Clairette de Die sees red!

5/30/18

Do you know Clairette de Die? No ? That's a shame, because this is one of France's beautiful, little-known appellations producing true, fresh, elegant wines. Located in the Drôme region, the appellation produces sparkling wines that are particularly fruity, floral and quite distinctive. Although the local cooperative, which represents some 225 winegrowers, produces almost 75% of the appellation's wines, the quality is top-notch. Through its Jaillance brand, quality efforts are numerous to make Drôme wines shine in the firmament.

And now, a new string has been added to its bow: the production of a rosé version of Clairette de Die. Since November 26, 2016, when it was published in the Journal Officiel, the specifications for this appellation contrôlée, recognized since 1942, have allowed for vinification with red grapes.

Having won the administrative battle with the winegrowers of Bugey Cerdon, the other producer of red sparkling wines, the Diois winegrowers relied on their knowledge of red grape varieties such as Gamay and red Muscat to obtain authorization from the INAO (Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité). A minimum of 5% of these grape varieties must be blended with traditional white varieties such as muscat à petits grains and clairette.

Low in alcohol (between 6.5% vol. and 8% vol.), this "new" clairette is likely to win over the hearts of many consumers looking for a different sensory experience, and for sparkling wines that are particularly fruity and slightly windier than current clairettes.

The first bottles should be available from early summer 2017. Can't wait for summer!

Clairette de Die is made using the age-old Dioise method, without adding sugar during bottle fermentation. It's a blend of 75% (minimum) muscat à petits grains and clairette.

Crémant de Die has the same geographical delimitation as Clairette de Die, and can be made from Clairette, Aligoté and Muscat grapes.

The Coteaux de Die appellation produces a still white wine made exclusively from clairette.

AOC Châtillon-en-Diois comes in three colors and produces still wines only.