Antech-Domaine de Flassian
Established in the early twentieth century by Edmond Antech the estate is now run by sons George and Roger, but the real driving force now is 6th generation winemaker Francoise Antech-Gazeau.
Following suatainable agricultural practices (Viticulture Raisonee) she produces exceptionally good sparkling wines using traditional champagne methods.
Last year (2007/8) saw the first cuvee of rose sparkling wine-Cuvee Emotion
Grapes are hand harvested in early September and fermented in stainless steel tanks with strict temperature control to ensure the best extraction of flavours and aromas. After fermentation-which takes between 15 to 21 days, the wines are then racked off and stored to settle. In December the wines are tasted, blended, and then bottled with the addition of a small quantity of sugar and yeast-"liquer de tirage". Once sealed up they then spend at least the next 12 to 18 months-(sometimes several years for the vintage wines) in the bottle undergoing the second fermentation which gives them the lovely delicate string of bubbles and elegant sparkle plus the additional flavours and aromas produced by the yeasts and second fermentation. As with Champagne, the bottles, once ready for final corking etc. are "riddled" which is a process of allowing the sediments and dead yeast cells to go to the neck of the bottle by a method of gradual turning and inverting of the bottle untill the deposits are delicately "swirled" to the neck. The neck is then flash frozen and the crown cap taken off. The release of the pressure (generated by the carbon dioxide produced in the bottle by the second fermentation) pops out the frozen deposit "disgorgement". The bottle is then topped up with a mix of wine and cane sugar-"liquer d'expedition" solution-the amount varying, dependant on the ultimate sweetness or dryness required in the finished wine-this process is called the "dosage". The wine is then sealed up with cork and wire and put back into storage awaiting its final departure to the market.
Producer Information
| Established | 1931 |
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| Size | |
| Website | www.antech-limoux.fr |
| Vineyards |
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| Wine List | View wines produced by Antech-Domaine de Flassian |
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