The Heritage Club - August 2021
This month we feature two wines with roots in France, however, they could not be more distinct. A refreshing Picpoul from southern France that will make you crave fresh seafood and a Chilean Carménère, a once thought extinct varietal from Bordeaux. Both of these wines are quite fun because of their unique flavor profiles and for being wines not often selected from the shelves at your local wine shop.
Domaine la Grangette Poule de Pic 2019
Producer: Domaine la Grangette
Winemaker: Christelle and Matthieu Caron
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Grape Varietal: 100% Picpoul
Viticulture: 10 hectares of argilo-calcareous soil
Method: Maceration 21 days in concrete vats at 12°C with
maturation in stainless steel vats.
Serving Suggestion: Serve ice-cold with seafood, especially oysters, as is traditional in the native region of France.
Age: Drink young or age for up to 3 years.
Nose: Lemon zest and tangerine with a hint of citrus blossom.
Tasting Notes: High acidity with zippy lemon and green apple finished off with nice salinity.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
We often say that certain club selections are perfect for the current season or month because of how they pair with the weather. This selection is no exception. Summer is perfect Picpoul wether. Picpoul is a favorite for many reasons, however, many wine drinkers have not had the pleasure of experiencing this acid forward, citrus-driven, white wine.
Picpoul translates to "sting the lips" and while this wine certainly is as advertised, it also provides a salinity that refreshes. This wine is made right by the Mediterranian and the terroir shines through. Locally, this wine is known as the "Oyster Wine" as it pairs so perfectly with a peck of freshly shucked Oysters.
We adore wines with a sense of place and purpose. Many varietals are grown all over and show different region's strengths and weaknesses. We love those wines, of course, but wines like Picpoul are so very distinct and narrow that they hold a special place in the wine world. This wine is quintessential southern France and specifically Languedoc.
Not only is the wine delicious, but it is also made in a sustainable way, which we always support. Sustainability, incredible value, and delightful wine with a total sense of place check all of the boxes for an incredible club wine.
TUSSOCK JUMPER Carménère 2018
Producer: Tussock Jumper
Region: Vale de Colchagua, Chile
Grape Varietal: 100% Carménère
Viticulture: Granitic soils high in salinity stemming from irrigation from the Maipo River.
Age: While great young, this wine could be aged in proper storage for up to 15 years.
Serving Suggestion: Serve room temperature after 30 minutes of decanting with roasted meats such as chicken or beef.
Nose: Dark fruits with hints of vanilla and tobacco.
Tasting Notes: Black cherry and blackberries carry the fruit notes while peppercorn rounds off a well-balanced wine with a touch of tobacco.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
This is a new wine for many here at Just a Taste and we are sure it will be for the club members.
Originating in Bordeaux, Carménère has become an increasingly grown grape in the new world, in particular South America. This once thought to be extinct grape is making a big comeback. After tasting this wine you will completely understand why.
Some of the great fun in wine drinking is seeing how non-fruit flavors make their way into wine. How this wine displays herbaceousness and tobacco flavors is frankly wild. A grape should not be able to do that, but here we are.
While this wine is great on its own, the taste profile makes us reflexively reach towards our stocked humidors (thanks Leatherwood). A cool fall evening with this bottle and the right cigar would be perfect.