Mauzac is Undergoing a Quiet Resurgence

Blanquette de Limoux, which is made from the Mauzac grape, is experiencing a spike in popularity as of late. This sparkling wine is now being stocked by high-street supermarkets across the country, and statistics show that every second, five bottles of Languedoc wine are sold, which is the main region for growing Mauzac grapes.

Blanquette de Limoux is the Oldest Sparkling Wine in the World

Interest in history is at an all-time high, so it’s not surprising to see medieval grape varieties make a resurgence. The Middle Ages in France saw the rise of castles, knights, and crop farming, which contrasts the digital-first life we live now. Social media and Pinterest trends last year also helped to popularize handmade chain mail. Works by Ken Follett also spotlight the medieval era, along with epics like Beowulf.

Music acts are putting a spotlight on medieval life. Bands include Powerwolf, Saltatio Mortis, and Feuerschwanz. Betfair casino & slots also showcase medieval times, with slots like Tarasque. This slot is set in medieval France, with the game drawing from classical art as well as distinctive themes that not only represent the era, but also the way of life at the time.

The discovery of maceration was made by accident in medieval France. Blanquette de Limoux was documented in 1531 by the French monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire. They noticed that wines bottled in winter would re-ferment in spring, resulting in natural effervescence. It’s also said that Dom Pérignon once visited the abbey, taking the method of producing the wine to Champagne.

Even though Mauzac is being outphased by grape varieties like Hardonnet, its role in Blanquette de Limoux is evident. It’s a late-ripening, high-acidity variety and is very common in the southwest of France.

Producers are Paving the Way for the Mauzac Revival

Winery Maison Antech is a family-run winery that is one of the many producers who are leading the way for mauzac. They are committed to the grape and showcase 100% Mauzac as one of their finest crémants. It’s made using the traditional method, which involves the wine undergoing a secondary fermentation, just like Champagne.

Antech’s terroir results in a wine that has a mineral crispness. With notes of white flower, apple, and pear. The wine also undergoes 70 months on the lees, which results in notes of fennel, creating an exceptionally rounded, sparkling wine.

J. Laurens also produces 100% Mauzac. Even though 100% Mauzac wines are typically reserved for the French market, Château Rives-Blanques’s wine, Occitania Mauzac Blanc, is available in the UK. One of the oldest producers in Limoux, Sieur d’Arques, is named after the monk who discovered the fermentation. This brand has also begun to experiment with 90% Mauzac blends, which helps to retain the wine’s identity while also making new notes that have the potential to win over modern-day wine drinkers.

As sparkling wine is set to have a CAGR of over 9% from now until 2034, it’s to be expected that certain grape varieties will be revisited, and in the case of Mauzac, there are bright times ahead.