BKWine Pick: Château Rives-Blanques, Limoux

Château Rives-Blanques, Limoux

The view from Chateau Rives-Blanques is fantastic: the snow capped tops of the Pyrenees mountain tops. No wonder that Carly and Jan Panman decided to settle here in this majestic environment. Limoux makes a lot of white wines and Rives Blanques makes no reds at all. But they do make several different whites: dry, sparkling (both Blanquette and Crémant) and even sweet (plus a rosé). The traditional grape variety is mauzac and they use it both for the easy-drinking, apply Blanquette and to the still wine Cuvée Occitania, on of our favourites. With its flowery, apply, refreshing character Occitania shows excellently what mauzac can do on its own with skilful winemaking – exactly what Jan and Caryl wanted with this cuvée. Another wine to mention in their range is La Trilogie, made from the three grapes chardonnay, chenin blanc, and mauzac. Six months in oak gives it a certain body that is balanced by a refreshing lemony acidity and (again) apples. You should also try their Dédicace, made exclusively from 100% chenin blanc, a variety that thrives in Limoux.

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