Picpoul de Pinet report 2023: Latest releases tasted

Golden yellow in colour, the aromas span ripe pineapple and candied lemon peel to creamy leesy richness, followed by intensely salty lemons. The characteristic salty impression is strong here, making this mouthwatering, appetising and every so delicious. With its weighty mouthfeel, its ripe citrus and stone fruit character, and its honeyed complexity, this would work well at the table. It still has a fresh lick of lime and grapefruit to keep it zesty, too. Yum.

Golden flecks in the glass. Bold, alluring and complex aromas swirl from the glass, showcasing notes of candied peel, melon, dried mango, and tinned pineapple, with touches of hay and oatmeal. It's ripe, opulent and creamy. Concentrated, intense, and impressive. This still has lots of acidity and freshness, but is perhaps not as saline as the variety can sometimes seem. Flamboyant, but successful.

Open and inviting peachy, creamy aromas, with subtle touches of lemon rind and distinct floral notes. Lovely concentration of lemon zest with a touch of candied peel. Ripe but ever so tasty, with that gentle saline breeze on the finish.

Creamy lemony aromas meld seamlessly into pure citrus flavours, where lip-smacking, mouth-puckering acidity is balanced by ripe fruit, citrus peel and tinned pineapple.

A classically styled Picpoul de Pinet that ticks all the boxes: citrus and white stone fruit aromas and a really ripe and delicious palate. It’s concentrated, super succulent, tangy and mouthwatering.

Lovely golden, sunshine-infused notes of peach flesh, nectarine, lemon rind and honey on the nose, indicating a riper, richer style. Soft and sensuous, full-bodied and rich, this is a tender expression of the more serious style of Picpoul de Pinet. The palate is still zippy and mouth watering, saline and lip smacking. This really gets you salivating.

Ripe stone fruit aromas, spanning peach, pineapple and yellow apple. It’s tangy and tactile on first attack, then the creaminess takes over giving a rounded feel. The lemon acidity then sweeps in and washes away the creamy ripeness, leaving a limey, lemony lick. It's warm and sunny in aroma, so the palate surprises with its freshness and salinity.

Bold and concentrated confit lemon aromas with creamy depths and candied peel, even some orange and pineapple too. There's weight on the palate and a soft texture, less salinity and zing and more plushness.

Retailing for under £10 in the UK, you’ll struggle to find better value classic Picpoul de Pinet than this racy, refreshing number from Domaine Félines Fourdan. There’s good purity of lemon fruit on the nose, followed by wildflower honey and touches of blossom and oatmeal. The palate is really succulent and tasty, showing sweet ripe fruit and candied lemon peel balanced by salty, wet stones and a hint of wild fennel.

Aromas of lemon balm, white blossom and peach, followed by a palate that’s more on the green and citrus fruit rather than rich ripe stone fruit. Good concentration of flavour and a hearty dose of salinity.

Yellowy golden in colour, with open opulent aromas of pineapple, vanilla and nectarine. A bite of sour lemon on the first attack is followed by weighty richness, sweet ripeness, and soft finish. Good concentration.

Delicate aromas of lemon rind mix with a subtle note of flint and stuck match. In the mouth it’s juicy, a touch herbal, mineral, and taut in texture, with a chalky, saline finish.

Made for Tesco by the Costières de Pomerols (Beauvignac) cooperative, this has pretty blossom, lemon and lime aromas, followed by a green apple-laced palate that’s tangy, fresh, salty and tasty. This does its job well.