Introducing: Cuvée Françoise, The Best Sparkling Wine in the World Under-$20 & Lointier!

Cuvée Françoise & the Antech Legacy

Françoise AntechGazeau is the sixth generation of a winemaking family rooted in the hills of Limoux, insouthwestern France. Although born into this tradition, she initially forged a different path, pursuing a business career in Paris and working for L’Oréal. But in 1995, the pull of her heritage brought her home, where she joined her father Georges and uncle Roger to help revitalize the family winery. From that moment, her work would not only build on the legacy of her ancestors but also modernize and elevate it.

Her vision for the estate, and for the Cuvée Françoise wines in particular, is guided by three central principles: learning, leading, and sharing. She learned from those before her—the methods, values, and patience required to master traditional-method sparkling wine. She leads by focusing on sustainable viticulture, stylistic precision, and long lees aging, crafting wines of elegance and clarity. And she shares by mentoring the next generation, including her own son Baptiste, who joined her in 2020, and by co-founding Vinifilles, a collective promoting women and inclusivity in the wine industry.

The Antech family estate is located in Limoux, within the Languedoc region—a sun-soaked expanse in southwestern France that stretches between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea. This positioning creates a rare convergence of climatic influences: the cool air of the mountains, the breeze of the Atlantic, and the warmth of the south. These natural conditions give Limoux’s sparkling wines an expressive character—bright acidity, layered fruit, and crisp minerality.

Limoux holds a unique place in wine history. In 1531, long before Champagne existed, Benedictine monks at the nearby Abbey of Saint-Hilaire accidentally created the world’s first sparkling wine by bottling before fermentation had finished. This invention laid the groundwork for all sparkling wines to follow, and it happened just a short walk from the Antech vineyards. While Champagne eventually took the spotlight, Limoux remains the cradle of sparkling wine—a story and heritage that Françoise Antech is proudly reclaiming.

Cuvée Françoise isn’t just steeped in history—it stands out today for its exceptional quality and value. Priced at the incredibly low price of under $20, these sparkling wines rival—and often surpass—far more expensive alternatives. Every bottle is crafted in the traditional method (just like Champagne), with extended lees aging that builds complexity and fine bubbles. Yet they remain accessible, offering luxury without the luxury price tag.

The wines channel the distinctive terroir of Languedoc: mountain freshness, oceanic salinity, and Mediterranean ripeness. That harmony yields wines that are vibrant, precise, and deeply enjoyable. Each cuvée is hand- harvested and made with minimal intervention, part of a larger commitment to sustainability. The estate has followed Terra Vitis standards since 2013 and is moving toward full organic certification in 2025.

Perhaps most significantly, the wines carry the vision and energy of Françoise herself—a winemaker who bridges the old world and the new, a leader in both technical excellence and progressive values. Her role as a female leader in a historically male-dominated industry is central to the Cuvée Françoise story—and one reason the wines feel as forward-thinking as they are grounded in tradition.

Cava, Franciacorta, Prosecco (Valdobbiadene), and Champagne each have their place in the sparkling wine world. But Cuvée Françoise stands apart for several reasons. First, it comes from the very birthplace of sparkling wine—Limoux. This isn’t an imitation; it’s the original, with nearly five centuries of winemaking knowledge behind it.

Second, the lees aging and artisanal methods used in these wines far exceed what is typical at this price point. Most sub-$20 sparkling wines don’t come close to the finesse and complexity offered here. Third, the value-to- flavor ratio is simply unmatched. These wines are crafted with the care of top-tier Champagne, yet cost a fraction of the price. Lastly, the terroir of Languedoc gives them a unique character—fresh, mineral-driven, and layered—that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Cuvée Françoise is more than just an affordable sparkling wine—it is a reflection of deep heritage, passionate craftsmanship, and a bold, modern vision. It captures the spirit of Limoux and its pioneering history, while offering world-class quality at a price few can match. Françoise Antech has not only honored her family’s past—she has redefined what’s possible for the future of sparkling wine. For those in search of brilliance in the glass without breaking the bank, this is the bottle to open.

