Blanquette de Limoux Wine Limoux, France

Blanquette de Limoux AOC wines preserve the Limousin tradition of making sparkling winennamely from the local Mauzac grape. Made in the labor-intensive Méthode Traditionelle (the same used in Champagne) which produces the finest sparkling wines, their grapes come from high-altitude Pyrenean vineyards where the cool air lets the grapes retain the acidity necessary to make a good bubblies. Leaner than their Crémant de Limoux cousins (which are made of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay), they show crisp apple and pear, balanced by a warm yeasty character. Representing a centuries-old heritage in sparklers, these wines can be great values.