Astélia Crémant de Limoux Blanc Grand Réserve

“Aside from wine, what I know the best are my three daughters, Astrid, Elisa and Apolline.”

What better way for Jean-Claude Mas to honour his family than the creation of a premium range of wines that inspires its name from those of his daughters?

Produced at the Domaines’ prized Martinolles property in Saint Hilaire, the Grande Réserve Crémant de Limoux is a fitting testament to the unique terroir of the region; in the hills around the town of Limoux, cool hillside vineyards are gaining a formidable reputation as one of the best sparkling wine regions outside of Champagne.

According to owner Jean-Claude Mas: “We are very excited about our portfolio of high-quality, yet very affordable sparkling wines in the UK market. I have long believed that the market “sweet spot” of a retail price of £15-18 for a premium sparkling wine is yet to be properly satisfied. The aim is to show British consumers that great bubbly does not begin and end with Champagne or Prosecco; I am convinced that the Languedoc is capable of producing sparkling wines that rival the best in the world, stylistically or from a value for money stand-point.”

Created using the legendary méthode traditionnelle of the Champenois, the base wines are partly fermented in French oak before being aged in bottle for 24 months. “We believe that all premium sparkling wines should be subject to at least 2 years lees contact,” says Jean-Claude Mas. Our little titbit: the now famous méthode traditionnelle was actually discovered locally in 1531 in the St Hilaire monastery, before being immortalized by the Champagne region.

The Astélia Crémant de Limoux Blanc Grand Réserve is a subtle blend of Chardonnay, Chenin and Pinot Noir, benefitting from the Limoux region’s Mediterranean climate with oceanic influences and hand-picking to ensure the utmost respect for the grapes that are used. With a crystalline, brilliant yellow colour and fine and regular bubbles, this elegant wine presents a heady mixture of floral and yellow fruit aromas with notes of fresh verbana and a hint of pastry. It will delight your palate with its fullness and finesse, whilst maintaining all the crunchy, chiseled and deep qualities that make a great Crémant.

This Crémant de Limoux is delicious before lunch and dinner with an old parmesan cheese, with warm oysters accompanied with ginger and lemongrass, pine needle grilled lobster, saffron based curry, or quite simply, by itself.

A wine made to honour not only the wonderful women in his life, but also Limoux’s heritage as both the birthplace and the centre of exceptional sparkling wines.