Picpoul de Pinet from Domain Petit Roubier is one of my favorite new finds from last summer.

Domain Petit Roubier is family owned by Floriane and Olivier Azansince 1981 and organically farmed since 1985. The winery is located in the small town of Pinet (population 1,300), which would have been totally unknown to the wine world if it wasn’t for the great white wine produced there from the Picpoul grape.

Olivier Azan is a firm believer in organic farming; his Picpoul vineyards have been free of chemicals and synthetic fertilizers for over 26 years. These happy vines are planted on a high plateau overlooking the Mediterranean; happy vines = good wine.

The Picpoul de Pinet from Dom. Petit Roubier is a pure, honest, well-crafted and exciting wine that gives great pleasure consumed as aperitif and will enhance any seafood dish, in particular raw oysters! In fact, this area is also famous for some of France’s best oysters. The 2010 Picpoul from Petit Roubier exhibits aromas and flavors of white flowers, ripe citrus, and sweet apple, the finish is clean, refreshing and long lasting. This great wine is an incredible bargain offered at $10.99.

Atanas Nechkov, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

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