Love & Languedoc: behind the vines at Domaine de la Baume
by Lucinda Beeman - August 23, 2017
From France’s largest wine region, the Terroir La Baume Crémant de Limoux in August’s Bubble Box upholds the three values of its winery: tradition, terroir and quality. Here winemaker Vincent Euzet, a second generation winemaker who never even considered another career, tells Bubble Club about his fabulous fizz.
Can you tell me about the history of Domaine de la Baume?
In 1882, Jean Prat the elder, a 19th century visionary, took over Domaine de la Baume, which had been lying fallow since the phylloxera outbreak, which had destroyed many European vineyards. With the help of his sons, in the space of 20 years he restored 100 hectares of vineyard, exported his production around Europe for the first time and opened a shop in Paris in 1900.
Following several changes of ownership after the Second World War, Domaine de la Baume saw its biggest investment and modernisation when Joseph Helfrich from the Grands Chais de France Group bought the property in 2003. Today the Domaine now produces authentic wines for authentic wine-lovers.
What makes the Languedoc so special for the production of sparkling wines?
The region has one of the more dependable climates in France and, combined with the fertile clay-limestone soils, the most suitable conditions to grow Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir with good acid and sugar levels – characteristics essential for producing the best sparkling wines.
Your unique terroir makes your wines particularly good for pairing with food. Why is that?
Domaine de la Baume in the Languedoc-Roussillon region is situated in Servian, between Béziers and the medieval town of Pézenas, at the centre of one of the world’s largest wine-growing areas. Within the larger area, our terroir comprises limestone gravel on “semi-coteaux”, clay-limestone and clay sandy plateaux, combined with the best climate and the best people. These combined terroir assets provide grapes with a wide range of aromas and flavours, and it is this complexity that create wines that are best enjoyed with food.
Is there a particular philosophy of winemaking that you adhere to at Domaine de la Baume?
Minimal intervention and maximum sustainability! Let nature take its course and only intervene when we know that we can make a positive improvement, in a way that is sustainable for the land.
In what ways is your Crémant de Limoux a characteristic wine of Languedoc-Roussillon?
This is a benchmark Crémant de Limoux – fine and refreshing with a citrus and almond twist, but the region is capable of making a huge variety of wine styles, from highly aromatic still white Viognier, to big, bold, meaty red wines (see sheet of other wines in our range).
What’s your favourite way to enjoy this wine?
Chilled to around 6 to 8 degrees and enjoyed with friends, either as an aperitif or with any seafood dish of your choice!
