It is impossible to stay in the Drôme Provençale without tasting the famous olives of Nyons! It is the fruit with irresistible wrinkles that can be enjoyed as an aperitif, naturally or as a tapenade. An essential part of the tables of the inhabitants of the south of France “proved” the Provençal accent.
The Black Olive of Nyons: La Tanche
This is the variety emblematic of the territory: the olive of Nyons, said la Tanche. Appreciated by gourmands, it has seduced gourmets: fleshy, pulpy and incredibly resistant, the black olive of Nyons is the only one that has adapted to the climate of the Baronnies provençales. Aware of its rarity and protected by a “Appellation of Origin” label since 1968, our producers take the greatest care of it!
It is harvested from December to January which gives it a slight over-maturity. To transform them into mouth olives, they are then immersed in fine salt brine for six months.
Nyons Olive Oil
The first oil to have obtained in France, in 1994, the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) then in 1997 the Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP).
Olive oil is obtained by simple mechanical processes. The olives are washed and ground to obtain a cold pressed paste to separate the oil from the vegetable water contained in the fruit. Smooth, finely fruity, golden in colour, with aromas of green apple, freshly cut herbs, hazelnuts and almonds.
Did you know?
The Nyons PDO terroir extends over 35 communes in the south of the Drôme and 18 in the Vaucluse, but 60% of production is concentrated in 7 communes: Nyons, Buis-les-Baronnies, Mirabel-aux-Baronnies, La-Roche-sur-le-Buis, Venterol and Piégon.
The Baronnies olive grove has about 261,000 olive trees on 1100 hectares. Its annual production is about 350 tons of olives and olive oil (it takes 5 kg of olives to obtain 1 liter of oil).
Where to find Nyons olive oil and black olives ?
To find olive and olive oil you have to go in the heart of the Drôme Provençale. In this region with its Mediterranean climate and calcareous soils, where olive trees have been cultivated for over 2000 years! It is here, on the territory of Nyonsais and the Baronnies, that we marvel at these landscapes where the orchards of aligned olive trees are of great beauty. Aside from lavender fields and vineyards or at the foot of the garrigues, the olive tree has found a prominent place, it is the symbol of Provence !
Olive oil and black olives from Nyons can be found on les stalls in the markets of the Drôme Provençale, but also at the olive growers and in the mills, who do not miss sharing their know-how with their visitors. The opportunity to ask them how to prepare a good tapenade!
During the harvest period, don’t miss the Alicoque, the festival of new oil and don’t hesitate to pass through the doors of the mills to attend the olive press.
Don’t miss :
Le Musée de l’Olivier, visit it with your children, located in the premises of the agricultural cooperative, it is free and we discover the old tools used to transform olives into oil, as well as a video that animates your visit.
Visit also the Institut du Monde de l’Olivier, you will learn everything about the olive tree and its products, a tasting of olive oils from the south of France will be offered.