Troon Vineyard, Applegate Valley (Oregon) 2022

Jul 26, 2023

By Norm Roby

 If you too don’t know what a piquette is, here’s the background: “It is frugal farmer fizz, a type of natural wine that has been made for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.  Those frugal farmers wasted nothing.  They would add water to the juice and skins left after pressing the wines they sell to make wine for themselves and their workers.”  This Troon 2022 is more like a Pet-Nat with good body, alcohol and flavor.  But it is still unusual being made from rehydrated skins from several varieties, mainly reds destined for Roses.  Winemaker Walls adds: “The remaining skins are rehydrated overnight in the press where it is pressed again the following morning.  Then, a day or two later, the next lot of fruit comes into the winery that will also end up in the piquette.”  And on and on.  The result is a wine with an orange tinge and very fruity with pleasing slightly fizzy flavors.  It captures some apple and fresh herbs which remain vibrant on the palate, but in an easy going manner.           

Country / Region

Oregon

Appellation

Applegate Valley

Grape Variety

Color

Sparkling

Vintage

2022

Score

90

Price

US $ 25.00

Producer

Troon Vineyard