Carcassonne is within a wine-producing area that is responsible for Corbières, Fitou and Minervois among other lesser-known, smaller classifications. We couldn't come back without at least a small sample of the local produce.
Our first stop was at the offices and warehouse of Sieur d'Arques in the town of Limoux (Where the scented garden is). They make a lot of sparkling wine and use the brand name Première Bulle to mark the fact that the first fizzy wine ever produced came from Limoux.
The Champagne system uses a double fermentation to produce a strong wine with great effervescence. The original (pre-Champagne) method (discovered, presumably, in Limoux) uses a single fermentation and results in a mild (6%) and sweet fizz. Sieur d'Arques make both kinds, and we got some of each.
Our other visit was to a warehouse run under the name Celliers d'Orphée, who seemed to be just opening for the tourist season. I was driving so I couldn't take full advantage of the tasting (had to spit the wine out, what a waste), but the numerous gold and silver medals plastered all over the price list seemed well-merited. We didn't buy a lot, but it's enough to be getting on with. It might last us a few weeks.
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