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Vines and olive trees, with wheat form the inseparable trilogy of the Mediterranean agricultural
If the wheat, still insufficient to feed the people of Nice, was never able to enrich them, the wine and olive Bellet Nice are all the nobility, reputation and wealth of our soil for over two thousand years since the Greeks introduced them here.
Christianity came by, and as always in Nice, made a partnerhip with the vine protector, Saint Vincent, celebrated January 22.
TWO SAINTS VINCENT : There is no doubt that that day, all Christendom celebrated the St. Vincent of Spain, martyred in 304 in Valencia, who became the patron saint of winemakers, probably because one of the punishments that it was inflicted to him was to extend him on a bed of broken bottles. But it turns out that Nice, or rather Cemenelum, also claims a St. Vincent, in fact, inseparable companion of his martyrdom, Orontes.
It is the historian Pierre Gioffredo Nice (1629-1692) who relates this legend: Our St. Vincent de Cimiez became the patron saint of winemakers because, when washed the bones of two martyrs and placed in a reliquary, water turned into blood, which equates the ritual wine during the consecration. This tradition continues each January 22, in the land of Bellet, proud of the quality of its production.
The early nineteenth century marked the most prosperous period of the vineyard since it covered more than 1 000ha. In 1834, it was a significant export product. Several pests have threatened with extinction. But the courage of winemakers, attached to their local wine, should be awarded the rank of Bellet wine "appellation d'origine contrôlée" (AOC) in 1941.
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A UNIQUE SOIL AND GRAPES VARIETIES ROOTED
The Bellet's Appellation covers approximately 650 ha, with 50 ha really in operation. On the slopes of the foothills of the Alps at an altitude between 200 and 300 meters, it is entirely in the territory of the town of Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes.
In the middle of the Mediterranean region, this vineyard enjoys the sun (about 2700 hours per year), the rains (800 mm per year) and a special microclimate due to its altitude and the winds (mistral and north wind) blowing almost constantly in the valley. This feature allows a climate of slow maturation necessary for the freshness and elegance of white and rosé wines. The vines are rooted in narrow boards called Restanca or faïsses made of pebbles, mixed with a light colored sand (Poudingue) with some clay veins.
These excellent conditions favor the expression and full ripeness of the grapes in the harmony of red wines. The decree of the appellation allows a number of grape varieties. Some of them are typically from Nice, as Rolle, essential grape variety for whit wine from the appellation (80 to 90 %), Folle Noire (or "Fouàla negro" so named for its variation of productivity from one year to the other, grape variety for red and pink), or Braquet, the only grape variety giving his name to a local familly (unless it's the opposite). Others are more common, such as Chardonnay (white grape variety), Grenache or Cinsault (red and pink mediterranean grape varieties). Their handpicking is starting end of september. |
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DES COMPAGNONS AUX GOÛTS RAFFINÉS ont une robe profonde, étincelante et vive qui ne ternit pas avec le temps. Caractérisés par des nez de poire et de fleur blanche avec des touches légères de pierre à fusil, ce sont des vins séveux et gras qui vieillissent admirablement et peuvent donner des bouteilles d'exception avec des nez d'amande grillée et de coing et une longueur en bouche étonnante. Secs et fruités, ils peuvent se servir frais mais non frappés, en apéritif ou en accompagnement de poissons.
LES VINS ROSÉS quand ils sont élaborés à partir du Braquet, ont de jolies teintes douces avec de tendres reflets dorés. Leur bouquet délicat à dominante de rose sauvage et d'églantine se fond harmonieusement avec la souplesse et la finesse de ces vins seveux et gouleyants.Vins d'été et de soleil, ils se servent à une température de 10-11°. Ils accompagnent tous les repas de cuisine méditerranéenne, exotique et niçoise, et plus particulièrement le stockfish.
LES VINS ROUGES ont une robe aux tons rubis intense. Le Braquet et la Folle Noire leur donnent de puissants arômes de rose sauvage, avec des notes d'épices et de poivre, voire de pinède s'ils sont élevés en fûts. D'une rare finesse, ils vieillissent parfaitement, avec des bouquets nobles et variés de fruits confits.
Constituant d'excellents vins de garde, ils sont dignes des meilleurs crus. Ils peuvent se servir frais (15-16°) lorsqu'ils sont jeunes et chambrés lorsqu'ils atteignent leur pleine maturité. Ils accompagnent parfaitement les viandes goûteuses ou en sauces légères et les petits gibiers à plumes. Ils s'apprécient aussi avec des fromages, comme la tomme de Roquebillière. |
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GEMEA Interactive