Domaine Reine Juliette clinging to the southern slopes of the very southernmost part of Languedoc is truly a staple producer and supplier for us.

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Initially it was all about Picpoul, that slightly saline, dry white in a tall embossed bottle that has rightfully become better known and recognised over here as the quality wine it is. Or was…

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Despite the region’s best efforts to protect the quality of what is produced; yield limits, restricting area-under-vine growth, etc., the demand from places like the UK and US has been such that the inevitable has happened and the incidence of cheaper, flavourless examples has increased. Where it used to be an easy “go-to” on a restaurant list, it has become something of a risk.

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Chardonnay did it, Muscadet did it, more recently Pinot Grigio, Marlborough and Prosecco did it and Malbec is on it’s way right now. Look out Provence, once the big box-movers get a sniff of a good thing, the price goes down along with the quality.

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Shame, and while it is true that the good producers remain such (Reine Juliette’s interpretation of this reference remains superb), the soft brand reputational damage is done and we have certainly seen demand drop a little as folk trust the word “Picpoul” less.

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Steeped as it is in history and tradition, the Domaine is nevertheless always innovating and a couple of years ago launched a rosé along the lines of those made in neighbouring Provence; impossibly pale, dry but creamy of texture with lovely fruit. Grange de Fredol Rosé is something that we are championing currently although we already have a problem in that just 6,000 bottles were made this year and I think we are having most of them.

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Brand leader Whispering Angel? Try 20 million bottles miraculously extracted from their 300ish acres of vines.

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I digress.

 

There exists a thing called Piquepoul Noir, a red grape borrowing the name of its white cousin that uncoincidentally makes wines that are light, slightly saline and work well with fish. Also, naturally a little lower in alcohol without having to be processed or diluted.

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This Domaine has some Piquepoul Noir vines and has vinified the fruit separately for the first time in 2024 creating their first incarnation of a new wine. Our activities with, and close ties to, the winery meant that we were amongst the first to learn about and be offered some of the tiny amount produced and we jumped at it after tasting a tank sample earlier this year.

 

If you were to tastualise a white Picpoul and then reproduce it as a red, you’d be close to imagining this intriguing wine. More than a hint of Pinot Noirishness but without the sweetness, and some similarities to a lighter style of Beaujolais.

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A natural, unmessed-about-with 11.5% alcohol, serve chilled or unchilled and enjoy it while you can as this wine will surely run out.

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£13 take home