Olives noires de Nyons

Olives noires de Nyons is a PDO-protected black table olive produced exclusively from the Tanche variety, grown and processed within a defined zone spanning communes in the departments of Drôme and Vaucluse. The olives measure at least 14 mm, display a characteristic brown colour, and are finely wrinkled. Bitterness is removed by traditional methods. The designation was granted EU protection on 21 June 1996.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-FR-0374 and assigned eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013163, Olives noires de Nyons received EU protection on 21 June 1996. The specification requires that olives be of the Tanche variety, grown on parcels identified as suitable for olive cultivation within a precisely delimited area covering named communes in the Canton de Nyons, Canton de Buis-les-Baronnies, Canton de Remuzat, and Canton de Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux in the department of Drôme, and named communes in the Canton de Malaucène, Canton de Vaison-la-Romaine, and Canton de Valréas in the department of Vaucluse. Every stage of production, from cultivation to processing, must take place within this geographical area. The olives are harvested from the tree in November and December, then sorted; the smallest olives are directed to oil production. Bitterness is removed using traditional methods in processing facilities located within the defined region. The finished olives measure at least 14 mm, with up to 5% permitted at a minimum of 13 mm, and present a typical brown colour with fine wrinkling. Marketing under the designation requires an approval certificate issued by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine, and each batch undergoes scientific analysis and a taste test. Labels must carry the name Olives Noires de Nyons together with the words Appellation d'origine contrôlée or the letters AOC. The inspection bodies are the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine and the D.G.C.C.R.F.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-FR-0374 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013163).
• The specification permits only the Tanche variety; no other olive variety is authorised.
• Olives must measure at least 14 mm, with up to 5% permitted at a minimum of 13 mm.
• Harvesting is confined to November and December, and every production stage must occur within the delimited Drôme and Vaucluse communes.

Tasting notes

Drômois black table olive (Tanche cultivar, same as oil AOP) cured by traditional brine or salt method. Distinctive wrinkled dark-purple to black appearance, very tender flesh, sweet-savory mild flavor with characteristic gentle profile (less intense than Greek-style olives).

HoReCa use

Tapenade noire, mixed olive selections, cheese boards, Provençal salads, and as an apéritif accompaniment with raw vegetables.

Packaging

• jar-glass-200g-brine
• jar-glass-500g-brine
• vacuum-pack-200g
• jar-tapenade-180g
• bucket-2kg-brine