- As a couple
- Travelling solo
- With friends
- With family
A Sparkling Visit to Clairette Country
There’s a very special region on the southern fringes of the Vercors Massif producing a sparkling wine to delight the senses and lift the spirit. The wine is, of course, Clairette de Die – and this is Clairette country.
For this visit, we move a little way away from the Rhône Valley, to the Die region in the Drôme Valley. Here, the rugged, mountainous landscape of the Vercors blends with the gentle brightness of the Baronnies and nearby Provence; it’s as if you’re still in the Alps but already touching the South. The Die area, or Diois, is a meeting point of diverse influences and landscapes, a superb place to take a break, where you can choose to explore on foot, simply relax and do nothing, or linger over some delicious local food and wine. The latter includes the famous Clairette de Die and its cousin Crémant de Die, as well as the still wines of Châtillon-en-Diois and Coteaux de Die. Let us take you on a 3-step lightning tour of this Land of Sparkle!
1. All about bubbles
Far from being ‘just another sparkling wine’, Clairette de Die is carefully crafted using a centuries-old technique dating back to Roman times. It uses no yeast and no added sugar. The official story goes that in ancient times, the people of the Diois once left their jars of wine in the river for an entire winter, not coming back to fetch them until spring. What they then found in the jars was the sweet, sparkling wine which later came to be called Clairette.
With AOC status since 1942, Clairette de Die even has its own museum, the charmingly named Muséo’bulles, located in the Jaillance winery in the centre of Die. A fun, informative tour uncovers the wine’s history, and is followed by an expertly guided tasting of a range of different vintages. Show off your new-found knowledge and make a splash at your next get-together – with a bottle of Clairette, of course!
2. Through the vineyards on a Segway
While much of the Clairette terroir is relatively rugged, with vines growing in the Vercors scree at altitudes of up to 700 metres, there are a good many flatter areas, perfect for walking or cycling – or for a Segway tour!
You’ve probably heard of the Segway – a small, electrical, single-person transporter. They’ve been all the rage for years. This all-terrain version has handlebars and two wheels, and is designed for use off-road. After a quick introduction (it only takes 10-15 minutes to get the hang of it), you’ll be ready for a ride through the organic vineyards of Domaine Raspail, close to the village of Saillans. On your return, explore some of the Domaine’s wine-making traditions and enjoy a tasting of their range of wines.
3. A feast of gourmet treasures
There’s more to Clairette Country than just its vineyards. It also boasts a rich cultural heritage, and where better to experience it than the irresistibly charming little town of Crest? Its key feature is the famous Tour de Crest, towering above the town, offering unparalleled views of the surroundings. This is the venue for the popular Évasions Gourmandes gourmet excursions, taking place every Wednesday from mid-July to the end of August.
A visit to the tower leads you right to the top of the building, where spectacular views await. Prepare to be astounded by the breathtaking vista, and revel in the experience of tasting Clairette wine with artisanal chocolate and hand-crafted biscuits. Sparkling wine served 52 metres above the ground? Top that!
