Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet - Calmel & Joseph

On the nose, the wine appears crystal clear and precise. Lemon and passion fruit are clearly in the foreground, accompanied by grapefruit, a touch of fig leaf and a hint of fresh herbs such as lemon balm. The mineral vein presents itself as a fine scent of chalk and seashell, typical of the proximity to the Étang de Thau lagoon. A barely perceptible floral veil of orange blossom overlays it and brings additional elegance.

On the palate, Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet - Calmel & Joseph effortlessly continues this tension. The wine appears taut and yet silky, with lively, well-integrated acidity. It carries the citrus aromas clearly across the tongue and brings plenty of freshness into play. The texture is supple, almost creamy, without losing lightness. Yellow fruit, grapefruit and ripe lime meet a hint of pineapple and green pear. The minerality provides structure and length.

Typical for Picpoul from the Languedoc, the focus is on freshness, clarity and a fine salty note on the finish. The Picpoul Blanc grape variety originates from the sun-drenched Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France. The warm, dry climate brings ripe aromas, while the proximity to the sea cools the grapes at night. This creates a wine with intense fruit, vibrant acidity and elegant balance. The finish shows citrus zest, sea salt and a hint of almond skin, which whets the appetite for the next sip.

The Piquepoul Blanc grape variety naturally possesses firm acidity and appears very clear on the palate. In the interpretation by Calmel & Joseph it shows itself as modern, precise and animating. The style of the wine can be described as fresh, citrus-driven, mineral and silky. It is ideally suited for connoisseurs who appreciate a straightforward, juicy white wine from the south of France and who are also looking for a touch of maritime coolness.

The character and aromas of the wine can be coherently summarized as follows:

• Color: light straw yellow with a glossy core
• Nose: lemon, passion fruit, lime, grapefruit, citrus blossom
• Palate: silky, dry, citrus-fresh, with yellow fruit and salty minerality
• Style: fresh, precise, straightforward, animating
• Finish: citrus zest, sea salt, fine almond note

For which moments is this wine particularly suitable? A brief orientation helps with selection:

1. As an aperitif on warm evenings on the terrace
2. With fish and seafood in Mediterranean style
3. With light starters and aromatic salads
4. As a companion to summery cuisine with vegetables and herbs
5. As a refreshing highlight at convivial gatherings with friends

With its screw cap, Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet - Calmel & Joseph also presents itself as uncomplicated and suitable for everyday enjoyment. Nevertheless, it shows the class of a carefully produced terroir wine. The varietal bottling brings the character of Picpoul directly into the glass, without distraction from other grape varieties. The result is a white wine that clearly expresses its Languedoc-Roussillon origin and at the same time presents a fresh, modern face.

Production of Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet by Calmel & Joseph

The grapes for this wine come from selected parcels around Picpoul de Pinet in the Languedoc. Between the Mediterranean, garrigue and lagoon, the vines ripen on chalky, stony soils. During the day, the southern French sun shines intensely. At night, proximity to the Étang de Thau lagoon provides cooler air, which preserves the aromas. In this way the grapes develop ripe fruit while retaining their fresh acidity.

Picpoul, also called Piquepoul Blanc, is perfectly suited to this maritime climate. The thicker berry skin protects against heat, and the juice shows high aromatic intensity. Calmel & Joseph works with selected winegrowers who consciously limit yields. This increases the concentration in the harvested fruit. The grapes are harvested in the early morning hours. At this time, the fruit shows a pleasant temperature, which improves aroma protection in the cellar.

Selective harvesting ensures that only ripe grapes reach the press. In the cellar, gentle pressing follows to preserve the fine structure of the Picpoul grape. Depending on the vintage, the winery uses a short, cool maceration period on the skins so that more aromas can be extracted from the berry skins. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. A rather cool control of the fermentation temperature brings out the citrus notes and tropical fruit prominently.

This wine deliberately forgoes maturation in wood so that freshness and minerality take center stage. After fermentation, the young wine remains on the fine lees in the tank for some time. Gentle stirring of the lees at intervals, the so-called bâtonnage, gives the wine its seemingly silky texture. The acidity thereby appears more harmonious without losing tension. Before bottling, gentle filtration is carried out to ensure clarity and brilliance.

With the Villa Blanche line, Calmel & Joseph aims to present typical grape varieties of the Languedoc in a clear, modern form. In this Picpoul de Pinet, the focus is on the combination of freshness, maritime minerality and elegance. Every stage of production, from selective grape selection to precise maturation in stainless steel tanks, serves this style. The result is a white wine that makes the Languedoc landscape perceptible in the glass.

Serving recommendations for Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet by Calmel & Joseph

This Picpoul de Pinet is ideal as an aperitif and opens a meal with fresh, clear character. With oysters and mussels, the wine unfolds its maritime side particularly impressively. The salty minerality harmonizes wonderfully with oysters on ice, mussels in white wine broth or grilled scallops with lemon butter.

Fish dishes benefit greatly from its freshness. Pan-fried sea bass with herbs, grilled dorade, cod on a bed of vegetables or sushi and sashimi pair excellently. The citrus notes of the wine highlight the finesse of both raw and cooked fish and at the same time bring structure to the dish.

Mediterranean cuisine also offers many harmonious companions. Try it with salads featuring goat cheese, fennel and orange, with marinated prawns, with chicken breast with lemon thyme or with pasta with seafood. Vegetable dishes with zucchini, fennel, eggplant and tomato gain elegant freshness from this wine. A simple pasta with lemon zest, olive oil and herbs becomes surprisingly refined with it.

When it comes to cheese, Picpoul de Pinet makes a clear statement. Fresh goat cheeses, mild sheep’s cheeses and light soft cheeses made from cow’s milk are very good partners. The vibrant acidity cuts elegantly through the creaminess of the cheese and thus creates a harmonious balance. Tapas and small bites such as marinated olives, pickled artichokes or fish rillettes also harmonize excellently.

As a wine for convivial gatherings on the balcony, terrace or by the sea, it shows its full charm. It casually accompanies a light summer buffet, a picnic with seafood or a relaxed barbecue with fish and poultry. As a gift for lovers of fresh white wines from France, it provides shining eyes and plenty of conversation at the table.

The ideal serving temperature is about eight to ten degrees Celsius. This temperature perfectly showcases freshness, citrus fruit and minerality. A carafe is recommended only briefly, for just a few minutes, so that the aromas can open quickly. A slender, tulip-shaped white wine glass offers the delicate nose and silky texture the best frame.

When stored in a cool, dark place, the wine retains its freshness and precision for several years. In the first two to three years after bottling, however, it shows its most radiant, lively character. In this way, Villa Blanche Picpoul de Pinet by Calmel & Joseph accompanies many occasions with a southern French flair and repeatedly invites you to a new, pleasurable glance towards the Mediterranean.

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