2016 Domaine la Grangette Picpoul Noir 'Cocoriko'

Region: Côtes de Thau < Languedoc < France
Grapes: Picpoul Noir
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; limestone soils; light pneumatic pressing maceration/fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then fermented and aged in stainless steel; 12.5% ABV.
Winemaker: Christelle & Mathieu Caron

Domaine la Grangette, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cevennes region five km from the sea, was founded in the Middle Ages to grow cereal crops to feed the cavalry of the nearby castle. Much of the estate is still untouched pine forests, but they also have Picpoul vines, and are the only domaine growing all three colors – white, pink and red. RED Picpoul, huh? This is the center of the Picpoul de Pinet apellation, famous for its white wine, and red Picpoul is generally used as a blending grape for Chateuneuf du Pape wines, never as a standalone variety.  Why the hell not, I wonder? Because it makes such a cool wine - crisp and crunchy, fragrant with Morello cherry and white pepper, strawberry and Mediterranean herbs, with a juicy texture and soft tannins.