Grenache & Picpoul, Languedoc, France 

THE essential crunchy red-white blend, a steadfast confidant in times thick and thin. Winemaker Philippe Formentin started Opi d’Aqui in 2012 after spending time working in the United States, Russia and India, and landing himself in the south of France. He sources grapes from organic and biodynamic vineyards around Languedoc, and now owns three small plots near Clermont-l’Hérault. The fruit driven grenache sees a two week long carbonic maceration to turn up the volume on the sour fruit gummy aromatics, while the floral, citric picpoul soaks on skins for a month for a more bulbous mouthfeel than you’d expect from the delicately phosphorescent colour. Dark strawberry vinaigrette, thrift store surprise leather bookmark, pepper spill, forest fruit wildness, weighty herbal tannins & a touch of mineral water effervescence. Enjoy chilled while arranging this week’s flower market selections.