# C_2020044EN.01002901.xml

| 10.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 44/29 |
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10.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 44/29

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Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2020/C 44/09)

This notice is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

Anjou Villages

Reference number PDO-FR-A0493-AM01

Date of communication: 14 November 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Geographical area

The geographical area has been amended as follows: ‘All stages in the production process take place in the geographical area encompassing the territory of the municipalities named below, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

| — | department of Deux-Sèvres: Bouillé-Loretz, Val en Vignes (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay); |
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Bouillé-Loretz, Val en Vignes (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

| — | department of Maine-et-Loire: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier), Bouchemaine, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance and Coutures), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cléré-sur-Layon, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné and Trémont), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Savennières, Terranjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (formerly the delegated municipality of Ambillou-Château), Val-du-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay). |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier), Bouchemaine, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance and Coutures), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cléré-sur-Layon, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné and Trémont), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Savennières, Terranjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (formerly the delegated municipality of Ambillou-Château), Val-du-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay).

Maps showing the geographical area can be viewed on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO)’.

Editorial amendment: the new list of administrative entities takes into account any mergers or other changes in administrative boundaries that have occurred since the approval of the specification. For greater legal certainty, the list follows the current version of the Official Geographical Code, updated yearly by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The boundary of the geographical area remains entirely unchanged.

Finally, in the interests of better public information, the product specification now states that maps of the geographical area can be found on the website of the National Origin and Quality Institute (INAO).

Point 6 of the Single Document on the geographical area has been amended accordingly.

2.   Demarcated parcel area

In section IV(2) of Chapter 1 of the product specification, the words ‘and 19 January 2017’ have been added after ‘05 September 2007’.

The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the competent national authority approved a modification of the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Parcels are demarcated by identifying the parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the product covered by the protected designation of origin in question.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

3.   Area in immediate proximity

In point IV(3) of Chapter 1, the list of municipalities has been replaced by:

| — | department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay; |
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay;

| — | department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil ; |
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department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil ;

| — | department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet; |
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department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

| — | department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Sulpice), Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Chemellier, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, Saulgé-l’Hôpital and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Cizay-la-Madeleine, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné et Montfort), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Jarzé Villages (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Soucelles, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Tuffalun (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine),Turquant, Les Ulmes, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Pellouailles-les-Vignes and Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou), Villevêque; |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Sulpice), Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Chemellier, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, Saulgé-l’Hôpital and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Cizay-la-Madeleine, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné et Montfort), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Jarzé Villages (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Soucelles, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Tuffalun (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine),Turquant, Les Ulmes, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Pellouailles-les-Vignes and Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou), Villevêque;

| — | department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers. |
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department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

This change takes into account the various mergers of municipalities that have occurred since the last version of the specification. The actual boundary of the area in immediate proximity remains unchanged.

Point 9 of the Single Document on additional conditions has been amended accordingly.

4.   Agro-environmental provision

The following has been added to point VI(2) of Chapter 1: ‘Controlled green cover, whether naturally occurring or sown, must be in place between the rows; where there is no such green cover, the grower must work the soil or justify the use of bio-control products approved by the public authorities for use in wine-growing. Where bio-control herbicides are used on a land parcel, the use of other herbicides is not permitted.’

This amendment reflects current developments in the practices of operators promoting conservation agriculture throughout the vineyards of Anjou. It takes into account growing concern for the environment as part of technical procedures. By encouraging plant cover, the use of mechanical methods for weeding, or the use of bio-control products, the amendment aims to reduce the use of chemical herbicides. The reduction in herbicides should strengthen the defences of wine-growing soils and preserve their natural properties such as fertility, bio-diversity and self-cleaning. This will contribute to the quality and authenticity of the wines and strengthen the sense of terroir.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

5.   Harvest declaration

At point VII(1) of Chapter 1 of the specification, the following sentence has been deleted: ‘The start date of the harvests is set in accordance with Article D. 645-6 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code’.

It is no longer necessary to set a start date for harvests, as operators have a large selection of tools at their disposal to enable them to gauge the ripeness of the grapes with the greatest possible accuracy. All operators have access to a certain number of machines and equipment, owned both privately and collectively, enabling them to accurately determine the ideal start date for harvesting each parcel based on the production objectives.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

6.   Sugar content

Under point IX(b) of Chapter 1, the words ‘of the wines, after fermentation’ have been added after glucose and fructose.

