Les Caves du Sieur d'Arques, 'Toques et Clochers' Limoux Chardonnay

The Toques et Clochers Limoux Chardonnay is an excellent Chardonnay from the Caves du Sieur d'Arques cooperative based at Limoux in the Aude region of the Languedoc. The co-op was founded in 1946 and today has over 400 members.

The 'Toques et Clochers' Chardonnay was first introduced in 1989 and takes its name from the gala dinner held every year and cooked by a celebrity chef (hence the chef's hat - 'toque') whilst the wine is auctioned and the proceeds used to maintain the church bells of a different wine village every year (hence the 'clochers').  Aged in new oak, this superb white bears many of the hallmarks of a lighter white Burgundy.

The Toques et Clochers Limoux Chardonnay is a full-bodied white with a palate of butterscotch and tropical fruits with underlying spicy notes provided by the oak. The texture is creamy and the finish lingering. Food: Great with escargots stuffed with parsley and garlic, veal kidneys a la moutarde or a chunk of the best Brie cheese you can lay your hands on!

Victoria Moore wrote a great piece in the Telegraph in March 2013 about Limoux Chardonnay.