Blanquette de Limoux 'Saint-Hilaire'
With any sparkling wine it is difficult to avoid a comparison with champagne, a comparison that Limoux producers (along with producers of sparkling wines from every other country or region) quietly resent. They assert, with justification, that their product too deserves its own footprint of exclusivity.
Blanquette de Limoux is made from an identical double fermentation process to champagne however, and shares all of the benefits. Its mix of grapes - usually all white varieties - offers a clear contrast with the consequence of a softer taste profile, less apple-like and more pear and white peach. There is a faintly savoury note too, derived from the Mauzac grape. This latter is equally known as the base of the white wines of Gaillac, including its own sparkler, 'perlé'. Blanquette de Limoux is dry but because it has lower acidity than a typical champagne, a consequence of its southerly origins, it has a softer edge. Saint-Hilaire is a vintage wine, and with its extra bottle ageing 'sur lie', represents one of the top cuvées from this producer.
A very enjoyable wine at a reasonable price which I will buy again
Lighter and less complex than champagne, but a really pleasant flavour with plenty of bubbles. An excellent sparkling wine for the price. I would definitely buy it again.
We have tried a number of Blanquette de Limoux and this one is the best so far. Comparable in every way to a very good small producer premier cru or grand cru champagne.
Apart from champagne this is our favourite sparkling wine. It is a champagne in all respects except name and this is determined by its origins not its method of production. A sparkling wine that can be mistaken for champagne but not when you see the price tag.
This wine was suggested to me by a friend ... I found the wine exquisite , and priced within my range.