Blanquette De Limoux (10 Charming Bottles, Prices, Food Pairings)

Blanquette de Limoux is an appellation for elegant sparkling white wine in the Languedoc region in southern France. 

What’s most interesting is that it is the first French sparkling white wine, created much before Champagne. 

These delightful wines come with crisp, clean, and fresh flavors with distinctive apple aromas.

In this article, we’ll explore the Blanquette De Limoux AOC and styles, the 10 best bottles (with tasting notes), food pairings, winemaking, terroir, and more.

The Blanquette De Limoux AOC And Styles

The Blanquette de Limoux region is one of France’s oldest wine-producing regions, with wine trade records dating back to the Roman occupation of the region (between 9 BC to 17 AD).

There are three sparkling wine styles produced in the Blanquette de Limoux appellation:

• Blanquette de Limoux: Sparkling white wine made from at least 90% Mauzac and no more than 10% Chardonnay and (or) Chenin Blanc

• Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale: Sweet sparkling white wine made from 100% Mauzac 

• Crémant de Limoux: A sparkling white wine blend with up to 90% Chardonnay and Chennin Blanc and some Pinot Noir and Mauzac

The 10 Best Blanquette De Limoux Bottles

Here are the 10 best Blanquette de Limoux bottles and their tasting notes:

• 2018 Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Brut
• 2015 Sieur d'Arques Blanquette de Limoux Premiere Bulle N1 Fuschia Brut 
• 2011 Domaine Delmas Blanquette de Limoux Cuvee Tradition
• Antech Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale Esprit de Bulles Doux 
• 2015 Domaine Rosier Blanquette de Limoux Cuvee Jean Philippe Brut
• 2014 Gerard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux Cuvee Thomas Jefferson Brut 
• 2014 Sieur d'Arques Toques et Clochers Crémant de Limoux
• 2016 Antech Cremant de Limoux 'Emotion' Rose
• Paul Mas 'Cote Mas' Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale 
• 2013 Antech Cremant de Limoux Elixir Millesime

1. 2018 Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Brut ($13)

This Mauzac-based wine has a bright and clean nose of green apple and lemon aromas. On the palate, you’ll also notice fresh fruit flavors and hints of pear and brioche. 

2. 2015 Sieur d'Arques Blanquette de Limoux Premiere Bulle N1 Fuschia Brut ($28)

This 2015 Blanquette de Limoux is a dry white wine with fresh, crisp green apple and pear flavors and lemon notes. The palate also showcases a luscious creamy texture and fine bubbles. 

3. 2011 Domaine Delmas Blanquette de Limoux Cuvee Tradition ($22)

This vintage’s grapes are harvested by hand from the Campgrand, Espilies, and Le Pech vineyards. The wine has a pale, whitish color and a charming palate with notes of Acacia flowers and fruity, fresh elegance. 

4. Antech Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale Esprit de Bulles Doux ($19)

This is a single varietal wine with fresh fruit aromas and honey notes. The palate features fine bubbles, classic apple flavors and fresh elegance. This wine pairs perfectly with fruit-based desserts.

5. 2015 Domaine Rosier Blanquette de Limoux Cuvee Jean Philippe Brut ($12)

This sparkling wine has a pale lemon color and a yellow tint. The palate offers a beautiful bouquet of delicious fruit flavors, hints of dry sea salt, and a long, toasty finish.

6. 2014 Gerard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux Cuvee Thomas Jefferson Brut ($22)

The Chardonnay grape is the most prominent ingredient in this AOC Limoux blend, contributing to the Cremant’s well-balanced, luscious creamy texture and delicious pear flavour.

7. 2014 Sieur d'Arques Toques et Clochers Cremant de Limoux ($33)

This beautifully-crafted Crémant de Limoux offers creamy green apple flavors and a hint of minerality. This Cremant can be served as an aperitif or alongside delicious party snacks.

8. 2016 Antech Cremant de Limoux 'Emotion' Rose ($20)

This 2016 vintage is a rare Rose blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac, and Pinot Noir. On the nose, there are pronounced strawberry and citrus fruit aromas. The palate is just as refreshing with creamy raspberry flavors. 

9. Paul Mas 'Cote Mas' Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale ($18)

Made through the oldest sparkling winemaking method, this French white wine is characterized by fruity freshness and juicy grapefruit notes. This wine is also incredibly light, easy to drink, and makes the perfect aperitif.

10. 2013 Antech Cremant de Limoux Elixir Millesime ($28)

This is a complex wine that has distinct white spring flower, pear, and biscuit aromas. The creamy palate is fragrant with hints of roasted fruit flavors and nuts. 

Blanquette De Limoux Food Pairings

Blanquette de Limoux wines have distinct green apple flavors that pair excellently with apple-based dishes like:

• Apple cake
• Apple pie
• Apple crumble
• Apple compote

You can also pair a glass of Blanquette de Limoux with chicken or fish tacos, flavored fried foods, and moules-frites (French mussels.)

Blanquette De Limoux Winemaking

Blanquette de Limoux wines are made through the traditional method, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle.

Here are the stages in the Blanquette De Limoux winemaking process:

• Primary fermentation: The winemaker adds yeast to the Cuvee, and the sugars ferment into alcohol.

• Secondary fermentation: The winemaker puts the base Cuvee in bottles with yeast and sugar. In the bottle, the yeast feeds on this sugar and releases carbon dioxide, resulting in the distinct bubbly texture. The winemaker then removes the dead yeast (lees) from the bottle.

The resulting sparkling wine is fresh and dry with a pleasant "yeasty" edge.

Blanquette De Limoux Terroir and Vineyards

The Limoux vineyards are situated at around 200–500 meters (650–1640 ft) above sea level, away from the humid conditions of the Mediterranean. 

As a result, the vineyard plots have the lowest temperatures in Southern France.

The cool climate conditions are perfect for the slow, even ripening of the region’s white wine grapes. 

Interestingly, it’s the region’s Chardonnay vine that’s particularly valued, as it’s one of the oldest and most sought-after vines in the south of France. 

Ready to buy one of these delightful sparklers?

Blanquette De Limoux: A Delicious Sparkling Wine Suitable For Any Occasion! 

Blanquette de Limoux is a traditional and distinctive wine made mainly from the local grape variety Mauzac.

The elegant spring flower notes, crisp green apple flavors, and inviting Limoux bubbles make these wines an irresistible tipple. 

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