In the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees near the historic walled city of Carcassonne, lies the Languedoc-Roussillon appellation of Limoux. Mediterranean and Atlantic influences contribute sunshine, cooling winds and enough rain to ripen grapes for both still and sparkling wines. Vineyards, covering an area of around 2000 hectares, are planted typically between 100 and 450 metres above sea level on stony clay-limestone soils.
Sparkling wine has been made in the Limoux region of south-west France, long before Christopher Merret and Dom Pérignon wet their whistles. While grapes have been grown in the region since Roman times, it was at Saint-Hilaire Abbey in 1531 that Benedictine monks first discovered sparkling wine, probably by accident. It is said that a winter drop in temperature halted fermentation of their still white wine, until the springtime when warmer temperatures caused the monks' wine to begin refermenting in bottle … and so French fizz was born!
Blanquette, which means 'small white', is the local term for the native Mauzac grape variety, named for the fine white down which forms on its leaves. Notes of apple skin and freshly cut grass are typical characteristics of wines made from Mauzac.
Blanquette de Limoux is a distinctive sparkling wine style, made by the traditional method. Composed of at least 90% Mauzac and a maximum of 10% Chardonnay and/or Chenin Blanc, the wine must spend a minimum of nine months on its lees. Depending on the amount of dosage, styles range from dry to medium.
There are two other sparkling wines from Limoux. One is Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale, made entirely from Mauzac, in a lower alcohol and sweeter style. The other is the more modern and internationally appealing Crémant de Limoux, where the emphasis is on Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
We may have toasted the end of another COVID-ridden year with a bottle or two of bubbly, but that's no reason not to enjoy some fizz in January too! According to statistics, such as those published by Statista, there is growing interest among UK consumers in reducing meat consumption. British supermarkets are embracing Veganuary and this includes providing a range of vegan-friendly wines. Among Tesco's award-winning wines is a Blanquette de Limoux that earned a International Wine & Spirit Challenge (IWSC) Bronze 2021.
Made from 90% Mauzac and 10% Chenin Blanc, all grapes are hand-harvested and only the first top quality pressing is used for this blend. The wine is made by Sieur d'Arques, a cooperative of wine producers dating back to 1946 and is aged in bottle for 12 months. ABV is 12.5%.
Tesco Finest 1531 Blanquette de Limoux costs £9.50.
Appearance: Straw yellow with fine bubbles.
Nose: Aromatic and floral with notes of spring flowers 💐, apple 🍏 and caramel.
Palate: Notes of white peach, green apple 🍏, honey 🍯 and toasted brioche.
Food match: Ideal as an apéritif, but would be great served with scallops or other seafood 🦐.
