Family-owned and independent for 6 generations, Maison Antech is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines in Limoux, a great terroir of bubbles. A pioneer in its regional roots and in the renewal of traditions, Antech is distinguished by an assertive style, from the elegance of its bubbles to the commitment of its action.

Françoise, a member of the sixth generation, inherited her elders’ strong character. A guardian of the heritage, she is also a fervent advocate of social and cultural action in her region. Alongside students and jobless people, she transmits a taste for action. Alongside artists, she provides support by sponsoring musical activities.

Limoux sits in the cool foothills of the Pyrenees south of Carcassonne, where Mediterranean sunshine meets Atlantic freshness. Altitude (roughly 100–500 metres) and persistent winds slow ripening, preserving acidity—one reason the area is famed for France’s earliest sparkling wines. Soils are predominantly clay-limestone with pockets of sandstone and limestone scree, adding zip and texture. The vineyard is mapped into four terroirs—Océanique, Méditerranéen, Autan and Haute Vallée—each with distinct exposures and harvest dates.

Three sparkling appellations anchor the region. Blanquette de Limoux champions Mauzac (minimum 90%), typically bringing green-apple and meadow-grass notes. Crémant de Limoux leans on Chardonnay and Chenin (together up to 90%), with Pinot Noir and Mauzac permitted in smaller proportions for structure and nuance. The historic Méthode Ancestrale style is gently sweet, low in alcohol and Mauzac-led. Across the board, the traditional method and extended lees ageing deliver fine bubbles and a biscuity, mineral finish.

Chenin Blanc is a versatile white grape variety originating in France’s Loire Valley, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Known for its high natural acidity and adaptability, Chenin Blanc thrives in a range of climates and soils, making it one of the most flexible white grapes in the world.

Viticulturally, Chenin Blanc is a vigorous and early-budding vine, which can make it susceptible to spring frosts. However, its thick skins and ability to retain acidity allow for a wide range of picking times, supporting various wine styles—from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, including sparkling wines.

While still prominent in France—especially in Vouvray, Anjou, and Saumur—Chenin Blanc has found remarkable success in South Africa, where it is the most widely planted grape. Called Steen, the South African examples range from fresh, citrus-driven styles to complex, oak-aged wines with notes of stone fruit, honey, and spice.

Chenin Blanc is also grown in the USA (notably California), Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, often used in blends or as a varietal wine.

Flavour profiles include green apple, pear, quince, honeysuckle, and melon in dry versions, while sweeter styles offer notes of apricot, honey, and ginger. Its natural acidity and age-worthiness make Chenin Blanc a favourite among sommeliers and wine enthusiasts alike.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.