Picpoul de Pinet: Domaine de Fabregues Haiku White

The Languedoc, though often referred to loosely as a single entity, is not a wine appellation in its own right but a broad Mediterranean region encompassing a wealth of individual appellations. Traditionally, labels carried the specific titles of Languedoc AOC and its numerous sub-regions, from Corbières and Minervois to Pic Saint-Loup and Faugères. Since January 2016, the historic Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions have been administratively merged into Occitanie, France's newest region. Stretching along the coast from the Rhône towards the Spanish border, the Languedoc is one of France's largest and most diverse wine-producing areas.

One of the Languedoc's most distinctive white-wine appellations, set along the Bassin de Thau, a coastal lagoon near the Mediterranean in the Hérault. Made exclusively from the ancient Piquepoul Blanc grape (prized for retaining fresh acidity even in a warm climate), it grows on varied, largely limestone soils around the commune of Pinet. Praised as far back as the 14th century and elevated to AOC status in 1990, the appellation produces crisp, dry, and aromatic whites with zesty citrus, green fruit, and a saline, mineral freshness.