Drome is the IGP title for red, white and rosé wines that are made in the administrative department of the same name in the northern Rhone Valley, France. While there are several AOC-level appellations here – including Hermitage and Crozes Hermitage – the IGP covers wines that do not meet the strict conditions of the AOCs, whether geographically or stylistically.
The department covers the eastern side of the Rhone Valley, and is bordered to the west by both the river and the Ardeche department. The westernmost foothills of the Alps dominate the eastern side of the department: in fact, Drome is largely mountainous save for a large plain around the city of Valence. Two further geographical indicators exist under the Drome IGP title: wines that are made in certain areas of the department may append their names with Coteaux de Montelimar and Comte de Grignan.
© Wikimedia/Erwin Frederking
There is a large diversity of terroir throughout Drome, which goes some way to explaining the diversity of grape varieties grown here. Most vineyards are found on clay limestone soils that heat effectively throughout the day, reflecting the heat back on the vines at night. This aids the ripening process, ensuring vines receive an ample amount of warmth to develop rich varietal characters. Loess and sand-based soils can also be found in the department, although these are not as well suited to viticulture.
The climate here is transitional, moving from a hot, dry Mediterranean feel in the south to cooler, more continental influences in the north. This transition is also felt with increased altitude, and the mountains in the west of the department are significantly rainier than the plains nearer the river. The Mistral wind from the north brings cool air, while winds from the south bring warm, dry influences from the coast. The interplay between these two winds can sometimes result in extreme rainstorms, particularly in spring and autumn.
Drome IGP wines may draw on a large list of grape varieties. In general, the more northerly vineyards in the department are planted to traditional northern Rhone varieties like Syrah and Viognier, but in the south there is more diversity, with wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Carignan and Merlot. Red wines account for around 80 percent of production, with white and rosé following behind. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher.)
Wines from this administrative area were previously sold under the Vin de Pays de la Drome title. However, this category was renamed in 2009 to Indication Géographique Protégée, bringing French wine-labeling conventions in line with those of the European Union.
