Sieur d'Arques, Les 4 terroirs Toques & Clochers, Autan, 2016

The Sieur d'Arques cooperative cellar, in Limoux, produces wines from the grapes of 400 producers. They have engaged an innovative quality policy over the last twenty years, identifying 4 distinct vineyard areas according to the quality potential of each, selecting specific plots for which the microclimates, soils, topography and altitude are adapted to the production of healthy, ripe grapes. Each year for the last twenty years, the Toques et Clochers auction sells barrels of top class Limoux wines, produced from grapes from specific vineyard plots. The revenues of these sales are used, each year for the restoration of a local church tower. Since the beginning, top chefs take part in the event which is prestigious and popular, attracting thousands of participants. Each year a highly reputed chef, generally a tenant of 3 Michelin stars, presides the principal auction which is organised each year on Palm Sunday. Pierre Troisgros was the first president of the event and since then 'Toques et Clochers' has attracted a succession of great chefs.