In Mèze, the Félines Jourdan estate and its wines go so well with the sea spray

The vines of the Félines-Jourdan estate extend as far as the Etang de Thau. The association with seafood is therefore completely natural. Free Midi – Patrice Espinasse

At the head of the Félines Jourdan estate for almost 30 years, in Mèze, Claude Jourdan puts all his love into developing picpouls which go very well with seafood. To be tasted this Saturday, May 4 , at the halls of Sète.

Le Mourre Blanc, the largest shellfish port in the Mediterranean, is only three hundred meters away as the crow flies. We could reach it by cutting through the vines.

In Mèze, the marriage between Picpoul-de-Pinet from the Félines Jourdan estate and seafood is here in a very short circuit. It seems that all the wines of the appellation hang towards the pond, here we have visual proof.

On the edge of the Thau lagoon, Claude Jourdan lovingly produces wines saluting the Thau lagoon to the rising and setting sun. Wines naturally characteristic of their terroir, which benefit from sea spray and their freshness.“Fairly ripe picpouls, which allow for more nose, perfume and roundness, not very acidic and tense, explains the winemaker. When the heat gets stronger, the wetlands and the trade winds cool the vines."

It has now been almost 39 years since Claude Jourdan took over the reins of the estate. But the family passion for wine goes back much further. Félines-Jourdan joined the family in 1983, when Claude's mother and uncle bought a small part of a historic estate separated into four, including Belle-Mare, the immediate neighbor. "My mother saw the AOC being built and always believed in it".

On 96 hectares, including 50 in picpoul

Since 1995, the winegrower has also experienced all the developments of the appellation, from the transition from Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieur (VDQS) to AOC Coteaux-du-Languedoc – picpoul (1985), then AOC picpoul-de-pinet in 2013 and finally AOP in 2017. Its domain has also evolved well. After two buyouts, the estate today produces wine on 96 hectares. "It’is the largest family estate in private cellars in the appellation", specifies Claude Jourdan.

But the picpoul remains king. Fifty hectares of the piquepoul grape variety produce it. And two vintages came from it: the classic, ideal for seafood and as an aperitif, and Patience, including the plot selection of ripe grapes and aging on fine lees for six months in vats. stainless steel invites you to venture towards a grilled fish.

And if you want to find out more, meet on Saturday, at 11 a.m., at the Halles de Sète.

Of the twenty-three private cellars and four cooperative cellars in the Picpoul-de-Pinet appellation, six are located in Mèze: the estates of Belle Mare, Creyssels, Font-Mars, Morin -Langaran, the Saint-Laurent farmhouse and, therefore, the Félines Jourdan estate.

Oysters and picpoul are invited for a free tasting at the halles de Sète, Saturday May 4

As part of the rapprochement between Picpoul-de-Pinet and the Mediterranean Regional Shellfish Committee (CRCM), the ‘’young newlyweds’’ are organizing a free tasting this Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Halles de Sète. The Pomerols cellar and the Félines Jourdan estate will represent the wine appellation. On the oyster farming side, Alicia Roques (Coquilles d’Oc) and Vanessa Regnier (La Marseillaise), who will offer their production.

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