Combe Rouge Picpoul de Pinet 2025, Foncalieu – New Wine

Combe Rouge Picpoul de Pinet 2025, Foncalieu, £13.95

Les Vignobles Foncalieu is a cooperative of more than 600 growers from across the Languedoc – a result of many small village co-ops being joined together over the years – covering a considerable spread of the region’s appellations and IGPs. This bottling is from vineyard parcels on several types of terroirs, from clay-limestone soils close to the Etang de Thau lagoon to slightly more inland hillsides on sandy and gravelly soils. It’s fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats to preserve freshness.

One of only three wines to score an ‘Outstanding’ score of 95/100 in a Decanter Panel tasting of Picpoul de Pinet AOP in Spring 2026. This goes to show the quality of Foncalieu’s wines, and why we have worked with them for many years. This great value bottle shows proper Picpoul character, gorgeous texture, a wonderful freshness and real energy.

Natalie Earl: “Bright and clear in the glass and in aromas, some green apple, herbs, iodine, sea spray, lemon rind. Huge acidity, lots of Picpoul character. Some weight, but it’s pristine in fruit and in its zesty intention to refresh”.

Heather Dougherty: “Juicy lemon and lemon zest aromas, joined by scrub herbs and hay on the palate. Lingers on the finish with a hint of lime zest bitterness”.

Wieteke Teppema: “Subtle nose of citrus, white flowers and green apple. Saline and oyster shell, with bay and thyme. Lovely, subtle mix, with some weight from lees ageing”.