This amendment was made to avoid any confusion with the sugar content before fermentation, as it is important to specify that this content must be verified after fermentation.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

7.   Fermenting room capacity

Under point IX(1)(d) of Chapter 1, the sentence: ‘All operators have a fermenting room capacity for wine production equal to at least 1.4 times the average yield of their holding during the preceding five years’ is replaced by the sentence: ‘All operators have a fermenting room capacity for wine production equal to at least 1.4 times the average volume of wine produced during the preceding five years’.

The specification made reference not to volume capacity (expressed in hectolitres or cubic metres) but to yield, which is the harvest volume divided by the production area (expressed for example in hectolitres per hectare). The proposed amendment removes this inconsistency regarding measurements without making any substantial changes. The minimum capacity remains 1.4 times the average volume of wine produced by a holding in the preceding years.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

8.   Circulation of wines

Point 5(b) of section IX of Chapter 1 concerning the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

9.   Link with the geographical area

The link has been revised in order to update the number of municipalities involved (for example, for the department of Maine-et-Loire, 24 instead of 43).

Point 6 of the Single Document on the link has been amended accordingly.

10.   Transitional measure

The following has been inserted under point XI of chapter 1: ‘The provisions relating to the requirement for managed plant cover, either natural or planted, between rows, along with the provisions relating to the requirement for operators to work the soil or use bio-control products to ensure that naturally occurring plant growth is managed, do not apply to vineyard parcels already in existence at the time of accreditation of this specification and in which the spacing between rows is less than or equal to 1.70 metres’.

The transitional measure avoids the need to penalise existing vineyards currently using a training method not adapted to the agri-environmental provisions. In densely planted vineyards, where the spacing between rows is less than or equal to 1.7 metres, maintaining permanent grass cover or attempting to work the soil could, in effect, cause technical problems with machinery, materials or tools, for example. In low-growing vines, grass cover also increases the risk of spring frosts. Furthermore, the presence of vegetation cover significantly increases the pressure on the water supply to the vines in the more densely-planted vineyards. Nevertheless, any vines planted after the specification has been approved will have to comply fully with the new agri-environmental provisions, regardless of planting density and spacing between rows.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

11.   Record-keeping

Under point II(3) of Chapter 2, the word ‘potential’ has been replaced by ‘natural’.

In order to ensure consistency in the drafting across all specifications from the Anjou Saumur area, the formula ‘natural alcoholic strength by volume’ replaces ‘potential strength’ or ‘degree’. These amendments improve the readability of the product specifications. The harmonisation of record-keeping provisions is intended to make it easier to draw up inspection plans and check records.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

12.   Main points for checking

Chapter 3 has been revised to ensure consistency across the check-lists included in the different product specifications for Anjou Saumur wines.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name of the product

Anjou Villages

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine product

| 1. | Wine |
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1.

4.   Description of the wine(s)

These are still red wines with the following main analytical characteristics:

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11%.

After fermentation, the wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 3 grams per litre.

Malolactic fermentation must be completed. Wines ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a malic acid content that does not exceed 0.4 grams per litre.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12.5%.

The total volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide contents are those laid down by EU legislation.

Wines are aged at least until 15 June of the year following that of the harvest.

The wine is generally a deep, steady ruby red in colour. Delicate notes of red fruits and flowers (iris, violet) are often detected in the nose, evolving towards more complex aromas, such as combinations of black fruits, spices, game or undergrowth. Ample and full-bodied in the mouth, the full range of aromas is preserved. Strong underlying tannins and a long finish. A generous wine that benefits from being left for a few years before tasting.

| GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS |
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| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Wine-making practices

a.   Essential oenological practices

Planting density - Spacing

Growing method

The minimum vine planting density is 4,000 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of these vines must not exceed 2.5 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metres. The controlled designation of origin may be used for the harvests of vineyard parcels with a density of fewer than 4 000 — but at least 3,300 — vines per hectare, subject to compliance with certain vine-training and foliage height rules laid down in the product specification. The spacing between the rows of the vines must not exceed 3 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.

