J.Laurens produce both Mauzac-dominated Blanquette de Limoux and Chardonnay-based Crémant de Limoux from their 30 ha of organically-farmed vineyards slightly south-west of Carcassone. The domaine was established by a champenois in the 80s and is today owned by Jacques Calvel, who surrounded by an expert local team, has built the domaine's current reputation for outstanding sparkling wines.

Limoux is divided into four zones, as there is such a diversity of microclimate and terrain. J. Laurens is in the area called Autan, which is quite cool, but wetter than the Mediterranean area. M. Calvel, true to the champenois founder, makes only sparkling wine, which is quite rare - most people do produce still wine as well, and he produces four different cuvées.  M. Calvel describes the typicity of his wine, and speaks of finesse, elegance, fraicheur. He wants to continue in the style of the former owner and he wants to make wines that are true to themselves and their place, and not complicated by external influences. Upon tasting his wines, I would say that he succeeds. Since 2003 Pinot Noir has been permitted in a Crémant de Limoux blend, leading to J.D. Laurens making their first NV rose in 2007.  'Blanquette' is a local name for the Mauzac grape variety, from which this wine is predominantly made. Green apple aromas and a hint of apricots lead to a complex, refined body that shows a sound backbone of crisp acidity. La Rose No7 is a seriously good sparkling rosé, and drinks like a wine twice its price! Bring on the oysters!

Pierre Gaillard studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier.  He bought his first parcel of land in 1981 which was called Clos de Cuminailles, located in Malleval.  It was there in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval that Gaillard established his business.  In 2002, he created the estate of Madeloc in Banyuls-sur-Mer, followed by the estate of Cottebrune in Faugères in 2007.  Today, Gaillard manages a total of 77 hectares. The vineyard is located in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Cote-Rotie down through to Cornas in the South. Planted on steep slopes, the vines are located on the last foothills of the Massif Central. Gaillard's Les Moulins Blanc, a delicious white wine that comes from a region known mostly for red. Pierre Gaillard has long recognized the unique schist soils of Faugères and his wines from his Domaine Cottebrune are without a doubt top-notch. This is a bright and fresh blend of Roussanne, Vermentino, and Grenache Blanc that comes from a 1-hectare plot. While the young vines lend the wine generous fruit flavors, it's the high altitude and soil that impart this wine's elegant mineral signature.