The Festive season is approaching fast and many of us turn to a bottle or two of bubbly to celebrate and to see in the new year. Prosecco, Champagne, English sparkling wine are obvious choices, but there are many other options too. These include the increasingly popular Crémant category which is proving a great success in the UK, France and around the world. Indeed, according to the Fédération Nationale des Producteurs et Élaborateurs de Crémant, sales have increased by over 47% since 2016, growing nearly 6% between 2023 and 2024. British supermarkets have reacted strongly to this trend and one of the best options available is Morrisons The Best Crémant de Limoux Rosé!
Crémant is a sparkling wine made using the traditional method, in the same way as Champagne and most English sparkling wine, but there are several differences. Firstly, while Champagne can only be made in the French region of the same name, Crémant is made in eight different appellations in France - Alsace, Loire, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Jura, Limoux, Savoie and Die (Rhône) - and one in Luxembourg.
The name, Crémant, is derived from the French word 'cremeux', meaning creamy, a reference to the wine's historic production with a lower pressure than Champagne, making it more delicate and creamy on the palate with soft bubbles. However, today the difference may be less acute.
While there are 9 grape varieties now permitted for Champagne, with the principle ones being Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Crémant can be made from a wider variety, depending on locality, including Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and others.
Crémant must spend at least 9 months ageing on its lees, although can see 12 months or more. In contrast, non-vintage champagne must age for 15 months and vintage champagne for 3 years minimum. Unlike Champagne which may be destined for long-term ageing, Crémant is typically drunk when young.
Importantly, Crémant is often much more affordable then other traditional method sparkling wines, making it a great value option for anyone looking for good quality bubbly with a lower price tag.
Crémant de Limoux is produced around the town of Limoux in the Occitanie region of southern France, just 25km south of the medieval fortified city of Carcassone. The main grapes permitted are Chardonnay and Chenin (maximum 90%), plus Pinot Noir and Mauzac (maximum 40%, with no more than 20% Mauzac).
Vineyards, which lie in the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees, benefit from a mix of Mediterranean and Oceanic climates with cooling influences from sea and mountain breezes plus the warmth of the Mediterranean sunshine. Soils are diverse, but predominantly clay-limestone with rocky/sandstone outcrops, providing a mix of good drainage and moisture retention.
Blanquette de Limoux is now made using the traditional method, while Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale is a separate designation.
In 1531, the first sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux, was accidentally produced by Benedictine monks at Saint Hilaire Abbey. The wine was bottled before fermentation finished, perhaps due to winter weather conditions, prior to the yeast 'waking up' when temperatures climbed again. This method of production, known as 'ancestral method' or méthode ancestrale created bubbles naturally and predates the traditional method. So, the region can probably claim to have produced sparkling wine before it was made anywhere else, even if it took another century for England's Christopher Merret to first detail controlled secondary fermentation in bottle, the process that subsequently led to Champagne.
Morrisons The Best Crémant de Limoux Rosé is produced in partnership with Sieur d'Arques from hand-harvested grapes and has spent 12 months ageing in bottle on its lees.
You can find more information on the Limoux AOC and the different styles of wine made in the region here.
🍇 Grapes: Chardonnay 43%, Chenin Blanc 34%, Pinot Noir 23%.
🎚️ ABV: 12.5%.
🍬 Residual Sugar: 8g/L.
🔍 Appearance: Clear salmon pink.
👃 Nose: Notes of red apple, strawberry and raspberry with a floral touch.
😋 Palate: Light and fresh with notes of red apple, red berries and a creamy touch of strawberry mousse plus hints of blood orange and subtle earthy spice.
🍽️ Food Pairings: Great for drinking on its own or as an aperitif, this could also pair well with light snacks and canapés like smoked salmon blinis, as well as king prawns, chicken or vegetarian samosas, cold cuts and red berry desserts.
💳 Price: £12.75 (£10.00 with a More card until 1st January 2026).
So, if you want some festive fizz that's a little different from the more usual choices, then Morrisons The Best Crémant de Limoux Rosé is a good, affordable option. Cheers!
