AOC Bellet, the treasure of Nice

The fifth largest city in France, Nice has the only AOC vineyard located on the territory of a large urban area. The Bellet vineyard, classified as AOC since 1941, is one of the smallest in France, but also one of the oldest. Bellet or vin de Bellet is an AOC wine whose production area is limited to the town of Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes department.

This 50-hectare vineyard dominates the west of the city of Nice and the left bank of the Var. It extends over the terraces at a height of 200 to 400 metres. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, these vineyards benefit from beautiful sunshine and an exceptional location on cobblestones and winding grounds. To be noted: The Bellet AOC now has 11 winegrowers who are taking on the challenge of producing a world-class wine in an urban environment.

History

The planting of the Bellet vineyard dates back to the foundation of the Phocaeans of Marseille, making it one of the oldest vineyards in France. Provence developed its wine trade in the Middle Ages. The abbey of Saint-Pons in Nice earned considerable revenue from it. At the beginning of the 19th century, this vineyard covered more than 1000 hectares. Although phylloxera and the two world wars caused a significant reduction in the area dedicated to vines, the Nice vineyard did not disappear. It was classified as an AOC by decree on 11 November 1941.

Nowadays

Bellet is limited to about 120,000 bottles per year. These wines are also very difficult to find outside the Nice region. This vineyard produces 42% red wine, 23% rosé wine and 35% white wine. The AOC Bellet regulations authorise a certain number of grape varieties: for the white wines: Rolle (a typical Nice grape variety, representative of the white wines of the 80s and 90s of the appellation) and Chardonnay. For red and rosé wines. Folle Noire, Braquet, Grenache and Cinsault. Most of the winegrowers in this appellation are now practising transitional or certified organic agriculture: the winegrowers of Nice have decided to choose sustainable agriculture for the future.

Conservation

For a good conservation of red wine, the ageing wine cabinet must be between 11 degrees and 13 degrees. The average ageing potential of a red Bellet wine is 3 to 15 years. For Bellet white and Bellet rosé wines, the ageing cabinet should be between 11 and 14 degrees and the average ageing potential is 3 to 5 years.

Tasting

The red Bellet goes perfectly with a Porchetta, a forest terrine or a chocolate/hazelnut fondant, while the white Bellet goes well with a scallop risotto or a fruit tart. The Bellet Rosé can be enjoyed with Octopus Provencal style.