Saturday lunch at Entourage Downers Grove
We lunched at Entourage, DG and continue to marvel at how good their food creations are - every entree carefully and artfully prepared for delicious creations.
Today, we both ordered the Daily Special, Parmesan crusted Baked Cod with Piccata, tomatoes and arugula, with crisp fried potatoes. It was delicious.
The Entourage wine list offer a selection of WBTG - wines by the glass so we each ordered a glass of our choice for a food wine pairing.
Linda ordered her usual favorite selection which we have featured often in these pages, Kokomo Chardonnay - featured in these blogposts - Lunch/Dinner Redux at Entourage DG and Kokomo Chardonnay at Entourage DG, and WBTG dining at Entourage DG.
I tried a selection new to the wine list … an interesting wine from an obscure varietal grape for an ideal summer sipper!
Flores Picpoul de Pinet Languedoc Roussilion 2024
For my wine pairing I selected this Picpoul de Pinet, a crisp, zesty white wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. This is made exclusively from the ancient Picpoul Blanc grape, it’s nicknamed "lip-stinger" for its mouth-watering acidity.
Amazingly, the Languedoc-Roussillon is in fact the largest wine producing region of France with roughly 584,400 acres producing about 25% of France’s total wine production coming from the Languedoc (“long-dock”) and Roussillon. Historically, wine grape cultivation and winemaking in the region dates all the way back to the second century, as grapes were first planted in 125 BC near the Roman colony Narbo, or modern day Narbonne, in the production zone of Corbières.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region stretched from the Rhone to the Pyrenees. The population centers of Languedoc-Roussillon is the urban areas on the coastal plain, notably around Montpellier, Nimes and Perpignan. These old cities were points on the land route along the Mediterranean coast between France and Spain and Italy and Spain. Montpellier, the regional capital, is the 8th largest city in France, and has history dating back over 1000 years.
The Languedoc wine region has 23 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée or Protégée (AOCs/AOPs), covering about 16% of production. Wines that don’t fit into this quality tier may be classified as Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) selections.
The broad regional appellation Languedoc AOC forms the base of the classification system and covers red, white and rosé wines. Producers that use this designation may blend wine made with grapes from both Languedoc and Roussillon.
Within the Languedoc AOC are 10 subappellations that include Minervois, which produces red, white and rosé wines; Corbières (red, white, rosé); Terrasses du Larzac (red); Pic Saint Loup (red, rosé); and Saint-Chinian (red, white, rosé) and this wine’s source Picpoul de Pinet (white) .
Amazingly, the Languedoc-Roussillon is in fact the largest wine producing region of France with roughly 584,400 acres producing about 25% of France’s total wine production coming from the Languedoc (“long-dock”) and Roussillon. Historically, wine grape cultivation and winemaking in the region dates all the way back to the second century, as grapes were first planted in 125 BC near the Roman colony Narbo, or modern day Narbonne, in the production zone of Corbières.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region stretched from the Rhone to the Pyrenees. The population centers of Languedoc-Roussillon is the urban areas on the coastal plain, notably around Montpellier, Nimes and Perpignan. These old cities were points on the land route along the Mediterranean coast between France and Spain and Italy and Spain. Montpellier, the regional capital, is the 8th largest city in France, and has history dating back over 1000 years.
The Languedoc wine region has 23 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée or Protégée (AOCs/AOPs), covering about 16% of production. Wines that don’t fit into this quality tier may be classified as Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) selections.
The broad regional appellation Languedoc AOC forms the base of the classification system and covers red, white and rosé wines. Producers that use this designation may blend wine made with grapes from both Languedoc and Roussillon.
Within the Languedoc AOC are 10 subappellations that include Minervois, which produces red, white and rosé wines; Corbières (red, white, rosé); Terrasses du Larzac (red); Pic Saint Loup (red, rosé); and Saint-Chinian (red, white, rosé) and this wine’s source Picpoul de Pinet (white) .
There are also 5 commune or village appellations: Minervois-La-Livinière, Corbieres Boutenac and La Clape, Faugères and Fitou, 4 sweet wine appellations. The best-known is Muscat de Frontignan, and 3 sparkling wine appellations, all in Limoux: Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale.
The Languedoc and Roussillon warm, dry Mediterranean climate is defined by hot summers and mild temperatures throughout the rest of the year. Heat and sun might otherwise overripen grapes, but top vineyard sites stay cool thanks to their elevation and coastal breezes from the Atlantic and/or Mediterranean.
Ancient geological soils are varied, complex layers ranging from clay and limestone to schist, granite, marls and sandstone. Many of the regions’ top wines come from the rocky soils of mountain foothills.
This label is from Florensac, one of the oldest vineyard sites on the French Mediterranean Coast. Today, les Vignerons de Florensac (winegrowers of Florensac) consists of a collaborative of 260 growers.
This Picpoul de Pinet is 100% varietal Piquepoul, literally translated, Picpoul means “stings the lip,” referring to the grape’s naturally high acidity which produces wines with great brightness.
Picpoul de Pinet displays flavors of lemon and saline, white blossoms and wet stones.These wines are light to medium bodied, bone dry, have mouth watering acidity, and typically a moderate alcohol level. They’re an excellent, affordable alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Picpoul de Pinet boasts s bright, bone dry palate with a light body, sharp acidity, and subtle minerality. The refreshing wine is ideal for the Mediterranean climate, or hot summers here, a perfect wine for pairing with delicate seafood dishes or simply sipping. Described as “clean,” is a true expression of the grape stands out. Picpoul is rarely oaked, so the taste is a pure, unadulterated flavor of the wine. Its aromas and flavors are simple, honest, and untouched by outside factors like oak, additives, or other grapes.
With lip-stinging acidity, this wine is highly desirable for pairing with acidic and or fatty dishes such as seafood, fresh oysters, even fried chicken.
Decanter Tasting Panel rated this label 94 points.
Producer’s tasting notes - “Pale yellow color with bright green highlights. Fresh, fruity nose marked by notes of lemon and grapefruit. Lively and fresh on the palate, revealing a beautiful richness supported by lemony flavors. Good length.”
