The Bellet wine appellation in France's south-east
within the city of Nice is one of the secret appellations beloved by locals but
relatively unknown outside the local area.
Bellet is a tiny wine appellation (estimates of the extent of the
vineyards range from 32 hectares up to 50 hectares). The vineyards are believed to have been
introduced to the area by the Phoenicians possibly as far back as 2000BC. Bellet was approved for appellation status in
1941. The appellation covers the
production of white, rose and red styles.
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| An Assortment of Bellet Wines |
The reds are based on the local Braquet and Folle
grapes as well as some Cinsaut and Grenache. These two grapes combined produce strong, red
wines with considerable potential for ageing. The roses are made from a mixture of some or
all of these grape varieties as well as the white varieties.
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Bellet Reds, Whites and Roses
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The whites can be made from a wide variety of
grapes but the most popular variety is Rolle. Rolle is a grape that is native to the area
around Nice and is used in the production of the white wines of this
appellation. There are approximately 15
producers in the Bellet appellation sharing the small area devoted to
vineyards. Many are family owned and operated, small boutique productions with an
annual bottle output of less than two hundred thousand bottles a year. The wines of Bellet have enjoyed a long and
illustrious history. From monarchs to
presidents, many a famous name has requested a bottle of wine from Nice at
their table.
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| Chateau de Bellet Red |
Most vineyards produce a wine of each colour – white/red/rosé. Many of the whites and rosés are freshly
bottled. The reds are aged a little
longer.
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| Chateau de Crémat Red |
The most famous vineyards in that region are: Domaine de la Source, Domaine de Vinceline, Château de Bellet, -regarded by many as producing the finest wines of the appellation and home of the grandest estate-. Château de Crémat, Domaine St Jean, Domaine de Toasc, Les Coteaux de Bellet, Via Julia Augusta, Jean Massa and Clos St Vincent are the other famous names in the region.
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| 2011 Via Julia-Augusta Red |
I
had the pleasure of attending the “Fête de la Saint Vincent” which took place
at the Place de l’Eglise at St Roman de Bellet on Sunday 25 January 2015. There the Association des "Amis du Vignoble de Bellet" met and celebrated the latest harvest and welcomed the new one to follow.
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| Amis du Vignoble de Bellet |
The festival included a mess, celebrated at the Church.
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| Coming out of the Church |
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| Local Costumes and Instruments |
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| The Band |
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| The Guard of honour for the Guests Coming out of the Church |
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Music for the Guests Coming out of the Church
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Speeches from
various local personalities and a homage to the local people who fell during
the wars followed the Church service.
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| Marie-Claude DIGEON (Left) - President of the Association of the Friends of Le Bellet wines |
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| The benediction of the Fallen |
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| The List of the Fallen |
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The Gendarmerie Band
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A local folkloric dance and
music group provided the entertainment whilst a “Vin d’Honneur” – a wine degustation
with local delicacies form the region; Socca, Pissaladiere and tourte aux
blettes were served to the guests.
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| Dancing by the Church |
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| Young Ladies in Traditional Costumes |
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| Ready for the Dance |
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| The Circling Dance |
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The Men's Dance
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A magnificent lunch at the
Rédier restaurant at Colomars ended this most enjoyable day.
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| Le Rédier Restaurant at Colomars |
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| Carpaccio of Red Salmon with Red Pepper Berries |
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| Leg of Lamb with a Red wine Jus |
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| Bombe Alaska |
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| The Lottery Prizes - I was lucky to win one of these on the day |
