1531, Saint-Hilaire Abbey in Limoux, in France's southern Languedoc region. Benedictine monks there noticed something unusual in a white wine they had made: bubbles formed naturally inside the bottled wine. People at the time even called it "the devil's wine," because the unexplained foam sometimes burst the bottles.
But the monks soon realized the phenomenon was caused by a second fermentation inside the bottle. Limoux, influenced by the Pyrenees, has large temperature swings between day and night. Fermentation that had stopped in the winter cold often restarted in the spring, trapping carbon dioxide in the bottle and creating foam.
The monks then refined their bottling method and created a sparkling wine called "Blanquette de Limoux." In French, Blanquette de Limoux means "white wine of Limoux." "Blanquette," derived from "blanc" (white), is said to take its name from the white, downy film on the skins of Mauzac, the region's native grape variety. The name itself faithfully reflects the locality and the characteristics of the indigenous variety.
The wine industry regards this as the world's first sparkling wine. Sparkling wine often brings Champagne to mind, but some 150 years before the Champagne method was systematized, Limoux was already making wines with bubbles.
It is said that the local ruler at the time, Sieur d'Arques, enjoyed this sparkling wine. In 1946, Limoux's grape growers founded a cooperative winery named "Sieur d'Arques" after him. The aim was to promote the region's wines on the world market, backed by far greater scale and capital than private wineries. Today, Sieur d'Arques is regarded as Limoux's leading producer and is credited with playing a key role in sustaining the region's reputation as the birthplace of sparkling wine.
The winery has know-how spanning a range of sparkling winemaking techniques, from traditional methods to the Champagne method. In addition, every year on the Sunday before Easter, it hosts Toques et Clochers, a world-class wine auction, imprinting the value of Limoux wines on gourmets worldwide. A portion of the auction revenue is used to restore the area's historic church bell towers, continuing a tradition of mutual prosperity with the local community.
In particular, numerous Michelin-starred chefs join the event each year to present pairings with Sieur d'Arques wines. This became the decisive catalyst for Blason Rouge Brut to establish itself as a prestigious sparkling wine loved by fine-dining restaurants around the world.
One of Sieur d'Arques' flagship wines is Blason Rouge Brut. It is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Mauzac.
Limoux, where Sieur d'Arques is based, sits at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Atlantic climatic influences. Located on high ground at the foot of the Pyrenees, it has large diurnal temperature swings despite being in southern France. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining good acidity.
All grapes are harvested by hand, and the first fermentation takes place at 16 degrees to maximize aroma. The wine is then transferred to bottles for a second fermentation in bottle, using the traditional method to form fine bubbles. After fermentation, it ages on the lees, developing depth of flavor and a creamy texture. The sweetness is restrained to emphasize freshness and balance.
This traditional method is a time-consuming, high-end winemaking approach. Cheaper wines made by injecting carbon dioxide have large bubbles that dissipate quickly, but the traditional method produces very small, delicate, and persistent bubbles, resulting in a much smoother mouthfeel. Aging also brings flavors deeper and more elegant than simple fruit notes.
In the glass, a golden color tinged with green stands out. Aromas in the citrus spectrum—white flowers, green apple, lime—spread in layers, followed by lees-aging notes like hazelnut and toasted bread. The interplay of fruit and floral notes with toasty nuances adds depth to the wine. It is good as a light aperitif and pairs well with foie gras and lobster.
This wine earned two stars from Guide Hachette, a prestigious French wine guide, affirming its quality. It also won the grand prize in the sparkling wine category at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. The domestic importer is Tiger International.