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Picpoul wine variety in Australia

This variety is from the Languedoc and Provence Regions of France. See De Long's Wine Map of France

Naming variations and related varieties

The French spelling of the variety is Piquepoul, but Picpoul or Picpoul Blanc is more commonly used name in Australia.

Other spellings include Piccapoule, Picquepoulle, Piquepout etc. There is a similar but unrelated Catalan variety Picapoll Blanco. However the rare Spanish Picapoll Negra is actually a clone.

There are three different colour clones of Picpoul - Blanc, Gris and Noir. The gris is very rare, and the vast majority of plantings are of the Blanc clone.

Picpoul de Pinet is a French AOC region on the Mediterranean Coast where the wine is a crisp dry white based on Picpoul.

Picpoul producers in Australia

Coriole Picpoul from the McLaren Vale region

There are just a few at the moment, but we are sure to see more over the next couple of years.

Borrowed Cuttings Central Ranges Zone
Charles Melton Barossa Valley
Coriole McLaren Vale
Horner Hunter Valley
Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale
Symphony Hill Wines Granite Belt
Yangara Estate McLaren Vale

Updated on 19 October 2021

You can try a Piquepoul as part of the mixed dozen of New Wave Awakenings Whites.

The taste of Picpoul

The wines from this variety are crisp dry with a good acidity. They make ideal accompaniments to oysters or tapas style snacks. Otherwise try them with more substantial seafood dishes such as fish soup or brandade (Salt cod with creamed potatoes and garlic).

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Details here