Domaine La Croix Gratiot Bréchallune Picpoul de Pinet 2025
£17.95
The wine
Bright grapefruit, lemon and white flowers. The palate has an attractive, rich texture.
Bréchallune is the top Picpoul, from loam and limestone soils near Montagnac, given more time on lees than the standard bottling to build that texture. Picpoul means lip-stinger, a fair description of its natural acidity, and it is one of very few white grapes that holds acidity reliably in a hot southern climate. The appellation sits beside the Étang de Thau, which produces most of France oysters, and the pairing is a matter of geography rather than marketing.
The producer
Domaine La Croix Gratiot
View all Domaine La Croix Gratiot winesIn the sun-drenched Hérault, close to the Mediterranean lagoon of Thau, Domaine La Croix Gratiot farms a diverse patchwork of Languedoc terroirs. This is a family estate with a modern, thoughtful outlook. Its heart lies in the celebrated Picpoul de Pinet.
The vineyards spread across limestone, clay, and sandstone, each lending its own voice. Farming is careful and increasingly sustainable, and the winemaking is fresh and precise. The aim is character and drinkability in equal measure.
The range is refreshingly varied. Crisp, saline Picpoul sits beside aromatic Hérault whites, juicy Syrah, and even a rare southern Pinot Noir. Every bottle offers honest character at a welcoming price.
To open a La Croix Gratiot wine is to taste the sunny, generous side of the Languedoc. Bright, characterful, and endlessly versatile, these are wines made for sharing.