Rules on vine pruning and training

Growing method

The vines are pruned by 30 April at the latest using the rod and spur system. The maximum number of buds is 14 buds per plant, with a maximum of 8 buds on the rod.

The foliage on the trellis must reach a height of at least 0.6 times the distance between the rows. This height is measured as the distance between the lower limit of the foliage (which must be at least 0.40 m above ground level) and the upper trimming limit (which must be at least 0.20 m above the upper trellis wire).

In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3,300 but less than 4,000 plants per hectare, the following additional trellising rules apply: the minimum height of the trellising posts above the ground is 1.9 metres; there are four levels of trellising wires; the minimum height of the highest wire is 1.85 metres above the ground.

Irrigation

Growing method

Irrigation is prohibited.

Specific oenological practice

Reductive methods of enrichment are permitted, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10% in relation to the volumes used. The use of wood chips is forbidden. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12.5%.

In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at Community level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

b.   Maximum yields

60 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

All stages of production take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

| — | department of Deux-Sèvres: Bouillé-Loretz, Val en Vignes (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay); |
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Bouillé-Loretz, Val en Vignes (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

| — | department of Maine-et-Loire: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier), Bouchemaine, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance and Coutures), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cléré-sur-Layon, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné and Trémont), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Savennières, Terranjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (formerly the delegated municipality of Ambillou-Château), Val-du-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay). |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier), Bouchemaine, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance and Coutures), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cléré-sur-Layon, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné and Trémont), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Savennières, Terranjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (formerly the delegated municipality of Ambillou-Château), Val-du-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay).

Maps showing the geographical area can be viewed on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO)’.

7.   Main wine grapes

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Cabernet franc N

8.   Description of the link(s)

1   Information on the geographical area

a)   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area is located in the western part of the geographical area for the ‘Anjou’ controlled designation of origin, essentially on the Precambrian and Paleozoic outcrops attached to the Armorican Massif, in places covered in gravelly formations or Cenomanian features such as the marl with oyster shell deposits to be found on its eastern boundary. In 2018 it includes the geographical areas for the controlled designations of origin ‘Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire’, ‘Coteaux du Layon’, ‘Savennières’ and some adjoining municipalities. It covers a territory that has been demarcated and selected because its natural environment is so well suited to the production of red wines. It spans 24 municipalities in the department of Maine-et-Loire and two in the department of Deux-Sèvres, to the south-east and south of the city of Angers. The landscape features rolling hills with variable aspects and altitudes ranging between 50 and 90 metres.

The parcel area specifically demarcated for the grape harvest mostly consists of parcels with good exposure and brown soils that have developed on shale, clayey-gravelly brown soils or on a very localised level, brown soils that have developed on marl with oyster shell deposits. These soils are often shallow with good irrigation and drainage, no signs of hydromorphy and typically low water reserves. They have good thermal performance and ensure optimal earliness in growth. The western part of the geographical area is studded with subvolcanic rocks formed of igneous rocks of an acidic (rhyolite) or basaltic (spilite) nature producing very stony soils.

The geographical area benefits from a temperate oceanic climate with temperature ranges that do not vary significantly, on the one hand because of the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, because of the role that the Loire and its tributaries play in temperature regulation. The fact that the vines are planted on hills is also a factor. The north-west/ south-east facing slopes protect the vines from the westerly winds that often have a high moisture content. Therefore the geographical area has limited irrigation and benefits from a foehn effect, sheltered from maritime mists by the higher slopes of Choletais and Mauges. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimetres, compared with 800 millimetres in Choletais.

b)   Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

Vines are known to have been cultivated on a continuous basis in Anjou since the first century A.D. It is excellent vine-growing country, as evidenced by these lines of a poem by Apollonius (sixth century): ‘Not far from Brittany is a town located on a rock with extensive plantations devoted to Ceres and Bacchus and a name, Andecavi (Angers), which is derived from the Greek place name. ’Vine-growing developed in the Anjou area during the Middle Ages, under the auspices of the monasteries located on the banks of the Loire and around Angers. They became particularly renowned from the 7th and 8th century onwards. Thanks to the influence of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, wine from Anjou made its way to the most splendid tables.

Production developed significantly from the 16th century onwards with the arrival of Dutch merchants seeking wine for their country and colonies. The Dutch stocked up on the wines and trade was so brisk in the 18th century that the river Layon, which crosses the geographical area, was made navigable to make transportation easier.

