🥃 Cassis de Saintonge
A French GI for crème de cassis from Saintonge (Charente): at least 80% local berries and 350 g of blackcurrants per litre, at least 450 g/l sugar, 18% vol. or more.
Cassis de Saintonge is a French geographical indication for blackcurrant cream liqueur (crème de cassis) from the historic region of Saintonge, in the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments. At least 80% of the berries must be local. The finished liqueur contains at least 450 g/l of sugar and 18% vol. or more.
Protected name. The name was listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and is now registered under Regulation (EU) 2019/787 in the "crème de cassis" category. The current specification was approved by an order of 15 July 2024; it is managed by the Cassis de Saintonge protection syndicate, with controls organised by INAO. Only the GI name is allowed on the label.
Production. The main varieties are Noir de Bourgogne and Royal de Naples, at least 66% of the berries by weight; the secondary ones are Blackdown, Andega and Andorine. At harvest the berries must reach at least 16° Brix. Cold maceration in neutral alcohol lasts at least three weeks, with at least 350 g of blackcurrants per litre. White crystal sugar is added rather than syrup; flavourings are prohibited.
History. In Saintonge blackcurrants have long grown in every farmyard for jams, syrups and home-made liqueurs based on wine and cognac spirit. Commercial plantations were established in 1979 by winegrowers looking for a second crop, and a liqueur under the name "Cassis de Saintonge" has been made continuously since 1982. The region lies at the southern limit of blackcurrant growing, so the berries are sun-ripened and sweet.
Why it matters to you. Of the three crème de cassis GIs, Saintonge has the highest minimum strength, 18% vol., together with at least 450 g/l of sugar, so it is both stronger and very sweet. A kir made to the IBA recipe needs just 10 ml of the liqueur. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | crème de cassis (cat. 34 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); geographical indication |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | GI specification approved by order of 15 July 2024 (JORF 25.07.2024) |
| Raw material | blackcurrants from Saintonge (≥ 80%), at least 350 g/l; Noir de Bourgogne and Royal de Naples ≥ 66%; neutral alcohol; white crystal sugar |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 18% vol.; at least 450 g/l sugar |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cassis de Saintonge → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Related to
- 🥃 Cognac, 🍷 Kir, 🌍 Western Europe
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Crème de… liqueur
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Crème de cassis
Frequently asked questions
Is Cassis de Saintonge made in Burgundy?
No. Saintonge is a historic region in western France, in the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments; at least 80% of the berries are grown there and the liqueur is made there.
How strong and sweet is Cassis de Saintonge?
At least 18% vol. and 450 g/l of sugar expressed as invert sugar.
How many blackcurrants are in Cassis de Saintonge?
At least 350 g of berries per litre of liqueur, of which at least 250 g are the main varieties Noir de Bourgogne and Royal de Naples.
How long has Cassis de Saintonge existed?
Blackcurrant plantations were established in Saintonge in 1979, and the liqueur has been made under this name continuously since 1982.
Can raspberries be added?
Yes, within limits: up to 15 kg of raspberries per tonne of blackcurrants; flavourings are prohibited.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🍷 Kir — A French aperitif: white wine with blackcurrant liqueur.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Cassis de Dijon · 🥃 Cassis de Bourgogne · 🥃 Normandy perry spirit (Eau-de-vie de poiré de Normandie) · 🥃 Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône) · 🥃 Absinthe de Pontarlier · 🥃 Calvados Pays d'Auge
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Cahier des charges de l'indication géographique « Cassis de Saintonge », arrêté du 15 juillet 2024 (JORF 25.07.2024, BO MASA 08.08.2024): sugar min. 450 g/l, min. 18 % vol.; ≥ 80 % berries from the area (Charente, Charente-Maritime); main varieties ≥ 66 %; ≥ 16° Brix; maceration ≥ 3 weeks; ≥ 350 g fruit/l; flavourings prohibited; plantations since 1979, production since 1982
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): 32. Liqueur — Berliner Kümmel, Hamburger Kümmel, Münchener Kümmel (Germany), Cantueso Alicantino (Spain); 34. Crème de cassis — Cassis de Dijon, Cassis de Bourgogne, Cassis de Saintonge (France)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex II (legislation.gov.uk): cat. 23 caraway-flavoured spirit drinks (ethyl alcohol flavoured with Carum carvi L., min. 30 %), cat. 24 akvavit (caraway and/or dill distillates, essential oils prohibited, min. 37.5 %), cat. 32 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l), cat. 34 crème de cassis (sugar min. 400 g/l, min. 15 %)
- International Bartenders Association (IBA): Kir — 10 ml crème de cassis, 90 ml dry white wine
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)