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In the year 1531, the Limoux region in the south of France began producing a delicious sparkling wine that was much admired and acclaimed. Even before the discovery of Champagne, the Blanquette de Limoux was well known and sought after as France’s first sparkling wine. That tradition continues today.
The wines are grown in a region that enjoys three very different climatic influences. They converge to produce the ideal climates for the production of the grapes that are needed to produce these unique wines.
To the south, the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains provide a cool, slow ripening process that allows the grapes to develop crispness and ample acidity. The fruit from there is allowed to stay on the vine longer, nurturing on the parent for added complexity. To the west, the fruit is under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, with its natural rains and temperate humidity. Third in the trilogy of climatic influences is the Mediterranean Sea. With its warm dry winds, it assures good ripening each season with full maturity and ample degrees of sugar for a major wine. After harvest and a slow cool fermentation, the blends are made and the bottles are laid down on their sides for their secondary and final aging. The wines are left for over two years on the yeast, giving the marvelous Crémant style for which the area is justifiably famous.
The wine is robust, with tiny bubbles and a long elegant finish. It is virtually dry, with a very small dosage, but rich in texture providing a very sensual mouth feel. The blend of grapes for this unusual wine is Chardonnay, Mauzac, and Chenin Blanc in proportion to the yields of the harvest each year and the individual propensities of the wine. We only choose the very best of the wines each year for our Amplexus. It is our Tête de Cuvée! Go ahead, let it go to your head. You will be amused.
The wines are grown in a region that enjoys three very different climatic influences. They converge to produce the ideal climates for the production of the grapes that are needed to produce these unique wines.
To the south, the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains provide a cool, slow ripening process that allows the grapes to develop crispness and ample acidity. The fruit from there is allowed to stay on the vine longer, nurturing on the parent for added complexity. To the west, the fruit is under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, with its natural rains and temperate humidity. Third in the trilogy of climatic influences is the Mediterranean Sea. With its warm dry winds, it assures good ripening each season with full maturity and ample degrees of sugar for a major wine. After harvest and a slow cool fermentation, the blends are made and the bottles are laid down on their sides for their secondary and final aging. The wines are left for over two years on the yeast, giving the marvelous Crémant style for which the area is justifiably famous.
The wine is robust, with tiny bubbles and a long elegant finish. It is virtually dry, with a very small dosage, but rich in texture providing a very sensual mouth feel. The blend of grapes for this unusual wine is Chardonnay, Mauzac, and Chenin Blanc in proportion to the yields of the harvest each year and the individual propensities of the wine. We only choose the very best of the wines each year for our Amplexus. It is our Tête de Cuvée! Go ahead, let it go to your head. You will be amused.