I’ve been into wine for quite a while.
And I had never heard of piquette.
That is until I saw my friend, Jeremy Trettevik, talking about this wine style on social media.
There was Trettevik on my phone screen, speaking with great enthusiasm, holding a bottle of Frolic & Folly, the latest and greatest release from his eponymous winery, Jeremy Wine Co.
In the video, Trettevik explains piquette comes from the second pressings of the skins, seeds and stems (pomace). Here’s how it’s made: wine grapes are pressed for a traditional wine, then a little water is added to the leftover pomace. The ambient yeast initiates a natural second fermentation. The fermenting pomace goes into bins for five to six days and is punched down twice per day. Because there is less sugar in the pomace, the yeast has less “food” to consume, so the alcohol is lower. And the higher skin-to-juice ratio concentrates the acids, tannins and aromas.
The result is a light, refreshing beverage about 3 to 5 percent lower in alcohol than a traditional wine. Frolic & Folly are beautiful, fulfilling wines that won’t knock you on your keester after one glass.
“In the cellar, we’re making a lot of fun wines and we have some that are very exciting this year,” Trettevik said. “But these were the most exciting to put together because it was so different and it felt very expressive and fun.”
After watching the video, I reached out to Jeremy and he graciously invited me to visit his new winemaking facility and tasting room on Highway 88 in Lockeford just outside Lodi.
I did a little research about piquette before my visit. Though piquette was new to me, it’s been around for centuries. In France, for instance, piquette was supplied to farmhands and vineyard workers by their bosses during breaks. Piquette had enough alcohol to keep the workers happy without leaving them too inebriated to finish the day.
I had never visited Jeremy’s new Lockeford facility, so he greeted me and took me on a tour. The wine cellar and the spacious hospitality space – adorned by captivating artwork on the building’s exterior – is surrounded by Choral’s Vineyard, named for Jeremy’s wife and business partner, Choral. The 15-acre vineyard was planted in the 1930s to zinfandel and several more varieties. Formerly known as the Suess Vineyard on the edge of the Clements Hills micro-appellation, the soils are sandy with clay veins and pockets.
Fruit from Choral’s Vineyard goes into nine different wines in Jeremy’s portfolio. Trettevik also sources grapes from some of Lodi’s top growers. With assistant winemaker Sean Snell, Trettevik makes an array of high-quality wines that cover the gamut of varieties, styles and flavors.
Trettevik worked in various facets of the wine industry and had a graphic design business. He parlayed all of that experience to start Jeremy Wine Co. in 2009. From the beginning, Jeremy has brought infectious energy and passion to Lodi and has strived to make wine accessible.
So here, now, we have Frolic & Folly, Jeremy’s new lineup of piquette perfect for summer, whether grillin’ or chillin’. FYI, piquettes like to chill, too, and are especially delightful after a short spell in the cooler or fridge.
Frolic & Folly are available ($28 per 750 ml bottle; wine club $90 for five bottles) at Jeremy’s tasting rooms in Lockeford (16750 Hwy. 88) and downtown Lodi (6 W. Pine St.).
Here they are, the Frolic & Folly piquettes (all are from the 2023 vintage):
Frolic & Folly Grenache
Grower: Joey Tamura
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.4%
Gorgeous layers of aromas and flavors exhibit the essence of grenache. On the palate, you don’t get that warm alcohol effect. The aromatics and tannins are present and the acid is vibrant and refreshing.
Frolic & Folly Sangiovese
Grower: David Ceja
ABV: 11.4%
Gorgeous fruit on the nose and palate, expressive, a little more texture than the grenache. Very much a food-friendly wine.
Frolic & Folly Zinfandel
Grower: Jeremy Trettevik (Choral’s Vineyard)
ABV: 10.4%
Darker color, grippy tannins, bone dry, Earl Grey and black tea.
Frolic & Folly Zinfandel Rosè
Grower: Jeremy Trettevik (Choral’s Vineyard)
ABV: 10.4%
Picked early, so the acidity is bright and crunchy. Compressed, simple aromatics: strawberry, red cherry. Citrus, lemon, lime on the palate.
Frolic & Folly Grenache Rosè
Grower: Joey Tamura
ABV: 13.4%
On the nose, strawberry, guava and lychee. On the palate, notes of candied white peach and hints of bubblegum are balanced with a bright acidity and crisp, refreshing finish.
Leave it to Jeremy to create something new and fresh in Lodi. He never disappoints.
For those who like to experience new things or anyone who would enjoy a lower-alcohol yet satisfying glass of wine, try Frolic & Folly, an old wine style new to this wine drinker.
Jeremy Wine Co.
Tasting rooms: 16750 Hwy. 88, Lockeford; 6 W. Pine St., Lodi.
Hours: Open daily, noon to 5 p.m.
Information: jeremywineco.com, 209-367-3773, email info@jeremywineco.com.
Wines (subject to availability): 2023 Frolic & Folly (Zinfandel Piquette, Zinfandel Rosè Piquette, Grenache Piquette, Grenache Rosè Piquette, Sangiovese Piquette), Jeremiah’s Jug (available only in the tasting room), 2020 Montepulciano, 2020 Nebbiolo, 2021 Budbreak Blend V5, 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Choral Blend V6, 2021 Malbec, 2021 Teroldego, 2021 Winemakers Blend V7, 2021 Zinfandel Suess East, 2021 Zinfandel Suess South, 2023 Dry Zinfandel Rosè, 2023 Viognier, The Gentleman V8, 2020 Petite Sirah, 2021 Barbera, 2020 Alicante Bouschet, 2020 Black Label Zinfandel – Perrin, 2020 Estate Syrah, 2023 Sweet Riesling, 2022 Sweet Rosè, 2022 Sweet Viognier, 2022 Sweet Chardonnay, Lovely Red Blend V2, Chocolate Port, 2022 Orange Muscat, 2023 Bluebonnet (50% albariňo, 50% orange muscat).