Limoux

Limoux is a subprefecture in the Aude departement. It lies on the river Aude about 30 km south of Carcassonne and 20 km from Chalabre. Its vineyards are famous for being first to produce sparkling wine known as Blanquette de Limoux. The main grape of the wine is Mauzac, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin blanc. Wine historians believe that the world's first sparkling wine was produced in this region in 1531, by the monks at the abbey in Saint-Hilaire, Aude.