Gen Z Wine Challenge: Lauren, 23
In a new Decanter series, 18- to 29-year olds around the world give their honest opinion about a wine they've splashed out on – and if it was worth the cash.
My name is Lauren and I’m 23 years old. I’m currently studying for a Master's in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
After a long day of academic endeavours, sharing a bottle of wine to reflect on such heavy topics has some appeal. A glass of wine has become a reliable companion over these years of study.
Before this I spent a year living in Paris – the capital of a country that thrives on its reputation for wine. Interestingly, I found that everyday wine in France and in Ireland was not so different (at least not in my circles).
Paris is now my main residence, and where I sought out my bottle for this Decanter challenge. For me, the choice of wine is always a no-brainer: it’s red wine for aperitif, for dinner or for a night out! Having grown up in Bordeaux, one might explain the other…
I am also very grateful for having two parents who work in wine. They’d kindly leave out a box of bottles they didn’t want for me to sample. Cheap red wine has always been my calling.
Lauren's Gen Z Wine Challenge bottle
Yannick Pelletier, Pennard, Vin de France NV
Grapes: Grenache and Carignan
Alc: 13.5%
Available: €15 La Vincaillerie
Interesting fact: Yannick Pelletier is based in St-Chinian, in France's Languedoc region, where he makes a non-conformist range of certified organic, minimal intervention wines (like this one) that often fall outside appellation rules so are designated Vin de France. This is an old-vine blend of three vintages (2020, 2021 and 2022) made in a solera system, with the finished wine aged in concrete tanks.
Why I chose it
Ahead of a board games evening, a friend and I headed to a local wine merchant – Cave à la Bastille in Paris’ 11th arrondissement – where the staff were very helpful in talking us through the selection.
There was such a variety of choices, we found ourselves captivated by the bottle labels – and specifically the wine names. We spent about 40 minutes trying to decide on ‘the one’.
There were some close contenders such as Pablo est au Bar (Pablo is at the Bar), L’art d’être Heureux (The Art of being Happy), L’Oiselet (Little Bird) and Les Vieux de la Vielle (The Old Guard). Every bottle was a unique proposition, offering a distinctive experience to enhance the night ahead.
The bottle we eventually chose, from Yannick Pelletier in the Languedoc, was a non-vintage Grenache-Carignan blend called Pennard. Pennard is French wordplay between peinard (laidback, relaxed and carefree) and pinard (slang for a cheap red quaffing wine). And it only cost €10!
In looking for a wine for a games night with a friend, Lauren had a tough choice deciding between some close contenders, each with with distinctive cuvée names.
What it tasted like
After getting back home, we poured and swished the wine in our glasses, smelling it first then leaving it to settle before our second sniff. Fresh, fruity and herbaceous.
When we tasted it, we described it as ‘full bouche’ – mouthfilling with nice tannins – with a bubbly tang at the end. The wine merchant had told us that some producers were following this trend to make wines more accessible.
It was surprising but perfect for an apéro, the spritz giving you a friendly tickle, essential for a games night. As a wine to have with dinner, it might be a bit too light but, then again, that might just be us.
As we played our trivia game of Trou Noir, the wine flowed almost as quickly as our conversation. A lovely bottle at an accessible price.
Up for the Challenge?
Are you aged between 18 and 29 and want to take part in Decanter's Gen Z Wine Challenge? Email us at editor@decanter.com to introduce yourself and tell us why we should pick you. We are especially keen to hear from people living outside the UK, so don't be shy – drop us a line today!
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