From: Limoux, Languedoc, France
Blend: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Mauzac
Taste: The bouquet is complex and captivating, displaying a harmonious blend of ripe fruit aromas such as pear, green apple, and apricot, alongside delicate floral notes of honeysuckle & jasmine, plus subtle baking spice notes. On the palate, this wine is generous and ample, with a rich texture that is perfectly balanced by its crisp acidity. Those fruit flavors and subtle spice notes carry through from the nose, accompanied by a refreshing minerality. The finish is long and elegant, and leaves a lingering impression of harmony and finesse.
Pairing: The 2020 Domaine Altugnac Limoux Blanc Terres Amoureuses is a versatile wine that can complement a wide range of dishes. Its richness and acidity make it an ideal partner for seafood, white meat, and creamy pasta dishes. Its layered flavors also enhance the taste of various cheeses, such as goat cheese, Brie, or Camembert.
This wine hails from the Languedoc region of France, making it a fitting companion for local specialties. It pairs exceptionally well with cassoulet, a hearty bean and meat stew (try the turkey version below with this wine), as well as with truffle-infused dishes, such as truffle omelets or truffle risotto. For seafood lovers, try pairing it with Brandade de Morue, a creamy salt cod and potato dish.
Also, this Limoux Blanc is a delightful match for vegetarian dishes that feature rich, creamy flavors or earthy, umami notes. Consider pairing it with a wild mushroom risotto, a vegetable quiche, or a creamy cauliflower gratin. The wine's acidity and minerality also complement fresh, green salads with a tangy vinaigrette, grilled vegetable skewers, or a flavorful ratatouille.
Ad-Lib Turkey Cassoulet
By David Tanis
About. Domaine Altugnac, nestled in the Aude Valley, is home to a truly exceptional white wine – the 2020 Limoux Blanc Terres Amoureuses. This beautiful creation is the product of a long-standing friendship between Jean-Luc Terrier and Christian Collovray, who also own the renowned Domaine des Deux Roches in the Mâconnais. Their love for winemaking brought them to the Limoux appellation, an area in the Languedoc region that provides the ideal conditions for Chardonnay and Mauzac grapes to thrive.
Terres Amoureuses – A Wine of Passion and Harmony. This stunning wine is named after the unique soil composition of the region, which is affectionately called "terre amoureuse," or "loving soil," by the locals. The blend consists of 85% Chardonnay and 15% Mauzac, a local grape variety known for its acidity and aromatics. The wine is fermented with indigenous yeast, and only 3,000 cases are produced annually.
The 2020 Domaine Altugnac Limoux Blanc Terres Amoureuses boasts a beautiful golden yellow color, with a complex bouquet that combines ripe fruit, floral, and spicy aromas, accompanied by fine toasted notes. The wine is ample, generous, and perfectly balanced, making it an ideal companion for a convivial aperitif or to enhance a variety of dishes.
Food and Wine Pairings. Terres Amoureuses pairs wonderfully with warm goat cheese or foie gras toast, poultry with cream, fish, and shellfish. Other delightful pairings include Blanquette of Veal, White Pudding, Cantal, Comté, Pan-fried Scallops, Grilled Shrimps, Turkey with Chestnut, Crayfish à la nage, Roasted Lobster, and Warm oysters au gratin. The wine's versatility also allows it to enhance the flavors of cooked or hard cheese, white meat, and a wide range of seafood dishes.
Unique Winemaking Process. The meticulous winemaking process at Domaine Altugnac begins with hand-picking the grapes to ensure they arrive at the winery in whole clusters. Limoux white wines are unique as they are the only Languedoc appellation where fermentation and aging must occur in oak casks (in this case, large oak casks). Aging on fine lees, with manual stirring every fortnight, lasts until May 1st after the harvest, sometimes longer depending on the wine grower's approach.
In Conclusion. The 2020 Domaine Altugnac Limoux Blanc Terres Amoureuses is an exquisite wine that reveals the passion and expertise of winemakers Jean-Luc Terrier and Christian Collovray. This golden treasure from the Aude Valley is a testament to the incredible potential of the Limoux appellation, and a must-try for any wine enthusiast.
