France > Languedoc > Picpoul de Pinet > Zazou
Picpoul de Pinet vineyards on their sandy limestone soils
In 118 BC, shortly after the Roman victory in the Punic Wars against Hannibal's Carthage, general Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus built the Via Domitia, a military road linking Italy with Rome's new Spanish possessions. The road ran (and still runs) right through the vineyards of Pinet in the Herault Departement of coastal Languedoc. Today, the region is known for its eponymous Picpoul de Pinet, a delightfully refreshing white grape variety that produces a crisp and elegant wine.
Picpoul (Piquepoul) de Pinet was first mentioned in the literature in 1618, but the variety is undoubtedly older than that. Zazou Picpoul is produced by the Cave de l'Ormarine, which dates its origin to the original association of 53 growers who came together in 1922 to focus on the Picpoul grape and improve the quality of the region's wines. Granted VDQS status in 1954, it was elevated to AOC Picpoul de Pinet in 1985. Today, the AOC includes some 1400 hectares of vineyard just inland from the Thau Lagoon around the village of Pinet, in east-central Languedoc just inland from the Mediterranean.
“Picpoul, meaning ‘lip-stinger’, signifying the high acidity of its must, was cited as a producer of good quality wine as early as the 17th Century.”
Languedoc Appellations Controlees, showing Picpoul de Pinet
The Zazous were part of a subculture in France during and after World War Two. They were young people who expressed their individuality by wearing garish clothing and listening to Jazz music. They rebelled against the conformity and conservatism imposed by the Nazis occupying France during the Second World War. A major aspect of this subculture was the embracing of Black American jazz music. The Zazous probably took their name from a line in a song ‘ Zah Zuh Zah’ by the American jazz musician Cab Calloway. Zazou, the wine, is a take on originality and non conformity to explore wine outside common boundaries.
Zazou Picpoul de Pinet
The vineyards of Picpoul lie on a limestone plateau basking in the rising sun, covered with perfumed garrigue, and scattered pine groves. Zazou comes from pure limestone soils on a slope open to the Mediterraneans warm breezes.
Fruit is selected in the vineyard then again at the cellar. Grapes are harvested at night to preserve the freshness and fruity aromas, then cold macerated, fermented at low temperature and stored in thermo-regulated vats prior to filtration and bottling on the estate.
Color: light yellow and bright with greenish highlights.
Nose: generous, white peach and citrus.
Palate: balance and liveliness dominate, revealing delicate citrus notes and a typical varietal finish with great acidity.
Pairing: its feshness and unique acidity will pair well with any salty fare such as shellfish, seafood and grilled fish. It is a perfect match with oysters. It will also pair well with strong cheeses and charcuterie.