September 14, 2023 - 0 comments
Piquette, a beverage whose name is derived from the French word "piquer," meaning to sting or prickle, boasts a rich history and a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Historically, Piquette was regarded as a humble drink, often enjoyed by vineyard workers. Its production method is a testament to sustainability and waste reduction.
Traditionally, Piquette was crafted using the leftover pomace (grape skins, seeds, and stems) from wine production. Workers would collect these discarded grape remnants and briefly soak them in water, extracting any remaining juice and flavors. Sometimes with sugar or honey being added to aid fermentation and give the drink more body.
However, with natural Piquette, no chemicals or additives are added and native yeasts present on the grape skins convert residual sugars into alcohol during fermentation, which typically takes a few days to a week. It epitomizes sustainable winemaking by making use of every part of the grape to create a drinkable beverage.
This process results in a low-alcohol content ranging from 5% to 8%, yielding a light, fruity, slightly effervescent and refreshing beverage with flavor profiles that vary based on the grape varieties used. This lighter, low cost wine was initially created as a cheaper way to offer drinks to the harvesters, and a way to stop them consuming high level alcohol while working.
Strangely, although in places like the US and Japan, Piquette has seen a high resurgence, in the EU, it is still illegal to sell. This law was passed in 1907 in France after too much Piquette was flooding the market. Piquette was eliminated to protect the wine industry from over production and decreased prices.
Piquette's has a rich history (you should read up on LORA, an identical drink that ancient Romans would give to slaves, poor people and workers) and as more wine enthusiasts discover the unique qualities of Piquette, it continues to carve out a niche in the world of wine. Let’s hope the law on Piquette in Europe is reversed as soon as possible!
This article is about:
- What is Piquette?
- Piquette was crafted using the leftover pomace.
