COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION

of 21 June 2017

on the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of a request for amendment of a specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Rosé des Riceys (PDO))

(2017/C 200/06)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (1), and in particular Article 97(3) thereof,

Whereas:

France has sent an application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Rosé des Riceys’ in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.

The Commission has examined the application and concluded that the conditions laid down in Articles 93 to 96, Article 97(1), and Articles 100, 101 and 102 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 have been met.

In order to allow for the presentation of statements of opposition in accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Rosé des Riceys’ should be published in the Official Journal of the European Union,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Rosé des Riceys’ (PDO), in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, is contained in the Annex to this Decision.

In accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the publication of this Decision confers the right to oppose the amendment of the specification referred to in the first paragraph of this Article within two months of the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(1) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.

ANNEX

‘ROSE DES RICEYS’

PDO-FR-A1363-AM01

Date of submission of the application: 22 December 2014

Application to amend the specification

1. Rules applicable to the amendment

Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 — non-minor amendment

2. Description of and reasons for the amendment

2.1. Winemaking practices

The following sentence has been added to point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 1. ‘training systems’, a) ‘planting density’ of the specification: ‘Specific provisions: In order to enable the passage of suitable machinery, parcels with a slope of more than 35 % or a slope of more than 25 % and a cant of more than 10 % may have alleys 1,50 to 3 metres wide for every sixth row at the most. In this case, the sum of the spacing between the other rows and the spacing between plants in the same row may not exceed 2,30 metres’.

Certain parcels of the vineyard are steep-sloping and work cannot be carried out with ordinary agricultural machinery. Since the use of helicopters is banned in treatments, it is necessary to rely on machinery suited to steep slopes that requires passageways that are wider than the maximum authorised spacing. Under the new provision, it is authorised to plant vines with alleys 1,50 to 3 m wide in the case of steep slopes (a slope of more than 35 % or a slope of more than 25 % and a cant of more than 10 %).

The sum of the spacing (spacing between plants + spacing between rows) is reduced from 2,50 to 2,30 m for the other rows.

This point appears in point 5, ‘Wine-making practices’, of the Single Document, under the title ‘planting density/specific provisions’.

In point IX ‘Processing, winemaking, winegrowing, market preparation, storage’, 1. ‘general provisions’, c) ‘oenological practices and physical treatments’ of the specification, the word ‘oak’ has been removed so as not to restrict the ban on using wood chips to ‘oak wood’ chips.

This point appears in point 5, ‘Wine-making practices’, of the Single Document, under the title ‘specific oenological practice’.

2.2. Presentation and labelling rules

In point XII ‘Presentation and labelling rules’ of the specification, a point (b) has been added authorising a reference on wine labels to a smaller geographical unit, in accordance with Article 120(1)(g) of abovementioned Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. The conditions of use of this reference have been specified.

This point appears in point 9, ‘Essential further conditions’, of the Single Document, under the title ‘additional names/additional provisions relating to labelling’.

2.3. Vineyard layout

In point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 1. ‘training systems’, b) ‘pruning rules’ of the specification, asymmetric Guyot pruning, previously referred to only as a variant of the other pruning methods, has been described in order to facilitate checks thereon. The earlier reference to permanent cordon pruning has been removed. It appears that that pruning method is a variant of the Royat cordon method (described in the specification), the only difference being the rate of rejuvenation. Therefore a specific description of that pruning method is not required.

This provision does not affect the Single Document.

In point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 1. ‘training systems’ of the specification, a point (g) ‘maximum average number of vines per parcel’ has been added after point (f) ‘height of the foliage’, with points g) and h) renumbered as h) and i). That new point permanently sets the maximum average number of vines per parcel at 19 700 kg of grapes per hectare and 17 bunches per square metre following the trial period for yields in Champagne and on the basis of the results observed.

This provision does not affect the Single Document.

In point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 2. ‘other cultivation practices’ of the specification, it is specified that ‘any substantial alteration of the morphology, subsoil or elements guaranteeing the integrity and sustainability of the soils of a parcel intended for the production of the protected designation of origin is prohibited, with the exception of ordinary trench ploughing’. The purpose of this provision is to prohibit work that will substantially alter the soil, as excesses in this respect have sometimes been observed.

This provision does not affect the Single Document.

2.4. Yields — Age when the vines start producing

In point VIII, ‘Yields — Age when the vines start producing’, 1. ‘Yields’ of Chapter I of the specification, the yield has been permanently set to 12 400 kg of grapes per hectare following the trial period (from the 2007 harvest to the end of the 2011/2012 marketing year) and on the basis of the results observed. Consequently the yield has been increased from 10 400 kg of grapes/ha to 12 400 kg of grapes/ha.

