Blanquette de Limoux is an appellation for the sparkling wines from an area of southern France in the Pyrenean foothills

Date:   September 27, 2010

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Blanquette de Limoux is an appellation for the sparkling wines from an area of southern France in the Pyrenean foothills, just south of the town of Carcassonne. Limoux is a town at the centre of this area, and for centuries has given its name to the area’s sparkling wines. Blanquette is a name given to the Mauzac grape variety from which these wines are predominantly made. Confusingly it is also the name given to the Bourboulenc, Clairette and Ondenc varieties, which play no part in Blanquette de Limoux wines. As with several regions in the south of France, the local people claim that their sparkling wines pre-date those of Champagne, although this is always difficult to substantiate.

AOC Blanquette de Limoux wines are produced from the Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay grape varieties. Historically the proportion of Mauzac used was much greater than it is today, but the appellation laws were adjusted to allow winemakers to use a greater proportion of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, bringing a more modern style to the wines.

The region’s vineyards are higher and cooler than any other Languedoc-Roussillon appellation, and further from the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. Within the region there are distinctly different climatic zones, according to factors such as altitude, soil types, and the influence of the Atlantic or Mediterranean. This variation leads Limoux and the surrounding area to produce a style of wines entirely distinct from other Languedoc appellations, even those very nearby. The Chardonnay vines planted here are particularly valued, as they are some of the oldest in southern France.

In keeping with ancient traditions, wines are still made under the appellation Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale, which produces slightly sweeter, lower alcohol sparkling wines which are cloudy in appearance because they are left with their lees even after the secondary fermentation.

Cremant de Limoux (made from a greater percentage of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc) is produced in the zone as a modern-styled alternative to Blanquette de Limoux. Red wines and still white wines are produced in the area under the appellation AOC Limoux.

SOURCE:      http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-blanquette+de+limoux

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