Wine & Gastronomy

Starting with vineyards at Vienne (Isère department), the Romans planted the first vines on the right bank of the Rhône. Côte Rôtie and St-Joseph were born. The King of France created the Côtes du Rhône appellation. The Côtes du Rhône AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlée) dates from 1937, in recognition of a practice and tradition bringing together one or more grape varieties, uniting a terroir, combining wine-growing skills.

Le Tricastin is the home of French production of the 'Tuber Melanosporum', or black truffle (60 % of national production). This celebrated 'black diamond', once very common and widely enjoyed, is now a rare delicacy served only in the best restaurants.

This Provençal delicacy, combining honey and almonds, first appeared in Montélimar in the late 16th century. Honey and sugar are melted and cooked in mixers then combined with beaten egg whites. Almonds are added at the end of the cooking stage and the mixture poured into moulds.
The nougat can be produced by traditional methods or industrially but it must contain a minimum of 30% almonds to qualify for the 'Nougat de Montélimar' appellation.

Lavender and well-being:
Relaxing bath to relieve stress: 3 or 4 drops of lavender oil directly in the bath water or added to liquid soap for more effective diffusion.
Relaxing massage: dilute 1 to 4 drops of lavender oil in a teaspoon of sweet almond oil, massage the skin gently until absorbed.

Lavender tourist trails: a range of holidays based on a lavender theme: explore the landscapes of Provence, in a lavender setting, from the tender shades of green in spring, to the blues of summer and the silvery tones of autumn...

Peaches, nectarines (cling-stone and free-stone): Juicy and velvety, peaches are ideal for slaking one's thirst. Thanks to its natural environment and the skill of its growers, the Drôme is one of the country's major producers.
Apricots: Whether the Bergeron variety in the north or the Orangé de Provence variety in the south, you are sure to enjoy this firm and colourful fruit with its lovely fragrance, oozing juice as soon as it is cut.
Montoison melons: We all know Cavaillon melons but their Drôme cousins, Montoison melons, are worth trying too: sweet and fragrant, the epitome of southern flavours.