The Blanquette de Limoux Brut – Cuvée Françoise is a classic expression of the region’s heritage. Composed of 90% Mauzac, with 5% Chardonnay and 5% Chenin Blanc, this cuvée is made entirely by hand—from harvest to bottling. After direct pressing and primary fermentation in stainless steel, it undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle and is aged on its lees for approximately 18 months. The resulting wine shows a pale yellow color with golden reflections and offers delicate aromas of spring flowers, fresh apple, and pear. On the palate, it is lively and harmonious, with a round texture and crisp finish.

Blanquette de Limoux Brut

Special Price $19.99

The Crémant de Limoux Brut– Cuvée Françoise (Blanc) is more refined and complex, blending 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Mauzac. Grapes are harvested by hand, and the wine spends over 30 months on the lees—far exceeding the legal minimum of 9 months for crémant. A touch of dosage rounds out the wine after disgorgement. This cuvée opens with notes of greengage plum, white flowers, and lemon curd. The mousse is fine and persistent, the acidity is structured, and the finish is marked by a mineral elegance that lingers gracefully.

Crémant de Limoux Brut– Cuvée Françoise (Blanc)

Special Price $19.99

Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé

For a vibrant, fruit-driven expression, the Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé – Cuvée Françoise brings together 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 20% Pinot Noir. Crafted using the traditional method and aged for 18 months on its lees, it shows beautiful clarity and energy. Aromas of bright red berries, cherry blossom, and wild strawberry leap from the glass, while the palate is juicy and lifted with lively acidity. This rosé is especially food-friendly—perfect with canapés, smoked salmon, or even sushi.

Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé

Special Price $19.99

Each cuvée reflects Françoise Antech’s dedication to detail, balance, and tradition. Whether you’re discovering Limoux for the first time or are a seasoned sparkling wine enthusiast, these wines offer remarkable depth, precision, and value.

Wine is ready for collection from Sept 4 th

If you're looking for a Champagne under $100 that you almost certainly haven’t heard of—but will never forget once you taste it—Champagne Lointier the champagne you should know. Produced by Jean- Baptiste and Hélène Lointier in the Vallée de la Marne, this tiny, family-run domaine is the epitome of artisanal Champagne. With just 3 hectares of organically farmed vines and fewer than 4,000 bottles made annually, Lointier wines are not only rare—they’re crafted with extraordinary care, purity, and intention. Each bottle is made with no herbicides or insecticides, minimal sulfur, and spontaneous fermentations in oak barrels or amphorae, all from a cellar built beneath their home. The result? Champagnes that are vibrant, textured, and utterly terroir-driven.

What truly sets Lointier apart is not just their quality, but their story. Their passion for beekeeping threads through their wines—cuvées like Mellifera and Causica are named for bee species, and the wines hum with energy and life. Lointier’s wines are not just Champagne—they are expressions of place, people, and purpose. While mainstream brands offer consistency and marketing polish, Lointier offers discovery, exclusivity, and raw craftsmanship. At under $80, there is almost nothing in Champagne that delivers this level of depth, personality, and sustainability. It’s the bottle your friends, loved ones and clients won’t recognize—but the one they’ll remember.

Champagne Lointier Mellifera Blanc de Noirs (Extra Brut) is a captivating expression of terroir and artisanal craft. This Blanc de Noirs cuvée is composed of 85 % Pinot Noir and 15 % Meunier sourced from the Lieux-Dits “Les Gueuvaines” and “Les Cailleaux.” The vineyard lies on clay-limestone soils, enriched by meticulous, chemical- free farming practices that reflect the couple’s passion for biodiversity and beekeeping.

The winemaking is minimal-interventionist and thoughtful. The base wine ages for 11 months in used oak barrels from the couple's own forest, then undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle before spending around three years on the lees. This long élevage, combined with a restrained dosage of just 1.5 g/L, results in an Extra Brut Champagne that balances tension and texture with remarkable finesse.

