Mauzac is the traditional grape variety of the Limoux vineyards. Unknown elsewhere, here it produces fresh and lively sparkling wines, often accompanied (as it is in this case!) by a tickle of Chenin Blanc. The J. Laurens Brut NV is a benchmark in the region, filled with plenty of green apple, unripe apricot and delicate floral notes. The acid line is gentle but keeps the flavours fresh, and there's some gentle zestiness on the finish.

This is a historical treasure - the Limoux region has the first recorded sparkling wines ever made, in 1531! That's before Champagne! And yet the wines remain an undiscovered gem by much of the world. We're here to rip the cover off this special wine region. For context, the region is in the south of France, near the old city of Carcassone, and about 1hrs drive to the south-east of Toulouse. J Laurens make only sparkling from their 30 hectare estate, and have gotten pretty good at it over the years! Theirs is a focus on quality rather than quantity. The estate has a history dating back over 50 years, but it is only since a reinvigoration in 2002 by returning local entrepreneur Jacques Calvel, that the wines have really hit their straps. A strong move towards organic viticulture and sustainable winemaking has paid off doubly, with the ecological approach appealing to the locals and international visitors alike, and also increasing the quality of the wines. The wines are made in the 'traditional method' - ie exactly the same as Champagne - a long, slow process that emphasises time on lees to bring out complexity. The sparkling wines of Domaine J Laurens deserve to better known around the world, and we're thrilled to share the with you!