Limoux - Languedoc

Nestled in the Aude Valley south of Carcassonne, Limoux lies between the plateau of Chalabrais to the west and Lacamp to the east and backs on to the foothills of the Pyrenees. 

The fame of Champagne is such that every other sparkling wine tends to be dubbed 'Champagne substitute'.  To the wine growers of Limoux this is more than unjust, because it might be fairer to say that Champagne is a Limoux substitute.  History is certainly on Limoux's side.  

Sparkling wine was already being produced in Limoux over a hundred years before the first bubbles appeared in the cellars of Reims.  The monks of St. Hilaire discovered in 1531 the process of fermentation which made still wines into sparkling wines. Limoux is steeped in history and not only praised for its white  and sparkling wines, but also for its carnival tradition and is today  the home of AOC Blanquette and Crémant.

Blanquette is made entirely from the Mauzac grape but may employ up to a maximum of 10% either  Chenin and/or  Chardonnay. The rules for Crémant state a 60% Mauzac content and the balance equally from Chenin and Chardonnay.  However, in recent year a  new AOC variety has been on the increase with its primary grape as Chardonnay.