We will be taking your orders for the marvellous sparkling and still white wines from Château Rives-Blanques to the LCBO next Friday, August 12^th. Please don't miss out on the opportunity to get some of these truly lovely wines.

Caryl and Jan Panman, Jim and Bruno

Château Rives-Blanques has long been known for being environmentally friendly and was among the first vineyards in France to be given the 'Agriculture Raisonnée' accreditation by the Ministry of Agriculture, confirming the ecological honesty and integrity of the way they grow their grapes and manage their lands. A happy combination of altitude (350 meters above sea level) and brisk summer winds lends a helping hand by keeping unwanted pests at bay - naturally. They never use chemical fertilizers and all vine cuttings, grape pips and skins left over from the pressing are ploughed back into the soil.

AOC Limoux

For centuries Limoux has produced white wines that sparkle naturally after a second fermentation. They became known as Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette meaning simply ‘white’ in the Occitan language. Locals claim that fermentation in the bottle was developed here long before it was practised in Champagne; dating the production of cork-stoppered sparkling wines at the Abbey of St.-Hilaire from 1531.

The order at the Abbey of St.-Hilaire was Benedictine. Dom (Pierre) Pérignon (1638-1715), who according to myth invented the méthode Champenoise, was a Benedictine monk and speculation has it that members of the order brought the secret with them when they migrated north. There is much debate over which area makes the best bubbly, but there can be no argument about which produces the best marketers ... a bottle of the delicious Blanquette de Limoux from Château Rives-Blanques is $26.00, while a bottle of Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon currently sells for $219.95 at the LCBO!

In 1993 the AOC Limoux appellation was revised to include Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay in addition to the traditional Mauzac. Vinification in oak is mandatory. The region’s vineyards are so much higher, cooler and further from the Mediterranean influence than any other Languedoc appellation that the INAO authorities classify it as part of the Atlantic-influenced South West France rather than as part of Languedoc-Roussillon. The traditional grape variety is the Mauzac, locally called Blanquette, but increasing amounts of Chardonnay and to a lesser extent, Chenin Blanc have been planted.

The Exceptional Wines of Château Rives-Blanques

My buddy Bruno in his very spiffy barrel bed!

Jancis Robinson, the highly respected English wine writer is a big fan of the wines of Limoux and Château Rives-Blanques in particular. See her article in the Financial Times of London for the full story.

The prices below include our one dollar per bottle handling fee.

2009 Blanquette de Limoux (12.5% Alc./Vol.)                           $25/$150 case of six
The world's oldest sparkler is still made to this very day in Limoux, under the strictest AOC rules. Blanquette de Limoux is the oldest appellation in Languedoc-Roussillon (declared in 1938), and one of the first in France. It has the lowest permitted maximum yield of any sparkling wine in the country, and is made exclusively from hand harvested grapes. Made from 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, it is a beautiful luminous light yellow colour. The deep nose mixes fruity notes and lightly toasted touches of vanilla. The mouth is seductively round, full and deep. It goes wonderfully with pan fried trout, shellfish and oriental cuisine. It has won numerous medals and awards and has been a huge success at our various dinners and tastings. “Light, fresh nose with real bite and length – well done, very refreshing” – Jancis Robinson. “A great Champagne substitute” – Steven Spurrier – Decanter.  Order your party in a bottle now.

2008 Crémant de Limoux Blanc de Blancs (12.5% Alc./Vol.)   $26/$156 case of 6
Blanquette de Limoux must contain at least ninety percent Mauzac while Crémant de Limoux may contain larger proportions of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. This Blanc de Blancs in fact contains only Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. It is a real mouthful … of fine and festive bubbles. This recent addition to the Rives-Blanques range of sparkling wines is crisp, clean and refreshing; made the same way as Champagne. Jancis Robinson says, “Pungent nose. Very tight bead. Fine in texture and just a whiff of Chenin. Quite delicate, more than a nod to the Loire.” “Elegant, creamy mouthful”- Rosemary George MW. Order this well-priced sparkler now.

2008 Crémant de Limoux Vintage Rosé (12.5% Alc./Vol.)        $27/$156 case of 6
“La vie en rose taken to a new festive dimension!” Made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and a dollop of Pinot Noir, this fresh, sparkling rosé is characterised by elegant, fine bubbles and a gorgeous pink hue. This absolutely delightful fizz will be a great start to any party. It is made the same way as Champagne as well.  “Pretty, delicate; dry and elegant” – Jancis Robinson. Gold medal – Competition of the Crémants of France. Order your elegant, festive ice-breaker now.

2007 Limoux Effervescent Sampler (12.5% Alc./Vol.)                    $26/$162 case of 6
Can’t make up your mind about which of the wonderful Rives-Blanques sparklers to order? Or, just interested to try them all? Well, this sampler is for you – two bottles each of the 2009 Blanquette de Limoux, 2008 Crémant Blanc de Blancs and 2008 Vintage Rosé in one joyful case. Order your sensational sparkling six-pak now.

The Still White Wines from Château Rives-Blanques:

2010 Le Chardonnay du Domaine (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                    $18/$108 case of 6
This little beauty, made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Chenin Blanc is the work horse of the Château Rives-Blanques stable. Don’t let the screw top put you off – it helps keep the wine fresh and youthful. And, 2010 a great vintage!