A re-evaluation of the yield in the specification appeared necessary because of the rise in the agronomic yield as a result of improved plant material, better plant health, cultivation practices ensuring the longevity of the vine and changes in the climate. This increase has not had a negative effect on the quality of the wines. It should be noted that the Single Document only refers to the cut-off yield.

In point VIII, ‘Yields — Age when the vines start producing’, 4. ‘special provisions’ of the specification, the following sentence has been introduced: ‘For a specific harvest and taking into account, in particular, its characteristics, this volume may be reduced by an interministerial order’. In accordance with French legislation (last subparagraph of Article R. 642-7 of the Rural and Maritime Fisheries Code), its purpose is to enable a decrease of the authorised volume of racked must obtained from pressing 160 kg for a specific marketing year.

This provision does not affect the Single Document.

2.5. Other amendments

a) Point I ‘Declaration obligations’ of Chapter II of the specification has been supplemented with two new declarations: — in point 2., ‘Declaration regarding adaptation of the planting density in accordance with particular provisions’: this declaration makes it possible to ensure the monitoring of the provision introduced in point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 1. ‘training systems’, a) ‘planting density’, ‘specific provisions’. This amendment does not affect the Single Document. — in point 3., ‘Declaration regarding work to create parcels’: this declaration makes it possible to ensure the monitoring of the provision introduced in point VI ‘Vineyard layout’, 2. ‘other cultivation practices’, c). This amendment does not affect the Single Document.

b) The table of the principal points to be checked and the evaluation methods, contained in Chapter III of the specification, has been supplemented with a point concerning work to create parcels, keeping in mind how important preserving the characteristics of the parcels is for the specificity of the product. This amendment does not affect the Single Document.

c) In point II of Chapter III of the specification, the reference concerning the inspection body has been supplemented and the address of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) has been updated. This information has been included under the ‘other information’ section of the application to amend the specification.

d) Redrafting: — in point IX ‘Processing, winemaking, winegrowing, market preparation, storage’ of Chapter I of the specification, the provisions on the destruction of the by-products of winemaking have been aligned with the regulations on the disposal of such products. The following sentence in 2(b) has been amended: ‘When making wine, 1,5 % of the racked must produced as a by-product of winemaking must be disposed of before 31 July of the year following the year of harvest’; — in point XI ‘Transitional measures’ of Chapter I of the specification, following the expiry of the trial period, the provisions on the yield and the maximum average number of vines per parcel in 2. ‘yield and maximum average number of vines per parcel’ have been withdrawn. This amendment does not affect the Single Document.

e) Other amendments In connection with this amendment application, the Single Document has been updated according to the new input rules of the e-Ambrosia software.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Rosé des Riceys (FR)

2. Type of geographical indication

PDO — Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Still rosé wines

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength per volume of 10 %.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume may not exceed 13 %.

The wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 3 grams per litre.

The standards provided for in general regulations apply to the maximum total alcoholic strength, the minimum actual alcoholic strength, the minimum total acidity, the maximum volatile acidity and the maximum total sulphur dioxide content.

Visually its luminous and intense colour varies from light salmon to madder red. It is a fine and delicate wine with good persistence in the mouth. When young, the wine may have red fruit aromas. After several years of ageing, it develops a complex bouquet frequently characterised by aromas of dried fruit and spices, sometimes candied fruit, depending on the vintage. Generally speaking, the wine is characterised by its finesse, balance of flavour and harmony.

5. Winemaking practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Charcoal

Specific oenological practice

It is forbidden to use charcoal, whether alone or mixed in preparations, for oenological purposes. The use of wood chips is forbidden.

During the enrichment process, the increase in the volume of the fermenting grape must used may not exceed 1,12 % for every 1 % increase in the alcoholic strength.

In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices applied to these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural Code.

Planting density — General provisions

Cultivation practice

The vines are planted so that the spacing between rows does not exceed 1,50 m. The spacing between plants in the same row ranges from 0,90 to 1,50 m. The sum of the spacing between rows and the spacing between plants in the same row may not exceed 2,50 m.

Planting density — Special provisions

Cultivation practice

In order to allow the passage of suitable machinery, parcels with

— either a slope of more than 35 %

— or a slope of more than 25 % and a cant of more than 10 %

may have alleys 1,50 to 3 m wide for every sixth row at the most. In this case, the sum of the spacing between the other rows and the spacing between plants in the same row may not exceed 2,30 m.

