Le Berceau, Blanquette de Limoux

I tasted my first Blanquette while dining at Cork (see earlier post).  I found it interesting enough to look for more....  Next day I went to the Whole Foods and got whatever they had.  They had a basic blanquette so I thought I start there..  It is a descent basic sparkler. This one is a blend of Mauzac (that is also sometimes called Blanquette) 90% with the remainder being evenly split between Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.  Clairette is yet another grape that sometime goes into the mix... This particular wine is made using Methode Tradiotionelle.

There are, however, Blanquettes made using Methode Ancestrale.  Those are made solely from Mauzac.  For slightly weird people who care about those things, I can't help to mention that these wines are traditionally bottled on a full Moon in March.,,,  Long live biodynamics...

This Blanquette has a light, fruity flavour, reminiscent of green apples and cider. As a general rule, the smaller the bubbles the better the sparking wine.  Well, I am looking at the bubbles, they seem small enough...

Limoux is situated on the D118 in the heart of Cathar country. 25 km south of Carcassonne, along the upper valley of the River Aude between the Chalabra plateau to the west and that of Lacamp to the east, stretching towards the foothills of the Pyrenees. If you didn't have a chance of being there you should, this is truly a beautiful place.  Besides

Cathar is rich in history being home to one of the earliest religious uprisings against the power of Rome.  Besides, it recently became home for a new wave of Michelin rated restaurants.

For more info on Limoux wines go to: Languedoc and navigate to Blanquette...All in all, it is worh a try although this is far from the most interesting Blanquettes available; $11.99 at Whole Foods, Arlington.