Division 5.3 Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The early growth of the ‘pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ is due both to the nature of the particular climate of the Ile de Ré and a choice of particularly appropriate soil.

The ‘pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ grows earlier than on the mainland without a need of cultivation under glass or shelter as the climate of the island and, in particular, its mild temperatures, allow early crops which will then profit from good quantities of sun and mildness to grow rapidly.

The nature of the soil chosen by the producers also helps this early growth. The light and filtering soils heat up very quickly and also evacuate the excess humidity which is harmful to the root development of the potato and to the development of the tuber.

In order to benefit from these favourable conditions, the ‘pommes de terre de l’île de Ré’ are planted at shallow depths.

Light soil also aids the quality of the tubers which, harvested before they are fully mature, are fragile and therefore sensitive to the slightest blows including those received at the time of harvesting. The parcels chosen are therefore sandy and not stony.

The crops are densely planted and in close rows under a slight furrow in order to resist the sometimes violent winds on the island.

These planting conditions, in particular the density, produce the characteristically small-sized ‘pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’.

The organoleptic characteristics of the ‘pomme de terre de l’île de Ré’ play a role both in the choice of the varieties and in the early character of this potato which, together with the soil on the island, ensure that this potato remains firm after cooking and emits vegetable and spring aromas.