Drome. Montélimar nougat becomes a protected geographical indication, a relief for manufacturers

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Fraudsters and counterfeit manufacturers better watch out. Montélimar nougat, which is the pride and fame of the town of Drome Provençal, now benefits of a protected geographical indication. So decided the European Commission which approved, on November 26, 2024, the addition of this small confectionery to the list of PGIs, exclusively manufactured in Montélimar and in 13 surrounding municipalities.

Montélimar nougat is “composed of a white to cream base dough, aerated with egg white and made up of sweetening materials, notably honey, and a filling consisting of almonds possibly supplemented by pistachios” , details the European Commission.

And to specify: “This nougat is made according to specific know-how, developed over several centuries, and with ingredients conforming to ancient recipes. »

Montélimar and 13 surrounding towns

As a reminder, Montélimar nougat comes in two different textures in the mouth: hard and crunchy, or tender and soft. Both obtained the IGP indiscriminately. Nougat is found in the form of slabs, small rectangular or molded blocks or even in the form of broken pieces to enhance desserts.

The appellation area concerns a geographical area made up of Montélimar and 13 surrounding townsin which the production sites must be located. To be able to use the name “Nougat de Montélimar IGP” on their product, manufacturers must respect several criteria.

The news was greeted with a great relief by the Montélimar manufacturers' union, engaged in a long fight to obtain recognition of the quality and origin of their product. “We were really waiting for it,” confided Marie-Claude Stoffel, the co-president of the Montélimar nougat manufacturers’ union to France Bleu Drôme Ardèche. It will be beneficial for everyone, small artisans and large nougat makers alike. »

Financial benefits

Frédéric Chambonnière, other co-president of the union of nougat manufacturers of Montélimar, already anticipates financial benefits with sales increasing by 20 to 30%. Still on France Bleu Drôme Ardèche, he declares: “It will allow the consumer to verify that the nougat they buy is indeed from Montélimar, but also for the fraud departments to better control what is sold on the markets and which is not. is not real nougat from Montélimar. »

On the City side, we are also delighted with the recognition of this ancestral know-how. “This certification is a great victory for our city, our territory and our nougat artisans,” underlines the municipality in a Facebook post.

Nougat has existed in Montélimar since 1701. Three thousand tonnes of this confectionery are manufactured each year.

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