J Laurens Le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux AOP

The Limoux is extremely windy: the Vent Cers from the Atlantic and the warm Vent Narin from the Mediterranean blow through the vineyards, assisting the ‘reasoned agriculture’ viniculture management. The soil in the area is rocky with clay, sandstone and limestone, creating distinct terroir throughout the region and clay composition in the soil. Under AOC Limoux regulations vines are hand harvested. Produced using the méthode traditionnelle; pneumatic pressing for clear juices, an initial fermentation in stainless steel vats to control the temperature with a second fermentation in bottle. The wine then rests on lees for a minimum of nine months. Production limited to 40-50,000 bottles.

J.Laurens produces both Mauzac-dominated Blanquette de Limoux and Chardonnay-based Crémant de Limoux from their 30 hectares of sustainably-farmed vineyards, slightly to the south-west of Carcassone. The domaine was established by Champenois Michel Dervin in the 1980s, and since 2002, it has been owned by the locally-born entrepreneur Jacques Calvel. He has surrounded himself with an expert team led by winemaker Henri Albrus, and he has built the domaine's current reputation for outstanding sparkling wines.