Pale yellow color with green tints. Fine and lingering bubbles. A fresh nose of white flowers, pear, and citrus. A lively palate with notes of dried fruits and toasted aromas on the finish.
Over 200 years before Champagne rose to prominence. More specifically the record from 1531 referenced Blanquette de Limoux. This Limoux style of sparkling wine is distinctive for its use of the Mauzac grape. An indigenous varietal that has become extremely rare to find. In 1990 it became mandatory to use a minimum of 90% Mauzac in order to safeguard the Blanquette de Limoux heritage and honor the legacy of the region laid down by the Monks almost 500 years ago.
A lovely orange-pink sunset color with delicate and persistent bubbles. Refined scents of honeysuckle, peach and apricot lead way to a soft mouthfeel of grapefruit and a hint of blood orange. An excellent aperitif that pairs well with all styles of cuisine.
Jean Babou captures true “Elegance” in his bespoke bottle. Starting with a base white wine after primary fermentation, a “Liqueur de Tirage,” a blend of sugar and yeast, is added to the juice a few hours before bottling. After one year of aging, the lees are expelled and the “Liqueur de Dosage” is added and aged an additional twelve months.
The soft spoken sparkling wine of Southern France hails from Limoux, a small town located about 200 miles north of Barcelona, 100 miles southwest of Montpellier, and 60 miles southeast from Toulouse. The intersection of the Spanish and French cultures, just north of the Pyrennes mountains combine with the larger Languedoc-Roussillon, which is one of the most important wine regions in the world.
Here in the hills of Limoux, cooler temperatures prevail, which provides the perfect setting for lower alcohol sparkling wines which are typically produced from the local varietals of Mauzac, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay.
Specs
Appellation: Crémant de Limoux Contrôlée
Alcohol: 12.5%
Vintage Notes
Are you asking yourself where and what is a Limoux? You are not alone! It may surprise you to learn that Limoux is the true birthplace of the winemaking style Champagne is so famous for. Creating the sparkle in sparkling wine through a secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle as opposed to a tank or barrel was first recorded in the French region of Limoux in 1531.
Limoux is one of France’s first designated appellations, classified in 1938. Located in the Pyrenean foothills, in the Languedoc region in southern France. At the crossroads of Atlantic and Mediterranean climate influences, the Limoux wine region is one of great richness and diversity. The Mediterranean influence in the east, along with the temperate climate due to the oceanic influence in the west, ensures that the region receives the perfect amount of sunshine and rainfall distributed throughout the year. Ensuring grapes ripen beautifully while still preserving acidity, an essential component of sparkling wine.
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
2x Jean Babou Elégance Blanquette de Limoux Brut
2x Jean Babou Elégance Crémant de Limoux Brut Rose
Case:
6x Jean Babou Elégance Blanquette de Limoux Brut
6x Jean Babou Elégance Crémant de Limoux Brut Rose
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $300/case MSRP
About The Winery
Produced by: Les Vignerons du Sieur d’Arques
Location: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sieur d’Arques, a cooperative of growers and winemakers is one of the most prominent producers in Limoux. Creating sparkling wines with finesse and elegance, crafted from grapes picked entirely by hand and vinified using only traditional methods.
In 2007 Sieur d’Arques joined an ambitious initiative, Vignerons en Développement Durable (winegrowers for sustainable development). An initiative created and backed by wine growers and producers. Founded on 37 commitments, the program incorporates environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Saving natural resources, protecting biodiversity, produce healthy wines, stimulate direct and indirect creation of jobs, and paying producers fairly to name a few.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Jean Babou Elégance Mixed Brut Sparkling Wines
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@jshaver the couple of Blanquette de Limoux I’ve had (~$15) have leaned toward Cremant du Jura rather than blanc de blancs Champagne but it’s nothing too radical; what I will say is that they tend to punch above their weight. Never had a rose from Limoux but I’m excited to try it. Also works well as a gift because of the whole Limoux predating Champagne backstory.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Jean Babou Elégance Mixed Brut Sparkling Wines - $45 = 27.26%
In, willing to share. Looks like there may be some bottle variation in the Blanquette, judging by CT reviews. Only one review for the Rose but it’s kind of “meh”. Will be interesting to see what the Rats have to say (if there are any) but at the case price, it’s a pretty small gamble. Worst case scenario, will use for Mimosas and/or Chambongs.
I was lucky enough to get the Blanquette as a rat. It was everything I look for in a sparkling wine and very much like a champagne.
Minerality, acidity, green apple, fresh/bright flavor, and a lingering yeasty bread on the finish. If you enjoy champagne, this is a winner.
We got it a week early and decided we would pay $15 a bottle for this on casemates. (It’s worth more we are just cheap asses.) In for a case.
We received this Jean Babou Élégance Rose de Limoux Brutas a lab rat. It came in right before Valentine’s Day, so it was a perfect choice to pair with our cheese and dry fruit plate on the patio. The color is a beautiful pink. It was very crisp, I instantly tasted peach. It was enjoyable outside on a warm evening. We thought $15 was a fair price for this sparkling wine.
@jennyc93 hold on: is the peach smell (and taste maybe?) very present and lingering? Got a case of a sparkling last year in which “peach” was mentioned, and it turned out to be basically peach juice. Can you confirm either way?
Why did I do that? Not sure. Oh yeah, because in theory, I’m closing in an hour…on an instrument that I applied for in August 2020…Boo penfed, boooo.
