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A.O.P. Limoux
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| Limoux is best known for its sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux. This is reputed to be the oldest sparkling wine in France and dates back to 1531 when Benedictine monks from Saint Hilaire Abbey discovered that the wine they had laid down had fermented and formed bubbles. This was the beginning of Limoux’s bubbly - the Blanquette de Limoux which was the first
AOP to be created in the Languedoc area. The process (the locals say) was stolen by Dom Perignon who went on to create ‘champagne‘. however the Limoux sparkling wine is a very high quality champagne substitute and Crémant, which was developed in 1990, has a top class reputation. |
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All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
= Red Wine |
= White Wine |
 = Blanquette, Sparkling Wine |
= Organic Wine |
= Rosé |
= Muscat, Natural
Sweet Wine |
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Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc in southwestern France. Limoux wine is produced under four Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOP) designations:
Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette méthode ancestrale, Crémant de Limoux and Limoux, the first three of which are sparkling wines and dominate the production around Limoux. The main grape of the region is the Mauzac, locally known as Blanquette, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin blanc.
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In 2005, the Limoux AOP was created to include red wine production consisting of mostly Merlot.
Local wine historians believe that the world's first sparkling wine was produced in this region in 1531, by the monks at the abbey in Saint-Hilaire.
As well as the sparkling version there is a Limoux
Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOP) which is a white wine made from Chardonnay, Chenin and Mauzac grape varieties, often with a woody flavour.
AOP Limoux is a relatively new appellation (created in 2003) for the red and white wines from the area around the town of Limoux an area in the Pyrenean foothills of France. The area is better known for its sparkling wines made under the Blanquette de Limoux and Cremant de Limoux appellations.
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 appellations of the region, even those very nearby like Corbieres.
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The red wines are made predominantly from Merlot (at least 50% of any
AOP Limoux blend), complemented by a wide variety of other red varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. This rather eclectic mix of French red wine varieties produces lighter red wines than are found in most of the Languedoc, as they are produced in higher-altitude, cooler terroirs.
The white wines are made from Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, and vary widely in style according to the exact area and climate from which they come. The Chardonnay vines here are some of the oldest in the south of France, and produce wines which are particularly sought-after. |
The permitted grape varieties for red and rosé wine are: The red wines of the Limoux
AOP are composed of at least 50% Merlot with Carignan, Grenache, Malbec (known locally as Côt) and Syrah making up at least 30% of the blend. Carignan itself is limited to a maximum of 10% as a component from the 2010 vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are also grown in the area and are restricted to a maximum of 20% together in red Limoux
AOP wines. They are however also used in the Vin de pays wines sold as Vin de pays de la Haute Vallée de l'Aude.
The most important grape varieties for white are
Mauzac, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
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Now a prestigious event attracting buyers from all over the world,
“Toques & Clochers†puts up for auction the most promising barrels of AOP Limoux.
A share of the proceeds are then used to finance the renovation of bell towers in surrounding villages. Every year the auction is hosted by one of France’s great chefs popularly referred
to as a “Toquesâ€, the traditional white chef’s hat. |
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Now a prestigious event attracting buyers from all over the world,
“Toques & Clochers†puts up for auction the most promising barrels of AOP Limoux.
A share of the proceeds are then used to finance the renovation of bell towers in surrounding villages. Every year the auction is hosted by one of France’s great chefs popularly referred
to as a “Toquesâ€, the traditional white chef’s hat. |
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Domaine Astruc |
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In the last century, Jean Astruc, coachman of hackney carriage in Bourigeole's castel, travels the roads around Limoux. His secret dream is to own a Domaine.
This dream comes true when this ex-coachman settles down to work and in 1862 finally acquires 12 hectares of vines in Malras.
His son Jean Astruc carries on the same ideal and purchases lands despite the crisis and his leaving for the battle during the First World War.
In the fiftees, Jean gives his heritage to his son, Pierre At that time the Estate covers more than 30 hectares of vines together with the winery.
In the last century, Jean Astruc, coachman of hackney carriage in Bourigeole's castel, travels the roads around Limoux. His secret dream is to own a Domaine.
This dream comes true when this ex-coachman settles down to work and in 1862 finally acquires 12 hectares of vines in Malras.
His son Jean Astruc carries on the same ideal and purchases lands despite the crisis and his leaving for the battle during the First World War.
In the fiftees, Jean gives his heritage to his son, Pierre At that time the Estate covers more than 30 hectares of vines together with the winery.
In 1977 after his studies, Jacques Astruc, son of Pierre, leaves Paris to follows the steps of his grandfather and comes back to Malras. Him and his father have created the Domaine Astruc...
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Les Ets Salasar |
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Grandfather Joseph, followed by his son, and nowadays René SALASAR, the present master of the domain, have been running this family business since 1890, specialising in a Blanquette de Limoux whose reputation has spread far beyond the borders of France. The development of our Blanquette de Limoux is the combination of traditional know-how for over a century and use of modern technology in winemaking...
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Cave Anne de Joyeuse |
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All our grapes are harvested by hand, then transported in small containers, passed through the sorting table and de-stemmed.
Temperature controlled vinification by variety between 29 and 30°C. Cold maceration before fermentation for the Syrahs and Malbecs, a long maceration of 30 days for the Cabernets and Merlots with frequent pump-overs then final blending.
Matured in French oak for 9 to 10 months to give this exceptional wine all the necessary richness and complexity. the Cave Anne de Joyeuse became the first and most important Southern French vineyard to commit 100% to individual site selection based on terroir.
It lead to the establishment of its white wines as AOP Limoux White in 1989 and its red wines as
AOP Limoux Red in 2004...
