AOC Crémant de Die
The mountain vineyards of the Diois are some of the highest in France, rising to altitudes of 400 metres and more (some vines are located 700 m. altitude), and nestling in the foothills of the Vercors on the slopes of the southern Subalpine chains, eroded by the Drôme river and its tributaries.
Informations
Climate: Mediterranean with influence of the Vercors mountain climate
Soils: Chalky sandstone / Chalky marls / Chalky alluvial terrasses
Altitude: average of 400 metres
Website appellation: https://Clairette-de-die.com/fr/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 40 HA
Total production in 2023: 1 944 HL
Average annual yeld: 49 HL/HA
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1993
Communes : 30 communes in the Drôme
Grape varieties
Aligoté
A rare grape variety in the Rhône Valley Vineyards, Aligoté is only present in the Diois vineyards, and allowed in the blends of Châtillon-en-Diois AOC and Crémant de Die AOC wines.
Clairette blanche
Clairette is one of the oldest grape varieties in the south of France. It is typically Mediterranean.
Muscat à petits grains blanc (maximum 10%)
This white grape variety, probably of Greek origin, is the exclusive grape variety for the fortified wines (Vins Doux Naturels) of Beaumes-de-Venise, but also the majority grape variety for Clairette de Die, using the Ancestral Method.
(authorized: Clairette rose, Muscat à petits grains rouge, as mutations, within a limit of 10% of vines for the plots concerned)
To know
History
Most written evidence agrees that winegrowing in this area dates back to the 2nd century BC. Production reached its peak around the middle of the 19th century, when the vineyards measured some 6,000 hectares. But around 1870, the phylloxera crisis wiped out up to 80% of plantings and only 1,000 hectares remained. In 1910, the area received its first distinction - an Appellation d’Origine, encompassing 41 local villages. In 1942, Clairette de Die was officially recognised as an AOC, but without determining grape varieties, and applicable to all wine styles, still or sparkling.
In 1993 Crémant de Die was awarded AOC status for its Drôme valley sparkling wines, while the craftsmanship and identity of the region’s still wines were also officially recognised in the AOC status awarded to Coteaux de Die.
Climate
Mediterranean climate with highland influences from the Vercors mountains.
Soils
The landscape here is very rugged, characterized by the erosion of the Subalpine Chains in the Secondary. High cliff faces surround the area; the soils are made up of matter eroded from these limestone cliffs, combined with black marl formations and chalky clay.
Geography
The appellation for Crémant de Die encompass 30 communes in the Drôme. The slopes, where average altitude is 550 metres, enjoy excellent sun exposure. The vineyards also enjoy a distinctive microclimate, well-suited to winegrowing.
Varieties and flavours
The blends consist of Clairette blanche and Aligoté, with up to 10% of Muscat à petits grains blanc. They show green fruit fragrances on the nose and fine bubble on the palate – deep, rich flavours with a lovely fresh finish.
Associated appellations
