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Bijou moves into sparkling with Éminence de Bijou Crémant de Limoux

30 January 2026 By Michael Huband

Bijou is adding the Languedoc’s quintessential crémant to its range, having spent two years developing an expression that “justifies its place in the quality-driven range”. The new sparkling will debut at the upcoming edition of Wine Paris.

Southern French producer Bijou will unveil Éminence de Bijou Crémant de Limoux at Wine Paris 2026 – a sparkling wine shaped by site, structure and precision. Crafted in the foothills of Pyrenees, it offers a modern interpretation of one of the world’s oldest sparkling styles, capturing Limoux’s distinctive sense of place.

Crémant de Limoux sits at a unique intersection in the Languedoc, where altitude and cooler microclimates in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude are driving a new era of quality. With temperatures on average three degrees Celsius lower than the plains around Narbonne, this cooler part of the region is recognised for its ability to produce premium wines.

This new release is sourced exclusively from carefully selected sunny hillsides in Villelongue-d’Aude, a small and characterful village in the heart of Cathar country, 330 metres above sea level. Nestled between oak forests and wild scrubland, the site experiences a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic influence, where the warmth of the south meets the freshness of altitude. This unique balance allows slow, even ripening, preserving natural acidity and aromatic purity.

For its Crémant, Bijou has adopted a blend with a deliberately high proportion of Pinot Noir. Traditionally under-represented in Limoux, this variety brings structure and tension to the wine. The final composition of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Chenin Blanc is designed to prioritise depth and line over overt fruit expression.

At 30%, Pinot Noir plays a discreet yet essential structural role. Rather than contributing overt red-fruit aromas, it adds aromatic depth and phenolic texture, providing subtle grip and vinosity that white varieties alone cannot achieve. It also enhances ageing potential, supporting Chardonnay’s precision and Chenin’s freshness while lending the wine understated elegance.

Produced following the méthode traditionnelle, the wine is aged 15–18 months on lees – nearly twice the appellation minimum – which gives the time necessary to develop a fine, persistent mousse, delicate brioche notes, and a refined texture. Each bottle reflects Bijou’s meticulous, site-driven approach, from vineyard selection to gyropalette riddling, ensuring consistency and precision.

“After what has been a record-breaking year for Bijou, we’re excited to begin 2026 with a sparkling addition to our award-winning range,” says Edward Vellacott, managing director at Bijou.

“Eminence de Bijou Crémant de Limoux had to justify its place in our quality-driven range and this project has taken almost two years to see through. The higher proportion of Pinot Noir provides a structure and presence that we have not found in other Crémants from the region. We are delighted to add a contemporary sparkling expression to the range for buyers seeking a genuinely distinctive experience.”

“The wine had to justify its place through site, blend and extended time on lees, resulting in a style with structure, tension and depth. Pinot Noir sits at the heart of the blend and shapes the wine’s architecture. This is our interpretation of what Limoux can be, we want to stand out,” says Vellacott.

Éminence de Bijou reflects the same principles that underpin the wider Bijou portfolio: site-led sourcing, technical intent, and controlled production. In the UK, Bijou has grown sales by 60% across both on-trade and off-trade (Nielsen data, GB_Tot Cov during Latest 52 Wks – w/e 27/12/25), driven by buyers seeking wines with clear provenance and a distinctive point of difference.

Éminence de Bijou Crémant de Limoux will be presented alongside the Bijou range at Wine Paris 2026, Hall 7.2, Stand P279.

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