Le Rocher de Saint Victor Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2021

Picpoul de Pinet has boomed in popularity over the past decade, and little wonder – hailing from close to the Mediterranean in the Languedoc-Roussillon, the best examples are perfect summer whites, ideal for enjoying with seafood, fresh and zingy with green fruit and citrus notes. But the increase in demand for the wines means that there are many anodyne and commercial examples being produced – it can be hard to track down Picpoul with real character. This example, which is part of Lidl's core range, isn't going to set the world alight – it has some Picpoul typicity though, fresh, simple and unoaked, and at this price it's worth trying as an introduction to the style. A safe bet if you're looking for a simple summer party white.