Sancerre Alternative : Why Picpoul de Pinet is Worth Trying

Sancerre has always been a popular choice, especially among wine lovers in the United States. But at the moment, its fans are facing a bit of a dilemma. Prices are creeping up and finding a bottle isn’t always easy. And no, this isn’t all Taylor Swift’s fault.

There’s no doubt that this famous white wine is unique, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. But if you love its freshness, acidity and distinctive character, there are other wines worth exploring too. One of them comes from much further south. Picpoul de Pinet is a fresh and lively white from the Languedoc with plenty of acidity. It has some of the qualities that make Sancerre so appealing, while still being very much its own wine.

Why is Sancerre so expensive?

You may already know this, but it’s worth clarifying that Sancerre isn’t the name of the grape. It’s a wine appellation in the Loire Valley, best known for its white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc. Sancerre pairs particularly well with oysters and seafood in general, fish, vegetarian dishes and creamy foods, but it’s also a lovely wine to enjoy on its own, which is part of what makes it so popular.

Sancerre is a relatively small wine region, and land here is expensive. Production is also limited, which is one of the reasons demand can easily outstrip supply. Most people know Sancerre for its white wines, which are made from Sauvignon Blanc, but the appellation also produces red and rosé wines from Pinot Noir. In fact, Pinot Noir was planted in the region long before Sauvignon Blanc. It was already being grown there in the Middle Ages, while Sauvignon Blanc became more widely established much later, in the 19th century.

The reputation of the region also took time to develop. Sancerre became particularly well known internationally during the 20th century, after the appellation was officially recognised. Its white wines became famous for their distinctive combination of freshness, acidity and minerality, with the local soils playing an important role. Sancerre is known for three main soil types. Terres Blanches are predominantly limestone and clay, while Silex soils are made up of flint and Caillottes are stony limestone soils. These differences help explain why wines from different parts of the appellation can have such distinctive characters.

The vineyards themselves are also part of the story. Much of the land is made up of steep slopes, where working by hand is often necessary and mechanisation can be difficult. That naturally adds to the cost of producing the wine.

So when you put everything together, the price starts to make a little more sense. Sancerre has a strong global reputation, limited production, high demand, expensive vineyard land and labour-intensive farming. And then there is the wine itself, with a character that is difficult to reproduce somewhere else.

But this is where things get interesting. If what you love about Sancerre is that combination of freshness, acidity and a certain mineral character, do you really need to stick to it ?

An Alternative to Sancerre: Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul de Pinet isn’t Sancerre, but it can be a brilliant alternative at a much more accessible price.

Picpoul de Pinet is a small appellation in the Languedoc in the South of France. The appellation produces only white wine from Piquepoul Blanc, a grape variety that is indigenous to the region. The vineyards overlook the Mediterranean Sea and, in fact, the appellation describes its terroir as being “the sea”. It is this close relationship with the Mediterranean, in particular the Étang de Thau, a lagoon, that makes Picpoul de Pinet so unique.

While many Languedoc appellations are known for blends, Picpoul de Pinet is one of the few that focuses entirely on a single grape variety, just like Sancerre with Sauvignon Blanc. Picpoul de Pinet wines are known for being fresh, zesty, floral and mineral/iodine. Sounds familiar? That freshness is particularly interesting when you consider where the wine comes from. Keeping acidity in the hot Mediterranean climate can be a challenge, but Picpoul has a natural advantage. Its vineyards sit close to the sea, where the Mediterranean helps moderate temperatures towards the end of summer. Sea breezes and morning mists can also help to cool the vines, allowing the grapes to retain the acidity that gives Picpoul de Pinet its distinctive freshness.

And that combination of bright acidity, freshness and minerality is exactly what makes Picpoul such an interesting alternative for someone who loves Sancerre. In fact, Picpoul de Pinet is already a huge success locally, but also internationally, with around 65% of its production destined for export, the United Kingdom being a very big buyer.

When it comes to food pairings, Picpoul de Pinet is famously paired with oysters from the Étang de Thau, but it also goes really well with seafood in general, fish, goat’s cheese and creamy dishes... Again, sound familiar?

And to top it all off, Picpoul de Pinet is a much more affordable option for US wine lovers, too. On Total Wine, bottles start at around $12.99, compared with Sancerre at around $19.99, with prices climbing quickly from there. And for those of you reading from France, you have the added pleasure of exploring this lovely local appellation right on your doorstep with bottles starting at 8€!

Once again, I know Picpoul de Pinet isn’t, and never will be, Sancerre. But it is a lovely, more accessible alternative that offers the bright freshness and minerality so sought after in the Loire Valley’s famous white wines. It also has a personality all of its own, and, quite simply, it’s delicious.

So, next time you’re looking for a wine to pair with seafood or to pop open after work with friends, why not grab a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet?