Sparkling Wines Limoux Antech - Doux et Fruité

Antech’s “Cuvée Doux et Fruité” from Limoux is an effervescent sweet white wine crafted using the ancestral method, a traditional approach celebrated in this historic corner of southern France. Non-vintage by nature, this cuvée is produced with a focus on freshness and aromatic complexity rather than the nuances of a particular harvest year. While the precise blend of grape varieties is not specified, Limoux wines of this style often rely on local grapes such as Mauzac, with possible touches of Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay—though this may vary. The ancestral method entails a single fermentation that is naturally interrupted, preserving residual sugars and resulting in a lightly sparkling, fruit-driven wine with a gentle sweetness, moderate alcohol, and lively mousse.

Limoux, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees within the broader Languedoc region, boasts a mix of Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, which endow the vineyards with cool nights and a distinctive freshness. The soils range from clay-limestone to marl, contributing complexity and balancing the ripening of aromatic grapes. Known since at least the sixteenth century for its sparkling wines, Limoux is sometimes credited with predating even Champagne’s effervescence, and the ancestral method preserves a distinct local character and historical link to its origins.

This style of gently sparkling, sweet wine is a delightful accompaniment to fruit-based desserts—think tarte aux pommes or a fresh fruit salad—as well as blue cheeses and foie gras, where the sweetness beautifully offsets rich or salty flavours. Among local specialities, try pairing it with Roquefort or a traditional Croustade de Limoux for a harmonious marriage.

For optimal enjoyment, serve “Cuvée Doux et Fruité” well-chilled, ideally between 6 and 8°C. This will ensure the vivaciousness of the bubbles and preserve the wine’s charming freshness and aromatic profile. If opening for an apéritif or with dessert, allow the wine a brief moment in the glass to let the delicate aromatics unfurl.