Félines Jourdan `Feline` Picpoul de Pinet AOP France

Claude Jourdan

Claude Jourdan runs this estate close to Meze, the oyster capital of Southwest France. The Domaine was started in 1983 by Claude’s mother and uncle, and some of the Grenache and Carignan vines date back to then. Much of Claude's outstanding Picpoul comes from 50 year old vines from her grandfather’s vineyard about 20 kilometres away. The vineyard runs down to the Bassin de Thau lagoon, where oyster and mussel beds reminded us of Bantry Bay. This explains the superb affinity of her Picpoul de Pinet with shellfish. The moisture-laden breezes are perfect for growing grapes and keep the temperatures a good five or six degrees lower than vineyards only a kilometre away. This cooling influence gives the grapes a chance to develop some complexity.