Pruning rules

Cultivation practice

Plants may not overlap each other nor may branches overlap fruit. The number of buds may not exceed 18 per square metre. Pruning is carried out at the latest before phenological stage (F)(Lorenz stage 12), or four unfolded leaves. The vines are pruned according to the following techniques:

— Royat cordon pruning

— simple Guyot, double Guyot or asymmetric Guyot pruning

b. Maximum yields

15 500 kg of grapes per hectare

6. Demarcated area

a) The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged on the territory of the following municipality of the department of Aube: Les Riceys.

b) The wines are made, developed and aged also on the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Aube: Avirey-Lingey, Bagneux-la-Fosse, Balnot-sur-Laignes, Bragelogne-Beauvoir, Gyé-sur-Seine, Mussy-sur-Seine, Neuville-sur-Seine.

7. Main wine grapes

Pinot noir 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 extends over eight municipalities in the south of the department of Aube. The landscape of Les Riceys belongs to the geological sequence of the Côte des Bar. The Kimmeridgian makes up most of the geological substrate, deeply carved in the centre by the Laignes Valley and a number of peripheral dells. The Kimmeridgian, characterised by alternating marl and calcareous banks, is the source of the best soils of the vineyards, which are composed of grey clay-limestone colluviums covering the slopes and enclose a multitude of small stones that help warm the ground. The vines, planted in precisely demarcated parcels, are located on the steepest, highest and sunniest east- and south-facing hillsides. The northern location means a rather cold climate, but the circular layout of the vineyard, which is embedded in the dells, provides it with a very favourable mesoclimate.

b) Description of the human factors relevant to the link The attested origin of the Les Riceys vineyard can be traced to the 8th century using documents proving that vines grew on the territory of the municipality. At the beginning of the 18th century, Les Riceys wines started being sold on a large scale to the Netherlands, Belgium, the Paris region and northern France, as can be seen from the shipment statistics drawn up by the treaty offices of the province of Champagne. In 1875 the vineyard was prosperous. Les Riceys wines were marketed by nearly 35 traders. That prosperity was weakened by the Phylloxera crisis and the rise of the textile industry in Aube, which absorbed the rural workforce. The vineyard rebuilt itself in part when Aube was integrated in the wine-growing Champagne region in 1927, but the situation remained difficult. A few ‘handlers’ remained, and their perseverance was rewarded when the ‘Rosé de Riceys’ Protected Designation of Origin was recognised on 8 December 1947. With the establishment of a number of young winegrowers in the 1960s, winemaking operations picked up and wine started being produced once again. The winemakers’ union Syndicat des Producteurs de l’AOC Rosé des Riceys was founded on 26 September 1968.

2. Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

‘Rosé des Riceys’ is a still wine with an obligatory indication of vintage. Visually its luminous and intense colour varies from light salmon to madder red. It is a fine and delicate wine with good persistence in the mouth. When young, the wine may have red fruit aromas. After several years of ageing, it develops a complex bouquet frequently characterised by aromas of dried fruit and spices, sometimes candied fruit, depending on the vintage. Generally speaking, the wine is characterised by its finesse, balance of flavour and harmony.

3. Causal interactions

The stony soils of the most exposed south- and east-facing slopes and of the steepest slopes have an optimal light level and warm up well, thus enabling early plant growth in the spring, optimising photosynthesis and guaranteeing the ripening of the berries. The high altitude of the winegrowing hillsides prevents contact with the cold air stagnating at the bottom of the dells, and the forest covering the upper parts of the slopes and the numerous pockets of trees throughout the territory offer good protection against the masses of cold air arriving from the plateaus. The incline of the winegrowing slopes ensures optimal natural drainage, which is also guaranteed by the crack formation in the Kimmeridgian limestone. The marl found between the calcareous banks supply the necessary water in the summer, mainly in warm and dry years. Finally, the warm summer temperatures together with the heat from the sunrays reverberating from the Kimmeridgian stones endow the wine with its typical notes of candied fruit and spices as it ages. The grape variety pinot noir N was considered the best variety for making Les Riceys wine already by Jules Guyot in the 19th century. The entire crop of grapes must be placed in the vat in order to fully respect the aromas of the grape variety pinot noir N and, in particular, their development during vatting, the duration of which is determined with precision by the skilled and experienced winemakers. According to V. Rendu, ‘aux Riceys, on réserve les plans fins pour les premières cuvées. On évite les longues cuvaisons afin de conserver à ce vin la finesse et la franchise de goût qui caractérise le vin des Riceys’. In other words, the first cuvées of Les Riceys wine are prepared with care, avoiding lengthy vatting so as to protect the finesse and frank taste of this wine.

9. Essential further conditions

Reference to the vintage

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Indication of the vintage is obligatory in the presentation of the wines.

Additional names

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The PDO ‘Rosé des Riceys’ may be supplemented with the name of a smaller geographical unit in line with the provisions of the specification.

Reference to publication of the specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-0e6797aa-7711-4406-975b-1ca510a31f66