Festive and delicious bubbles are a necessity this time of year, and I think I've found one of the top sparkling wine values in the world. It's the 2021 J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux, and it's as classy as bubbly gets for less than $20.
Domaine J. Laurens is undoubtedly one of the qualitative leaders of Limoux, in France's Languedoc region. It is from these soils that France's FIRST sparkling wines were produced, long before the Champagne region gained fame. Today, the regions is renowned for its high-quality sparklers that sell for a fraction of the price of true Champagne.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you this is as good as Diebolt-Vallois. It's not, but it's really, really tasty, and it sells for a song. We've got 14 cases up for grabs at the sale price -- once those are gone, the sale is over. Thus, no guarantees this will make it to New Year's Eve...
2021 J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux 'Les Graimenous
Delicious bubbles from France's first sparkling wine zone!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Made just like Champagne, J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux is fermented first in tank to create alcohol, and then it undergoes a second fermentation in bottle that creates the bubbles. Aged for 12 months on the fine lees before it is disgorged and corked, the finished wine is fantastic.
Brimming with fresh apple, pear, citrus, light brioche, and mineral, this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, and Mauzac offers up a ton of quality-to-price ratio. Perfect for parties, toasting the New Year, and more, this is our go-to, sub-$20 sparkling wine at the moment.
One of the things I love about J. Laurens is their commitment to clean farming. Limoux isn't a region known for sustainability, but J. Laurens is committed to farming with little or no chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One of the "cleanest" estates in the region, they received a Level 3 High Environmental Value Certification in 2021. Level 3 is the highest level awarded to wineries that have made accommodations for the entire estate operation.
At the end of the day, wine has to taste good to me first and foremost...it's an added bonus when the produce who makes it is a steward of the land. That's exactly what you get here -- a delicious, crisp, and vibrant wine that comes from an independent producer who cares :)
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville