What is Bulle de Blanquette?
What Is Bulle de Blanquette?
Although widely accepted as the very first sparkling wine ever created and produced for commercial consumption, the majority of people have never heard of Bulle de Blanquette.
The Origin of Sparkling Wine
The first recorded mention of Bulle de Blanquette dates back to 1531. It was the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire who first produced this sparkling wine. Its unique sparkling characteristic made it popular throughout France at a time when no other wine had this effervescence.
Early Innovation with Cork and Fermentation
Lying just north of the cork forests of Catalunya in Spain, the monks successfully adapted cork stoppers—tied tightly to each bottle—to contain the pressurized liquid and conduct secondary fermentation. After much fine-tuning, they gifted the world its first sparkling wine.
Where It’s Made Today
Today, Bulle de Blanquette is produced exclusively in the Appellation Blanquette de Limoux, located in southern France. According to AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) regulations, the primary grape used must be Mauzac, a local variety cultivated in the region for over 500 years. Mauzac must constitute at least 90% of the wine, with the remaining 10% allowed to be Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc.
Originally, only Mauzac was used, but the inclusion of international varieties like Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc helps give modern Blanquette a broader flavor profile and international appeal.
Bulle de Blanquette: A Wine of Tradition
One of the most fascinating traditions around Bulle de Blanquette is that it is only bottled during the full moon in March. This tradition began as a way to ensure that fermentation was complete before the cold of winter and the warming of spring could interfere with the yeast. Bottling during this period also avoids temperature fluctuations that could disrupt the fermentation process.
Grapes are hand-harvested and carefully packed into small boxes to preserve each berry. Grapes that are broken, oversized, or undersized are discarded. The appellation mandates low yields to ensure quality and concentration in every bottle.
Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale
The only other type of wine within the appellation is Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale, which is made solely from Mauzac grapes. This style undergoes a single fermentation, resulting in a sweeter, often cloudy sparkling wine. The cloudiness is due to the presence of expired yeast still suspended in the liquid during fermentation.
Limoux: The Home of Bulle de Blanquette
Limoux, a small market town in the Aude Department at the foothills of the Pyrenees, has lent its name to the wines of the surrounding region for centuries. The appellation includes 41 communes around the 2,000-year-old town, totaling around 4,500 hectares.
Carnaval de Limoux
A fun fact about Limoux: the town is home to one of the world’s longest-running carnivals, originating from a 700-year-old tradition. Local millers, having been relieved of their taxes, would walk through the village streets distributing sugared almonds and flour, accompanied by minstrels.
This tradition lives on today in the Carnaval de Limoux, which runs from January to April each year and is self-described as the longest carnival in the world.
Thousands of people visit Limoux annually to enjoy the music, costumes, history—and of course, to indulge in endless pours of Bulle de Blanquette.
A Sparkling Treasure in Cathar Country
Located in the heart of Cathar country, Limoux has gifted the world with more than just medieval charm and rustic cuisine—it is home to the world’s oldest sparkling wine. Bulle de Blanquette is more than a drink; it’s a piece of cultural heritage. A visit to Limoux is a must for lovers of history, tradition, artisanal wine, and timeless celebrations.