The ‘Anjou’ region essentially owes it fame to the production of white wines made from the Chenin B variety. However, plantings of the Cabernet franc N variety or the ‘Breton plant’ as it was known (thus named because it had been introduced by boat through the Loire estuary, which belonged to the Breton region at the time) and of Cabernet-Sauvignon N a little later on spread significantly after the Phylloxera crisis from 1865 onwards.

In the early 20th century, wine-making efforts were mostly focused on making ‘rouget’, the local name for a light wine served in the cafés. This marked the first stage in the changes to the Anjou vineyards, with the production of emblematic rosé wines becoming significant. The second stage in these changes was based on the experience gained by producers in managing these crops. The monitoring and analysis of the best combinations of varieties and planting locations, the assessment of the potential offered by the vine harvests and the expertise acquired in wine-making techniques all led to the development of red wines from the 1960s onwards.

However, the region’s wine-makers realised that they had access to a territory and a level of expertise that could further enhance the originality of their red wine production. The ‘Anjou Villages’ controlled designation of origin was therefore recognised on 14 November 1991. In 2010 it consisted of 130 privately owned wineries and 2 cooperative wineries.

2   Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

The wine is generally a deep, steady ruby red in colour. Delicate notes of red fruits and flowers (iris, violet) are often detected in the nose, evolving towards more complex aromas, such as combinations of black fruits, spices, game or undergrowth.

Ample and full-bodied in the mouth, the full range of aromas is preserved. Strong underlying tannins and a long finish. A generous wine that benefits from being left for a few years before tasting.

3   Causal interactions

The combination of the shallow soils on clearly demarcated land parcels demonstrating the methods in use and the terrain which provides excellent exposure and encourages a regular water supply has enabled the Cabernet franc N and Cabernet-Sauvignon N varieties to achieve their full expression and originality. The location of the vineyards requires optimal management of the vines and their potential yield, in the form of vine training systems and strict pruning rules.

Winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards, taking account of how well suited the two varieties are to the resources provided by the brown soils which developed on shale and the clay-limestone soils which developed over the Cenomanian deposits. By relying on the specific parcel demarcation, improving the vine training and pruning methods, harvesting the grapes at optimal ripeness, and making technical enhancements to temperature control and maceration times, producers have put strict production rules into place to ensure the production of well-structured red wine. The expertise of the operators ensures that grapes are harvested with a minimum sugar content of 189 grams per litre and having reached an optimal stage of phenolic ripeness.

Over the generations, the operators have successfully adapted their wine-making techniques to bring the best out of the grapes. It was very quickly decided to impose an ageing period in the tank after fermentation to enable the production of wine with complex aromas but in particular so that the tannins could become rounder and smoother. To achieve these goals, a minimum ageing period lasting until 15 June after the harvest year was defined in the Product Specification.

The ‘Anjou Villages’ controlled designation of origin is one of the most highly esteemed wines in the Anjou region.

9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2018:

| — | department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay; |
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay;

| — | department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil; |
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department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;

| — | department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet; |
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department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

| — | department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Sulpice), Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Chemellier, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, Saulgé-l’Hôpital and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Cizay-la-Madeleine, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné et Montfort), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Jarzé Villages (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Soucelles, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Tuffalun (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine),Turquant, Les Ulmes, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Pellouailles-les-Vignes and Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou), Villevêque; |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Sulpice), Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Chemellier, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, Saulgé-l’Hôpital and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Cizay-la-Madeleine, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné et Montfort), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Jarzé Villages (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Soucelles, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Tuffalun (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine),Turquant, Les Ulmes, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou (formerly territories belonging to the delegated municipalities of Pellouailles-les-Vignes and Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou), Villevêque;

| — | department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers. |
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department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

All the voluntary indications are marked on the labels in letters that may not be larger, either in height or in width, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

The name of the controlled designation of origin may be followed by the geographical designation ‘Val de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.

The size of the letters of the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ may not be larger, either in height or in width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin may specify a smaller geographical entity on their labels, provided that it is a place name listed in the land registry and that it appears on the harvest declaration. The place name must be printed in letters no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-b0f4fba4-e95f-4bf8-8e49-5b054d5d3e71

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(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.

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