On the nose, Mellifera opens with fresh nuances of the underbrush and fragrant red berries—both vivid and earthy. The palate is intense and vibrant, offering juicy fruit punctuated by minerality and a compelling savory structure. Reviewers describe its finish as “deep and savory,” leaving the palate clean yet thoroughly satisfied. Critics highlight its balance: rich and round yet precise, with spicy undertones, creamy presence, and a dynamic, aromatic profile that rewards both immediate enjoyment and short-term cellaring.

Mellifera is sophisticated, expressive, and authentically grounded. At under $70—a relative bargain for such artisanal depth—it stands out as a rare and remarkable offering in the Champagne world.

Regular Price $69.99

Special 6 bottle Price $66.99

90+ bottles available

Champagne Lointier Causica Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut is a striking expression of 100% Pinot Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne, and one of the most original, elegantvChampagnes you’ve probably never tasted. This cuvée is sourced from a singlevsite—Les Cailleaux in the village of Brasles—where brown limestone and clay soils bring richness and definition to the wine. The name Causica pays tribute to a subspecies of honeybee, reflecting the estate’s passion for beekeeping and biodiverse farming. Only organically grown grapes are used, and the wine is made with no herbicides, no filtration, and minimal sulfur, allowing the pure character of the terroir and grape to shine.

Fermentation is split evenly between old oak barrels from the family’s own forest and terracotta amphorae, with no malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity and freshness. After 11 months of aging in these vessels, the wine spends another 22 months on lees in bottle, then is disgorged with a very low dosage of just 1.5 g/L—qualifying it as Extra Brut. The result is a Champagne that’s incredibly nuanced and texturally complex. On the nose, it reveals aromas of sponge cake and peach cream, with subtle smoky and herbal undertones. The palate is vibrant and layered, offering red apple and wild berry fruit, a fine chalky backbone, and a lingering, saline finish with flashes of mint and menthol that add brightness and lift. It is elegant, crisp, powerful, and herbaceous with a savory structure that makes it not only delicious on its own but also a fantastic pairing for food.

At under $80, Causica is a benchmark for artisanal, terroir-driven Meunier Champagne. It delivers the sophistication and soul of grower Champagne at a price that remains approachable—making it one of the best under-the-radar bottles we have come across in years.

Regular Price $84.99

Special 6 bottle Price $79.99

Only 48 bottles available

Wine is ready for collection from Sept 4 th

If you’re looking for a Champagne that delivers both cachet and brilliance for a special occasion—or simply to elevate an everyday moment—we’re proud to offer you a curated selection from our current inventory. These bottles are sourced with intention, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship, terroir expression, and stylistic elegance across a range of profiles. Each one is housed in our NYC-based, temperature-controlled cellar, ensuring perfect provenance and peak condition upon delivery. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply seeking something extraordinary, these Champagnes promise distinction in every glass.

Andre Clouet Cuvee 1911 Special Price $89.99 3 btls

Andre Clouet Silver Brut NV Special Price $49.99 1 btl

Billecart-Salmon Brut Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart 2000 Special Price $259.99 3btls

Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Special Price $28.99 1half btl

Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Special Price $74.99 5btls

Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut Champagne 2008 Special Price $239.99 5btls

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV Special Price $99.99 3mags

Egly Ouriet Blanc de Noirs Les Crayeres Grand Cru VV Special Price $499.99 2btls

Egly Ouriet Champagne Brut Grand Cru 2008 Special Price $2499.99 1mag

Egly Ouriet Champagne Brut Grand Cru 2014 Special Price $599.99 1btl

Egly Ouriet Champagne Brut Grand Cru 2015 Special Price $579.99 1btl

Egly Ouriet Champagne Brut Les Vignes de Vrigny NV Special Price $99.99 5btl

Egly Ouriet Champagne Extra Brut "VP" Grand Cru NV Special Price $249.99 1btl

Jacquesson Champagne Brut Avize Champ Cain 2009 Special Price $319.99 8btl

Jacquesson Champagne Brut Dizy Corne Bautray 2009 Special Price $299.99 4btl

Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne Brut 2014 Special Price $399.99 9btl

Pol Roger Brut 2015 Special Price $129.99 3btl

Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2009 Special Price $699.99 3mags

Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2015 Special Price $299.99 3btl

All bottles are in out Temperature controlled cellar ready for collection