Vignoble Nicolas Therez - Blanquette de Limoux

Vignoble Nicolas Therez is a family-run domaine in the village of Serres, in the cool, elevated Haute Vallée de l’Aude. Here, Nicolas and Amandine Therez craft a compelling range of Limoux wines and traditional-method sparkling wines. The estate grew from the partnership of the Therez and Caruso families, and in 2008 the family converted its 35 hectares of vines to organic farming, with Nicolas taking the lead in the vineyards and both Nicolas and Amandine overseeing the cellar. Their south-facing parcels sit on clay-limestone soils along the edges of garrigue and forest, while the cooler climate of the upper Aude Valley encourages slow ripening and preserves the freshness and finesse that define their wines. Harvests are largely carried out by hand, and the domaine's sparkling portfolio includes both Blanquette de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux, with the former centered on Mauzac, the historic white grape of the appellation.

Nicolas Therez’s Blanquette de Limoux — organically farmed and traditionally made — is comprised predominantly with Mauzac alongside small portions of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. This stunning sparkler pours a brilliant pale yellow, animated by a stream of fine, persistent bubbles. The nose opens with an inviting impression of white flowers and fresh orchard fruit before revealing more specific notes of green apple, citrus, almond and a subtle honeyed nuance. On the palate, it is wonderfully fresh and lively, with Mauzac’s distinctive character bringing both brightness and a gentle roundness to the fruit. The finish is crisp, clean and refreshing, making this an exceptionally versatile bottle for the table… wonderful with starters, think gougères, oysters, tempura vegetables or fresh chèvre, but this will also be delightful with fried chicken.