Limoux
Limoux is an appellation in southern France in the Pyrenees mountain range; it is part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. There are white and red wines produced here, but the most famous are the sparkling wines, Cremant de Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux.
The whites are made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and the local variety Mauzac, also known as Blanquette. The sparking wines are also made from these varieties ,with Mauzac the principal variety, while the reds are produced primarily from Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah also being important varieties.
The whites are generally Chardonnay-dominant; the fact that these are some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in France, gives Limoux Blanc a curiosity factor. The wines are barrel aged, so at prices in the $10-12 range, these are some of the most interesting values for white wine anywhere in the world.
The reds must be at least 50% Merlot; these also are fine values. As the tannins are relatively light, these are meant for youthful consumption, within two to three years. Cremant de Limoux are also priced quite reasonably, making them a nice alternative to other value sparklers such as Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy.
Pair these white and sparking wines with lighter cheeses, with salads or with light cheeses, while the reds are ideal with lighter red meats or game birds.