Antech “M Le Mauzac” Brut Nature is a sparkling wine from the Limoux appellation in southern France, crafted by Maison Antech, a family-owned winery with a legacy spanning six generations. This wine is part of a special range created by Françoise Antech-Gazeau to highlight the Mauzac grape, the traditional variety of the region. Made using the traditional method (similar to Champagne), it undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and is aged on its lees for at least 12-26 months, depending on the vintage. As a “Brut Nature,” it receives zero dosage (no added sugar), resulting in a crisp, pure expression of the grape and terroir. The wine showcases a pale straw color with fine, delicate bubbles, offering aromas of green apple, pear, and subtle floral notes like apple blossom or hawthorn, alongside hints of citrus zest and anise. On the palate, it’s dry, fresh, and vibrant with a tingling rather than aggressive fizz, revealing flavors of orchard fruits, pomelo pith, and a mineral finish.
Critics Reviews
- Jancis Robinson (Tamlyn Currin, July 2020): “Apple blossom and minty. Dry, but gentle thanks to the soft bubbles. More tingling than fizzing. Green apples, pomelo pith and peel, chicory leaf and a tiny hint of nectarine. Mauzac stripped bare. I’d love to try this with cockles!” This review praises its purity and suggests its versatility with food.
- Decanter: Rated 90 points for a non-specific vintage, describing it as having a “gentle apple-aniseed aroma and flavour. Clean and persistent with manifest concentration and a bone-dry finish. A well-made, elegant wine.”
- Wine Enthusiast: For the 2016 vintage, it scored 90 points, noting “orchard fruit and fresh-dried hay form the bouquet… with a touch of ginger-kissed pie crust in the background. The palate boasts enticing just-ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors, like sliced apple, pear, tangelo and Meyer lemon.”
Critics consistently highlight its elegance, crispness, and the authentic expression of Mauzac.
Food Pairings
This wine’s bone-dry profile, lively acidity, and delicate bubbles make it highly versatile:
- Seafood: Pairs beautifully with shellfish like cockles, oysters, shrimp, or crab, as well as sushi and ceviche.
- Appetizers: Complements light hors d’oeuvres, such as goat cheese crostini, smoked salmon toasts, or crudités.
- Main Dishes: Matches well with roast chicken, fried fish, or creamy pasta dishes with seafood or vegetables.
- Desserts: Works with fruit-based desserts like apple tart or crumble, enhancing the wine’s orchard fruit notes.
- Other: Its freshness cuts through rich, salty flavors like charcuterie or walnuts.