Tasting Notes from Cees Van Casteren, Dutch wine writer - “Clean, green-glazed light yellow in colour. Rich aromas of golden delicious apples, peach blossom and clover honey. A floral touch. Also round and ripe in the mouth, with peaches and apricots, good freshness and length. Excellent aperitif wine, also to accompany salad-based meals, pastas, roast chicken with tomatoes, thyme and blanched onion.” “Scrumptuous” – The Spectator. Order this lovely, value priced wine now.

2010 Dédicace - Chenin Blanc (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                         $24/$144 case of 6
Dédicace, made from 100% Chenin Blanc is a "modern style of wine" that has been made from 30 year old vines. Until recently it was the only Chenin Blanc with appellation status in the whole of Southern France. It has distinguished itself as one of the most interesting white wines from the region. Fermented and matured for six months in 8% new French oak barrels, it is pale gold with green highlights. Its aromas are quince, wood and soft spices and in the mouth it is big and aromatic, quite typically chenin (honey, lime-blossom). You will be conquered by the depth, the elegance and the balance of this wine with its long and fresh finish, lifted by an agreeable touch of bitter.

"Gorgeous ... an absolute delight" - Jane MacQuitty, London Times
"A distinguished chenin" - Guide Dussert-Gerber
"The finest chenin outside the Loire I have ever encountered" - Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor
"One of the six exceptional Languedoc white wine successes in 2010" - La Revue du Vin de France. 

Order your classy Chenin now.

2010 Cuvée Occitania – Mauzac (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                        $24/$144 case of 6
Mauzac is a grape of the Renaissance, referred to in Antiquamareto's Livre de Raison of 1525, but although once widespread, it is grown today only in two appellations: Limoux and Gaillac. Cuvée Occitania is the only 100% barrel-vinified Mauzac in the appellation - and perhaps in the world. It is a golden colour with light nuances of green. The nose is fine, elegant and subtly buttery with notes of yellow plums, peaches and apples. The mouth is complex, with a touch of honey in the finish. Pure pleasure! Cuvée Occitania has been included by La Revue du Vin de France in its roundup of the best wines of the millésime in France for the past four years in a row and awarded four stars by Decanter Magazine. For the past three years in a row it has been chosen by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for its World Business Class travelers. Order some pure pleasure now.

2010 Cuvée de l’Odyssée - Chardonnay (14.0% Alc./Vol.)             $24/$144 case of 6
Only hand-selected grapes from the top Chardonnay fields, arguably amongst the best in Limoux are used in the production of this outstanding Chardonnay. Fermented in French oak barrels, followed by 6 months maturation in the barrel (1/3 new), it is a brilliant yellow gold with light straw-coloured reflections. The nose is intense and charming characterised by soft notes of perfumed citrus fruit, vanilla, caramel and oak. The mouth is silky, full and marvellously textured. The freshness is carried by citrus and noticeable tannins. The Panmans suggest that this wine be decanted prior to serving.

Cuvée de l'Odyssée has been listed amongst the best wines of the year in France for the past five years in a row by La Revue du Vin de France and was included in the dream wine list drawn up by the three Best Sommelier in the World winners.

"Soft-edged, smooth, round ..." - Oz Clarke
"This chardonnay charms the senses" - 1,000 Vins du Monde selected by Oenologues de France
"An excellent cuvée of brilliant gold" - Guide Hachette des Vins

Order some of this truly superb Chardonnay now.

2009 La Trilogie (13.0% Alc./Vol.)                                                  $38/$228 case of 12
This is the star of the Château Rives-Blanques array of fine wines. It is comprised of the best barrels of the three grape varieties permitted by the AOC Limoux– Mauzac, Chardonnay (50%) and Chenin Blanc. The AOC also requires that all the grapes be hand-picked and the wine be fermented and matured in oak barrels. On the nose there is more than a note of sweetness with aromatic pear character. In the mouth it is full and sweetly endowed with notes of jasmine over the pear. It is full, aromatic, balanced and floral – an ideal companion for a good pâté. “This superb wine does honour to the Languedoc” – Bettane & Desseauve. Great stuff! Order this opulent beauty now.

Limoux Still White Sampler                                                 $25/$150 case of 6
Here is the perfect opportunity to try five very unique and totally delicious white wines from the stellar, but curiously not well known French wine region of Limoux. You get two bottles of the vibrant 2010 Chardonnay du Domaine and one bottle each of the superb 2009 Dédicace (Chenin Blanc), 2010 Cuvée de l’Odyssée (Chardonnay), 2010 Cuvée Occitania (Mauzac) and the magnificent 2009 La Trilogie. These are all very special white wines and I highly recommend you give them a try. Order your bevy of wonderful whites now.

Do you know others who might enjoy some world class sparklers and wonderful whites from Southern France? If you do, we would appreciate it if you passed this bulletin on to them.

The O!France tour to Provence for September 2012 is filling up quite nicely. Please contact Hélène to make your reservations.

Soon to Emerge from Arthur’s Cellar
Our next featured wines will be the splendid Southern Rhône from Domaine de la Gramière followed by the highly rated 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Roger Sabon.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.arthursellers.com