Wednesday, March 19, 2025 sparkling wine review is a lovely Blanquette de Limoux crafted in the traditional method using the Mauzac varietal. This bubbly was featured as part of the theme on Women in Wine in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.
It is produced by Maison Antech, a family-owned winery that has been passionately producing traditional method sparkling wines for seven generations on the hillsides of the Limoux wine region of Languedoc. Each generation has contributed their energy and passed down their exceptional know-how from one generation to the next, with women playing a central role and demonstrating a strength of character each step of the way.
The estate winery was initially established by the Tisseyre-Limouzy family in the late-19th century. Early in the 20th century, the estate was run by Eugénie Limouzy, a dynamic, courageous, and modern woman who lived through wars unbowed to ensure the winery's long-term survival. Eugénie was one of the first women in Languedoc to manage a vineyard. In 1930, Eugénie's niece, Marguerite, married fellow vintner Edmond Antech, merging two winemaking families and giving birth to the Antech name that still stands today.
In 1965, brothers Georges and Roger, the sons of Edmond and Marguerite, took over the reins of the estate. By the 1970s, the brothers had decided to focus on producing only sparkling wines. Joining the estate in 1996 was Françoise, Georges' daughter and the sixth generation of the family. Françoise carried on the family tradition and has played an instrumental role in elevating Maison Antech into one of the region's top sparkling wine producers.
The family has cultivated the land in Limoux since 1860, a land with a unique terroir where the freshness of the Pyrenees mountain range mixes with the Mediterranean climate. Maison Antech is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, where the vines enjoy ideal growing conditions such as natural drainage, high diurnal temperature ranges between day and night, and the cool breezes coming off the snowy Pyrenees slopes until May. These growing conditions promote the vivacity and tension necessary to produce wines with great effervescence.
With the seventh generation of the family, Françoise's son, Baptiste, also now working at the winery, Maison Antech has been actively engaged in using a sustainable approach to viticulture and winemaking that respects the environment and takes advantage of the omnipresent winds coming off the hillsides. Their efforts are directed towards the development of the Mauzac grape varietal, which is perfectly suited to this microclimate in Limoux. Antech crafts their wines using a minimalist approach, allowing the place to reflect itself without. All the grapes are carefully hand-harvested in order to respect the quality of the grape and preserve freshness. To vinify their wines, the grapes are slowly and delicately pressed, and fermented at low temperatures. The wines spend the winter on their lees, then age for a prolonged period to reveal their complexity. Depending on the wine, dosage is added.
From a very good vintage in Limoux, let's see how this 2022 Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine is tasting tonight...
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a fresh, fine, and elegant mix of ripe lemon citrus, yellow & white floral toasty, autolytic, brioche, and leesy mineral aromas, plus touches of stone fruit, apple, and pear. It's light-to-mid-weighted, dry, and gently honeyed with lovely lemon citrus, brioche, toasty, floral, leesy, and stone fruit flavours supported by crisp acidity and bubbles. Leesy, stony mineral, and toasty notes linger on the crisp, dry, and lengthy finish. Versatile for pairing with food and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
Other lovely sparkling wines by Maison Antech can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
It is produced by Maison Antech, a family-owned winery that has been passionately producing traditional method sparkling wines for seven generations on the hillsides of the Limoux wine region of Languedoc. Each generation has contributed their energy and passed down their exceptional know-how from one generation to the next, with women playing a central role and demonstrating a strength of character each step of the way.
The estate winery was initially established by the Tisseyre-Limouzy family in the late-19th century. Early in the 20th century, the estate was run by Eugénie Limouzy, a dynamic, courageous, and modern woman who lived through wars unbowed to ensure the winery's long-term survival. Eugénie was one of the first women in Languedoc to manage a vineyard. In 1930, Eugénie's niece, Marguerite, married fellow vintner Edmond Antech, merging two winemaking families and giving birth to the Antech name that still stands today.
In 1965, brothers Georges and Roger, the sons of Edmond and Marguerite, took over the reins of the estate. By the 1970s, the brothers had decided to focus on producing only sparkling wines. Joining the estate in 1996 was Françoise, Georges' daughter and the sixth generation of the family. Françoise carried on the family tradition and has played an instrumental role in elevating Maison Antech into one of the region's top sparkling wine producers.
The family has cultivated the land in Limoux since 1860, a land with a unique terroir where the freshness of the Pyrenees mountain range mixes with the Mediterranean climate. Maison Antech is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, where the vines enjoy ideal growing conditions such as natural drainage, high diurnal temperature ranges between day and night, and the cool breezes coming off the snowy Pyrenees slopes until May. These growing conditions promote the vivacity and tension necessary to produce wines with great effervescence.
With the seventh generation of the family, Françoise's son, Baptiste, also now working at the winery, Maison Antech has been actively engaged in using a sustainable approach to viticulture and winemaking that respects the environment and takes advantage of the omnipresent winds coming off the hillsides. Their efforts are directed towards the development of the Mauzac grape varietal, which is perfectly suited to this microclimate in Limoux. Antech crafts their wines using a minimalist approach, allowing the place to reflect itself without. All the grapes are carefully hand-harvested in order to respect the quality of the grape and preserve freshness. To vinify their wines, the grapes are slowly and delicately pressed, and fermented at low temperatures. The wines spend the winter on their lees, then age for a prolonged period to reveal their complexity. Depending on the wine, dosage is added.
From a very good vintage in Limoux, let's see how this 2022 Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
ANTECH RÉSERVE M LE MAUZAC EXTRA BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2022 - Traditional method, AP, Languedoc, France (#656470) (D) - $21.95The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a fresh, fine, and elegant mix of ripe lemon citrus, yellow & white floral toasty, autolytic, brioche, and leesy mineral aromas, plus touches of stone fruit, apple, and pear. It's light-to-mid-weighted, dry, and gently honeyed with lovely lemon citrus, brioche, toasty, floral, leesy, and stone fruit flavours supported by crisp acidity and bubbles. Leesy, stony mineral, and toasty notes linger on the crisp, dry, and lengthy finish. Versatile for pairing with food and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
Other lovely sparkling wines by Maison Antech can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
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