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Antech Limoux |
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The beautiful weather in late summer permitted us to harvest magnificent grapes in perfect condition. No weather incident impacted the harvest.
The grapes reached excellent maturity, giving promise for a rich palette of aromas for the 2010 vintage. The summer, which was temperate in the south of France, allowed the grapes to maintain all of their freshness and intrinsic flavors.
The Chardonnay and Chenin grapes were harvested in early September. Subtle floral and Williams pear notes are already present in the Chardonnay dry wines.
Harvest ended with the Mauzac grapes in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude. Here again, the musts and the first wines express their elegant savors of vine-grown peaches and fresh apples...
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Sieur d’Arques |
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Situated at the crossroads between two climatic influences, the Limoux terroir is rich in diversity.
The enologists and winemakers of Sieur d’Arques, pioneers in plot-based terroir selection, have taken the full measure of this invaluable diversity. For over twenty years, they have been committed to an innovative, quality-focused approach highlighting four major terroirs and selecting only those plots for which the microclimates, soils, topographies and elevations are suited to the production of healthy, ripe grapes.
Hence, to the east, the Mediterranean influence produces a dry, hot climate. To the west, the temperate climate is due to the influence of the Atlantic, which guarantees both optimal sun and enough rain all year. In the center of the appellation, the two influences merge, while a cooler climate dominates in the south closer to the Pyrénées. To this must be added the mainly limestone clay soil and vineyards spread out from 200 to 500 meters elevation. These are the essential characteristics of a land full of promise ideal for crafting innovative wines...
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Other Wineries, Producers in the "Limoux" with links!
All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
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To help you familiarize yourself somewhat, we have
compiled
this list of Limoux Domains, Wineries
and Producers in the department of Aude
sorted by location. We hope you will enjoy your
visits at all wineries
and Domaines for a
"wine dégustation", as we did!
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More information can be found by clicking the images! |
Heritiers Valent - 11580 Alet-les-Bains - Phone : 04 68 69 40 81
Château d'Antugnac GFA - 11190 Antugnac - Phone : 04 68 74 22 38
Domaine "La Botteuse" - 11190 Antugnac - Phone : 04 68 74 21 02
Alasar SA - 11260 Campagne-sur-Aude - Phone : 04 68 20 04 62
Domaine Laurent Maugard - 11300 Cepie - Phone : 04 68 31 33 85
Domaine Peyret - 11300 Cepie - Phone : 04 68 31 72 10
Domaine de Mayrac - 11190 Couiza - Phone : 04 68 74 04 84
Pavie Pascal - 11300 Festes - Phone : 04 68 31 13 11
SCEA Domaine Villemartin - 11300 Gaia-et-Villedieu - Phone : 04 68 31 53 99
Averseng Gerard - 11300 La Digne-d'Amont - Phone : 04 68 31 27 16
Les Chais du Soleil - 11300 La Digne -d'Aval - Phone : 04 68 31 64 95
Domaine Laurens - 11300 La Digne -d'Aval - Phone : 04 68 31 54 54
Domaine Rosier - 11300 Limoux - Phone : 04 68 31 48 38
Domaine de Flassian - Antech - 11300 Limoux - Phone : 04 68 31 15 88
Maison Jean Babou - Brouette Petit Fils S.A. - 11300 Limoux - Phone : 04 68 31 00 01
Barbedette Jean Philippe - 11300 Loupia - Phone : 04 68 69 52 81
Bataille Claude - 11300 Loupia - Phone : 04 68 69 54 29
Cave les Hauts d'Aldae - 11190 Montazels - Phone : 04 68 74 04 76
Martinez Marcelle - 11190 Montazels - Phone : 04 68 74 12 79
Lacube Yves & Francoise - 11250 Pomas - Phone : 04 68 69 45 04
Cave Cooperative de Rouffiac - 11250 Rouffiac-d'Aude - Phone : 04 68 26 81 73
Domaine de la Maurette GAEC - 11190 Serres - Phone : 04 68 69 81 06
Domaine Collin - 11300 Tourreilles - Phone : 04 68 31 35 49
Jumelle Reynald - 11300 Tourreilles - Phone : 04 68 31 13 40
Domaine des Trois Fontaines - 11300 Villelongue - Phone : 04 68 69 51 81
Domaine Collin-Rosier 11300 Phone : 0468 31 48 38
Tailhan-Cavailles 11300 Phone ; 04 68 31 66 14
Pierjaq Astruc 11300 Magrie Phone 04 68 31 13 26
Vignobles Vergnes 11300 Roquetaillade
GAEC des Trois Fontaines 11300 Villelongue d'Aude
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Enjoy your wine tasting
("dégustation")!
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Domaine
de Baron'Arques |
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The company of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, having assumed the responsibility for the estate, did not want to wait for all the major long term reconstruction to be complete before making known its interest in the Limoux region. It therefore formed a partnership with “Les Vignerons du Sieur d’Arquesâ€, the enormous and well known Cooperative in Limoux itself, famous for its sparkling wines and it’s “Méthode Ancestrale†– a system of making sparkling wine that predates Champagne and became known and appreciated long before the birth of Dom Pérignon, in fact from 1531 in Saint Hilaire. The estate is planted with 48 Hectares of vines on its 103 Hectares total surface area.
Its altitude is between 250–350 metres above sea level and the soil is principally calcareous limestone (argilo–calcaire) with a few parcels of sandier soil and sandy gravel. The decomposition of the bedrock looks very like sand and is very poor in organic matter but of course rich in minerals. On the highest point of the property there is “garrigueâ€, with the bedrock so close to the surface that the vines planted there simply will not grow – no organic matter...
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