Gérard Bertrand scores with his €150 Crémant de Limoux

nly G̩rard Bertrand could be bold enough to market an AOC Cr̩mant de Limoux at this price. At Wine Paris, the Languedoc wine producer presented his first high-end sparkling wine. In fact, not just high-end but ultra-high-end for a Limoux appellation wine Рhis Aigle Imp̩rial 2015 vintage label has a retail price tag of 150 euros, which takes it closer to a 12-bottle case of AOC Cr̩mant than to a single bottle.

The new label is part of the Gérard Bertrand treasure range – along with wines like Clos du Temps and Cigalus. The organically-certified Brut Nature is produced in limited quantities – less than 15,000 bottles for the first vintage – and made from Chardonnay, Chenin and Pinot noir from Domaine de l’Aigle in Roquetaillade, Aude. After eight years’ ageing on the lees, the wine was deemed to be suitable for disgorging and release at the end of 2024. Other vintages are now awaiting for the official go-ahead although no annual release date has been set.

Another marker of the value of Languedoc wines by Gérard Bertrand is the release of the single-vineyard Plantabelle label, a selection of Grenache and Syrah from Château des Deux Rocs. The 2021 vintage AOC Languedoc Cabrières wine was farmed biodynamically and has a retail price tag of €65. It follows on from previous labels including La Forge and Hospitalitas.