Debating Provençal Pairings at Acquiesce Winery
Gathering in the Acquiesce Winery tasting room with owner Susan Tipton and Susan and Towny Manfull and the wine lovers behind Provence WineZine was a joyful occasion after so much time apart. However, we were not in Lodi, California for simply a social occasion, we had some wine tasting and food pairing to do.
We descended on Sue and Rodney at Acquiesce Winery for a quick visit. It was a whirlwind weekend, and it started Friday night after we had arrived. In my classic way, I took over Sue and Rodney’s kitchen and made Provençal Feta and Sardines, and Sue and Susan chose two wines to pair, both from Acquiesce Winery: their 2020 Grenache Rosé and their 2020 Picpoul Blanc.
Cuvée: Picpoul Blanc
Appellation: Lodi Mokelumne River
Vintage: 2020
Grape Varieties: Picpoul Blanc 100%
Alcohol: 12%
Average Retail Price: U.S. $30.00
The Picpoul Blanc is a pale, straw-coloured wine that, on the nose, gives off a bit of steel or slate. On the palate, it is pleasantly acidic, with notes of citrus (grapefruit and lemon), green apple, and apricot. With the food, it takes on a bit of a floral note – I got honeysuckle. Commonly grown in the South of France, Picpoul is a grape that thrives in the hot, sunny climate. The wine is medium-bodied, well balanced, and has a soft and enticing mouthfeel. It went particularly well with the lemon zest, lavender (in the herbes de Provence), and the sweetness in the roasted tomatoes.
Cuvée: Grenache Rosé
Appellation: Lodi Mokelumne River
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 13.5%
Grape Varieties: Grenache 93%, Cinsault 7%
Average Retail Price: U.S. $28.00
The Grenache Rosé is a beautiful salmon pink colour with aromas of strawberry on the nose; it smells perfectly pink. This Provence-style rosé has the classic bright red fruits of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry on the palate, with a hint of banana. Also well-balanced, this wine coats my mouth beautifully and drinks like a summer day. I feel that the wine went particularly well with the richness of the oil-packed sardines and creamy, tangy cheese; it also worked beautifully with the herbed olive oil.
Continue reading here to find out which wine won the pairing debate.
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