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PGI — Label Rouge — Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
The only triple-certified apple in France, picked between 450 and 900 m altitude in Alpine orchards, it boasts vibrant colour and exceptional sweetness.
Fruit from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, PGI (IGP) since 2008.
Apple growing in the Hautes-Alpes has a long history, but production truly took off in the 1930s. The Golden des Alpes earned the Label Rouge as early as 1996, before the designation obtained PGI by decree of 7 October 2008. Today, it is the only French apple bearing triple certification: PGI, Label Rouge and Vergers Écoresponsables. This distinction honours the sector's agronomic and environmental excellence.
The production area spans altitudes of between 450 and 900 m, across 13 cantons in the Hautes-Alpes and 6 cantons in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Today, 170 fruit growers cultivate 3,000 hectares of orchards there, producing around 110,000 tonnes of apples each year. The Alpine climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and cool nights at altitude, encourages the accumulation of sugar while preserving the acidity and firmness of the fruit. This pedoclimatic combination gives the apples their high sugar content, firmness and characteristic colour.
The Alpine orchards are part of the region's landscape heritage. Mountain villages (Sisteron, Laragne) live to the rhythm of the harvests. Local gastronomy: apple tarts, ciders, regional pastries.
Appearance
Medium-to-large, spherical apples with smooth, shiny skin. The Golden des Alpes (the predominant variety) displays a golden to pale-green skin, often enhanced by a diffuse pink blush; the Gala is distinguished by a two-tone reddish-pink colour on a yellow background.
Aroma
Subtle and pleasant fruity aroma, floral freshness.
Taste
Very sweet flavour, rich in sugar, with a moderate acidity that creates a fine balance.
Texture
Crisp, firm and juicy flesh, with excellent keeping qualities.
Golden Delicious, the historic and predominant variety, and Gala, a more recent variety. Each variety offers its own sensory profile: the Golden focuses on sweetness and finesse, the Gala on colour and crunch.
Altitude 450–900 m, across 13 cantons in the Hautes-Alpes and 6 cantons in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Golden Delicious and Gala only.
Complying with Label Rouge specifications (fewer treatments).
Staggered manual picking (August–October depending on ripeness).
Grading, absence of defects.
Cold rooms if storage duration > 1 month.
Crates, boxes, nets depending on the distribution channel.
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Serving: Room temperature for optimal flavour, or chilled for refreshment.
Drink pairings: Alpine cider, light red wines, fresh juice, dry Champagne.
Since: 2008
Area covered: 13 Hautes-Alpes cantons + 6 Alpes-HP cantons, altitude 450–900 m
Key requirements: Golden Delicious/Gala varieties only; sugar richness, firmness and colour linked to the Alpine terroir
Since: 1996
Area covered: 13 Hautes-Alpes cantons + 6 Alpes-HP cantons, altitude 450–900 m
Key requirements: Only apple (Golden) bearing the Label Rouge in France
The PGI designation is controlled by the INAO. More information on the official website of the syndicat des Pommes des Alpes de Haute Durance.
Association
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L'Écrin des Alpes describes itself as an estate founded in 1997, headquartered north of Sisteron; apple growers and shippers for several generations, its orchards are situated at an altitude of between 500 and 800 metres, in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes. The website highlights orchards managed using an 'eco-responsible' approach, meeting Global GAP and HIVE3 standards, at the heart of the PGI (IGP) Label Rouge area, as well as an IFS-compliant fruit station.
Production is divided between Golden (62%, from September to August), Gala (22%, from August to April), Fuji (6%, from November to March), Rouge Américaine (7%, from November to March), and Canada gris (3%, from October to February); orchards of club varieties have been planted, but Golden remains the main crop. The estate claims to have more than 250 hectares of orchards, producing around 12,000 tonnes of apples per year.
L'Écrin des Alpes also processes part of its production: 100% natural, pasteurised, artisan-made apple and pear juices, pressed and bottled on the estate, as well as pasteurised compote.
| Address | 16 All. des Genêts, 04200 Sisteron, France |
| 04 92 33 15 01 | |
| contact@ecrin-des-alpes.fr | |
| ecrin-des-alpes.fr | |
| Facebook page | |
| Visits | By appointment |
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Part of the production is certified organic, since 2022. |
