Crémant de Limoux

This appellation represents the increasing champenization of the ancient sparkling wines of limoux in a particularly cool, high corner of the southern Languedoc. In 1990, Blanquette de Limoux became an appellation reserved for sparkling wines made principally from the mauzac grape grown traditionally in the region. In 2016 the regulations for Crémant de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux rosé are set to change but the proposal to make Mauzac a compulsory component has been abandoned. The revised regulations distinguish, unusually, between what is allowed in the vineyard mix (minimum 50% Chardonnay, 10-40% Chenin Blanc, no more than 30% Pinot Noir, plus Mauzac) and what is permitted in the wine itself: Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc together 60-90% with at least 30% Chardonnay and 10% Chenin, Mauzac and Pinot Noir together no more than 40%, including no more than 20% Mauzac. Very similar changes apply to the rosé but here Pinot Noir must comprise 15-40% of the blend. A very high proportion is made by the co-operative, although the produce of nearly 300 growers is used to make this most southerly Crémant. A total of 846 ha/2,090 acres were devoted to the wine in 2012.