Code Rouge
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Fresh oysters and raw shellfish, creamy goat cheese, or light poultry dishes.
✨ Technical Specifications
Gerard Bertrand's Code Rouge is an elegant tribute to the historical origins of sparkling wine, which was famously discovered by the Benedictine monks of Saint-Hilaire Abbey near Limoux in 1531, predating the sparkling wines of Champagne. This Blanc de Blancs is crafted from a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and the indigenous Mauzac grape, grown in the high-altitude, cool-climate vineyards of the Limoux appellation where Mediterranean and Atlantic influences converge. Vinified using the traditional method and aged on its lees, the wine is housed in an iconic red bottle that symbolizes the passion, innovation, and red clay soils of the Languedoc terroir. It offers a fine, persistent mousse with crisp notes of citrus, pear, white flowers, and a subtle brioche finish.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1992 by former French international rugby player Gérard Bertrand following the legacy of his father Georges at Domaine de Villemajou, the estate has emerged as an undisputed pioneer of fine wine in the Languedoc. Headquartered at the coastal Château l'Hospitalet within the limestone massif of La Clape, Bertrand orchestrates over 900 hectares of vineyard land across premium terroirs spanning Corbières, Minervois-La-Livinière, Terrasses du Larzac, and Limoux. The enterprise represents the world’s largest producer of Demeter-certified biodynamic wines, guided by regenerative viticulture, lunar cycles, and chemical-free soil stewardship. Cellar craftsmanship combines precise temperature control, indigenous ferments, and tailored French oak maturation to articulate South of France typicity. Benchmark releases range from iconic single-vineyard crus such as Clos d'Ora, Clos du Temple, and Cigalus to vibrant, terroir-driven white and red bottlings, alongside celebrated Mediterranean cuvées like Côte des Roses.