AOC Languedoc-Roussillon, AOC Côtes du Rhône,
AOC Provence, Vins de Pays, Customized wines

DOMAINE J. LAURENS

Domaine J. Laurens specializes producing sparkling wines by using the traditional method, like in Champagne. The appellations are Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux Rosé.
In 1531, the monks of St. Hilaire Abbey, near Limoux, invented the world's first sparkling wine where "BRUT ORIGINE" comes from.
The estate is located in the LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON region, France, in the heart of Cathar country.
Domain Laurens is part of the LIMOUX appellation.
In the early 1980s, a specialist from the Champagne region, seeing the potential of Limoux for sparkling wines, came to Limoux and created Domaine Laurens. This man brought with him the technical skills and discipline essential for the diverse stages in production of refreshing light sparkling wines.

The domaine is situated around the villages of "La Digne d'Aval" and "La Digne d'Amont", less than 5 kilometres away from Limoux. The region's climate is influenced by the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In particular, warm sunny days followed by cool nights, allowing them to grow grapes in perfect health and with optimum ripeness. This is how we manage to keep a delicate acid-sugar balance, the fundamental element in the taste of sparkling wines.

Domaine Laurens stretches over 25 hectares on the terroir around Autan. The vinevard was planted with great care :

- the Mauzac and Chenin are found on moderately fertile, stony, clay-limestone slopes and terraces but with regular water supply,
- the Chardonnay and the Pinot are found in deep, fertile soils with sufficient water.

The vines have an average age of around 15 years. The vineyards were planted in différent ways, which allows a very precise and graded selection schedule ai harvesting time. This distinctive feature is a major factor in giving the final product lis freshness and unique character.

The wine making and second fermentation in boules take place in the main cellar. It is very well equipped, allowing a complete control of the sparkling ,vine production process and maturation, including all the equipment needed for bottling, riddling, disgorging, re-corking and labelling.

Les Graimenous, Aoc Cremant de Limoux

This Cremant reminds us of the aromatic intensity of Chardonnay, freshness of Chenin and typical character of Mauzac with the Pinot Noir lending good structure. Intense, rounded, well-balanced with lingering finish, this wine has taken the best of each grape variery.

Clos des Demoiselles, Aoc Cremant de Limoux

With its impressive boule in honour of the BRUT ORIGINEL style, this vine has similar characteristics to Les Graimenous. Only the best juice from the press is selected.
The young wine is blended from the différent varieties after tasting. This wine's original character lies in the varying proportion of Chardonnay blended into the final wine.

La Rose N° 7, Aoc Cremant de Limoux

Rosé Cremant de Limoux production was allowed for the first time in 2007. The high demand for sparkling rosé ,vines on différent markets (e.g. on the French market is OK but on the mark-et on lis own sounds odd) pushed the Limoux region to change their appellation rules and allow production of Rosé as Cremant de Limoux. The rosé is vinified by the same method as in Champagne.

At Domaine Laurens, it's made from Chardonnay : 60 % , Chenin : 30 % and Pinot : 10 %.

The Chardonnay and Chenin were harvested early to keep their freshness. To get delicate red fruit aromas and light rosé (pink) colour, the Pinot Noir has to be picked fully ripe.