not far from the beach resort of Sete, southwest of Montpellier. Most of the wine produced (over 80%) comes from four large co-ops in the region. Like some other Mediterranean whites, Rolle (aka Vermentino) and Assyrtico, Picpoul thrives in the hot climate and holds its acidity and freshness well. In fact, the name Picpoul is derived from the French words "picque," meaning sharp, and "poul," meaning lip -- "lip stinger."
Domaine Gaujal St. Bon is a small estate-bottled operation run with extreme diligence by the mother-daughter team, Simone and Virginie Gaujal. They are proud defenders of Picpoul, and endeavor to make the finest and truest expressions of the variety in the appellation. Yields are kept in the 40 h/h range, while 60 h/h is permitted (and often exceeded).
They ferment with "neutral" yeasts that bring out the true character of the grapes themselves without artificially accentuating specific traits. The wines are fermented in tank but held on the lees a full 7 to 8 months before bottling, often twice as long as most other Picpouls.
|
|
