EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PIQUETTES: YOUR LIFESAVER DURING THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Every time I think about Piquettes, I always think about Katherine Ryan’s Netflix Special “Glitter Room.”

The comedian talks about her nine-year-old daughter who believes that the time of day dictates what wine you drink. White wines are Day Wines, and red wines are Night Wines.

Piquettes - though they come in red, white, pink, and orange - are definitely Day Wines. But first off, you’re probably wondering —

WHAT THE HECK ARE PIQUETTES?

Piquette is a low alcohol, fizzy, bubbly beverage that is made from adding water to grape pomace. It derives its name, “Piquette,” from the French word “piqueur,” meaning “to prickle.”

HOW ARE PIQUETTES MADE?

The process begins after winemakers finish making their current vintage. They take the leftovers - a mixture of grape skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit - and add just a bit of water as what’s left of the sugars ferment.

It’s deceptively simple though, and to say making a Piquette is basically, “just add water,” isn’t quite correct. Piquettes are still vulnerable to bacterial infections if the Ph is out of balance, and sometimes winemakers add a small batch of wine to the tank or honey and sugar to give it just a little spritz from a secondary fermentation (like Champagne or Pét Nats.)

Some folks would label Piquettes as wine, but technically, they aren’t. I like to think of Piquettes as the OG version of a wine spritzer. It makes sense, since wine spritzers are just wine with some sort of sparkling water.

THE HISTORY OF PIQUETTES

Piquettes date all the way back to the Roman era, where they were enjoyed as lora. They were considered subpar wine, and would often be enjoyed by fieldworkers. Vineyard workers throughout the ages have also guzzled Piquettes after harvest, as their lower alcohol content would enable them to get back to work.

Piquettes have become more popular with the rise of the Natural Wine movement and Session Ales. (It makes sense, considering the fact that a Piquette is the ultimate Session Wine.)

WHY DRINK A PIQUETTE?

Aside having a low alcohol content and clocking in at typically 4-9% by volume, Piquettes are relatively inexpensive. You can pretty much always find a good wine in the $20.00 price range. These wines were practically made for day drinking.

Piquettes are also really great because they’re always bottled with a crown cap - basically it’s the same type of bottle cap you’d find on a bottle of your favorite soda or beer. Because of this, they’re super low-key, chill and easy to open, making them great for parties and casual daytime drinking affairs.

WHERE DO I FIND PIQUETTES?

I suggest looking for Piquettes at Natural Wine Shops or smaller, mom & pop wine stores. Some Piquettes are a bit more ubiquitous than others and I’ve seen a Piquette by Field Recordings featured at some local Whole Foods in the Los Angeles area.

PICK OF THE WEEK: MERSEL PIQUETTE 2021 $22.00 Stanleys Wet Goods

The Mersel Piquette is a sunny Summertime stunnAH from Lebanon. This refreshing little bevvie is composed of Muscat de Alexandria and an indigenous grape from Lebanon, Merwah. Merwah is one of Lebannon’s signature grapes, and its light, citrusy and sometimes nutty qualities make it super refreshing.

This happy little wine is like a salty, low ABV Aperol Spritz. Picture aromas of grapefruits and apricot soda, with some black tea-like tannins. I’ve never had a White Claw (yeah I know judge away I’m a weirdo) but I can imagine, as a Lacroix enthusiast, folks who love their bubbles with booze would go nuts for this cute little baby sparkler.

This Piquette clocks in at an ultra-low 9% ABV, making it quite a sessionable wine, perfect for lazy lounges by the pool, or pregaming for any desert music festival, be it Coachella or Burning Man. Just don’t forget sunscreen and a hat.