Description
The town of Limoux lies in the South of France in the heart of Cathar country, and has been known for many years as the source of Blanquette de Limoux, a characterful but rather rustic methode champenoise fizz. Domaine J.Laurens is only a few kilometers out of Limoux, situated in beautiful hilly terrain, which is scattered with woods, fields and vineyards. The high altitude offsets the heat of the summer and allows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to ripen more slowly, making them ideal for sparkling wine.
Vendanges by hand
The domaine consists of 30 hectares of vines and has been producing sparkling A.O.C. wines since the 1980’s on the 30 hectare vineyard. In the 1980’s, Michel Devin, moved from his base in the Champagne region, with a passion to find a vineyard where he could make wines in the champagne style. Subsequent to this, Jacques Calvel, who was born in Limoux and had worked as a businessman in Switzerland, bought the vineyard in 2002. With Michel’s experience and the technical skills of Henri Albrus, the winemaker, Jacques has developed the vineyard and equipment of the domaine and has brought the wines up to world class standard.
Sylvie & Jacques
The wines are made with secondary bottle fermentation, as in Champagne, using some of the same grape varieties, which is what lifts them way above other inexpensive fizz. We discovered these lovely wines several years ago, and there is no doubt that they are as good as entry-level champagnes but at half the price! We have shipped the latest delicious vintages of our favourite three wines.
A Mixed Case contains 3 bottles of each of these two wines:
J Laurens Les Graimenous 2022
Crémant de Limoux
We are now on the new vintage of this stylish fizz, made from 60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir and 5% Mauzac.
It has a fresh yeasty/bready nose, so redolent of champagne, and a lively, creamy texture with hints of apple, and brioche. Very Champagne-like in style, it is just perfect as an aperitif, and magic with seafood or tapas!
J Laurens La Rose No 7
Crémant de Limoux Rosé
This is made from 60% Chardonnay, 25% Chenin Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir and recently won a Coup de Coeur in the prestigious Guide Hachette.
It is light cherry in colour, derived from more skin contact with the Pinot Noir during the primary vinification. There are mouthwatering strawberry and raspberry aromas from the Pinot Noir on the nose. It has a lively mousse with a delicate creamy mouthfeel. The palate is bursting with strawberry/raspberry fruit, with hints of redcurrants towards the finish, and the Pinot Noir flavours come through in the length.
Excellent alone or with smoked salmon, prawns and any “pink” seafood dishes!
