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Delicious Fizz - Oldest Sparkling in the World
A little piece of history here. No, not the Adam and Eve fridge magnet with genitals obscured by grape bunches that you bought on a trip to a wine region ten years ago, but genuine wine history.
St Hilaire is the world's oldest sparkling wine label. Yep, established in 1531, a good 450 years before Australia won the America's Cup, had a decent cricket team again or decided mullets weren't cool hairstyles, the St Hilaire Benedictine monks were busy making fizz.
Delicious fizz too. They took the indigenous grape variety of the region, Mauzac, and fermented the stuff – the resulting wine evolved over the generations, and has become the delicious sparkling wine we drink today.
St Hilaire is full of green apple, grapefruity zestiness with a tight, refreshing feel. Elegant, pure and crisp it's a perfect aperitif with easy drinking appeal.
So do your bit for history. Crack a bottle of St Hilaire. Let's help them get to 500 years.
- World's Oldest Sparkling Wine Label
- Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines
- Blend: 90% Mauzac, 5% Chenin, 5% Chardonnay.
- Mauzac is a rare grape variety exclusive to the Limoux terroir, characterized by its peach, pear and green apple aromas.
- Low yields, 50 hectolitres / hectare
- Exclusively hand-picked to preserve the grapes quality.
- 2nd fermentation – The bottles are stored horizontally in dark cellars with regulated temperature, 15°C, and humidity so that the prise de mousse takes place slowly, an entirely natural process.
- Ageing on second fermentation lees during 12 months…
| Name |
SAINT-HILAIRE Blanquette de Limoux (12) |
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| Varieties |
Chardonnay Mauzac Chenin Blanc |
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| Foods |
As an aperitif or with smoked salmon canapes |
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| Background |
From Limoux in France, this is oldest sparkling wine in the world.. yes, predating champagne! Hand-picked grapes made into a beautiful sparkling wine made in a brut style. |
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| Colour |
Light golden yellow |
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| Nose |
Attractive yeasty aromas of peach, pear and green apples |
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| Palate |
Light & crisp with citrus and apples, balanced body. Dry, toasty and smooth with a luscious creamy texture. |
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| Highlights |
“A super sparkling wine value… similar to non-vintage champagne at one-third the price”
- Robert Parker Jnr |
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| Winery Information |
In 1531 the Benedictin monks from Abbey of Saint-Hilaire
were producing a still wine made with Mauzac, the local grape variety,
and discovered the 2nd fermentation in the bottle and Blanquette de Limoux the oldest sparkling wine in the world was born. |
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