/giphy manageable-ritzy-hornet
If the bottle of the Rosé we had last night is any indication, I guess I got lucky grabbing a case before they sold out. It took a while to get here, but the wait was worth it. This had lots of nice fresh fruit, plus all the yeastiness I really enjoy in a bubbly. Possibly the best $10 bubbly we’ve ever tasted, perfect with a mid-week salmon orzo skillet dinner.
@PatrickKarcher much appreciated! I still have the half case for the lecroy of LM and almost a full case of wines for cduan so I’ll have to trip down there sooner than later!
Jean Babou Elégance Blanquette de Limoux Brut
Tasting Notes
Specs
Jean Babou Elégance Crémant de Limoux Brut Rose
Tasting Notes
Specs
Vintage Notes
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $300/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 22
Jean Babou Elégance Mixed Brut Sparkling Wines
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
NV Jean Babou Elégance Blanquette de Limoux Brut
NV Jean Babou Elégance Crémant de Limoux Brut Rose
In. Love me some Limoux and it’s a great $10 sparkler.
@ekwartler have a comparison? Looks interesting
@jshaver the couple of Blanquette de Limoux I’ve had (~$15) have leaned toward Cremant du Jura rather than blanc de blancs Champagne but it’s nothing too radical; what I will say is that they tend to punch above their weight. Never had a rose from Limoux but I’m excited to try it. Also works well as a gift because of the whole Limoux predating Champagne backstory.
Could use some sparkling… intriguing.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Jean Babou Elégance Mixed Brut Sparkling Wines - $45 = 27.26%
/giphy laboring-jazzy-porridge
In, willing to share. Looks like there may be some bottle variation in the Blanquette, judging by CT reviews. Only one review for the Rose but it’s kind of “meh”. Will be interesting to see what the Rats have to say (if there are any) but at the case price, it’s a pretty small gamble. Worst case scenario, will use for Mimosas and/or Chambongs.
@chipgreen Chambongs, LOL…
Ya learn something new on this site every day. Never expected to learn that, though.
@chipgreen Don’t know about Chambongs, but making Mimosas from lousy wine just results in lousy Mimosas.
@chipgreen You had me at Chambongs…
/giphy traceable-cloying-head
Now that’s an appropriate gif!
@chipgreen @pmarin yep. Just nooooooo. No.
@chipgreen @msten @pmarin learned about mimosa bombs on Sunday, ugggh.
Elégance Blanquette de Limoux Brut
I was lucky enough to get the Blanquette as a rat. It was everything I look for in a sparkling wine and very much like a champagne.
Minerality, acidity, green apple, fresh/bright flavor, and a lingering yeasty bread on the finish. If you enjoy champagne, this is a winner.
We got it a week early and decided we would pay $15 a bottle for this on casemates. (It’s worth more we are just cheap asses.) In for a case.
/giphy equivocal-unhappy-mango
@kevo152 extra points for quoting “cheap-ass” pricing guidelines. That’s my kind of pricing too.
Elégance Crémant de Limoux Brut Rose
We received this Jean Babou Élégance Rose de Limoux Brutas a lab rat. It came in right before Valentine’s Day, so it was a perfect choice to pair with our cheese and dry fruit plate on the patio. The color is a beautiful pink. It was very crisp, I instantly tasted peach. It was enjoyable outside on a warm evening. We thought $15 was a fair price for this sparkling wine.
@jennyc93 The sparkling wine sounds good, but right now I’m more interested in where you found a warm evening???
@jennyc93 Do you mean Casemates fair or Out There fair? I have to pay way less than ‘fair’. That’s why i come to casemates.
@jennyc93 hold on: is the peach smell (and taste maybe?) very present and lingering? Got a case of a sparkling last year in which “peach” was mentioned, and it turned out to be basically peach juice. Can you confirm either way?
@jennyc93 not that this aspect stopped me to get a case though…
/giphy tropical-grimy-top
@pmarin south Florida!
@pmarin if we were to buy it at a store we would pay $15.
@salpo it was definitely not peach juice.
A true French sparkler? Count me in!
/giphy worthless-perfumed-marble
/giphy furious-ambitious-border
/giphy crucial-obtainable-dock
In for a 4 pk I love bubbles!
I’m a sucker for $10 sparklers shipping to Ohio.
/giphy obsessed-bold-trade
@lehigh Extra points just for having to be in Ohio!
@pmarin And I came down here from Michigan!
/giphy grainy-resilient-chess
/giphy Useless-fouled-vein
Why did I do that? Not sure. Oh yeah, because in theory, I’m closing in an hour…on an instrument that I applied for in August 2020…Boo penfed, boooo.
/giphy manageable-ritzy-hornet
Missed out on a case, so I payed the premium for the four bottle option. So much intrigue
/giphy resourceful-debonair-print
Nooooooooooooo The case is sold out
/giphy whiny-knightly-moon
If the bottle of the Rosé we had last night is any indication, I guess I got lucky grabbing a case before they sold out. It took a while to get here, but the wait was worth it. This had lots of nice fresh fruit, plus all the yeastiness I really enjoy in a bubbly. Possibly the best $10 bubbly we’ve ever tasted, perfect with a mid-week salmon orzo skillet dinner.
@ddeuddeg We had the Brut, but our reaction was the same: Holy Moley! That experience for $10, pretty darn good. Look forward to trying the rosé.
@ddeuddeg @PatrickKarcher missed out but will def pick up some of this if we have another offering!
@bunnymasseuse Well, for you, I’ll put a little slice in your spring box o’ fun I got going downstairs.
@PatrickKarcher much appreciated! I still have the half case for the lecroy of LM and almost a full case of wines for cduan so I’ll have to trip down there sooner than later!