COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION

of 29 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 [Vacqueyras (PDO)]

(2017/C 206/04)

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 ‘Vacqueyras’ 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 ‘Vacqueyras’ 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 ‘Vacqueyras’ (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

REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT OF THE SPECIFICATION

‘VACQUEYRAS’

AOP-FR-A0151-AM01

Date of submission of the application: 3 December 2015

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. Rules relating to the vine varieties to be planted

Point V of the specification lays down rules on the proportions of the various authorised vine varieties to be planted on each holding. For the red wines, these rules are as follows:

— the proportion of the main variety and complementary varieties combined must be more than or equal to 90 % of the vines planted;

— the proportion of the Grenache N variety must be more than or equal to 50 % of the vines planted;

— the proportion of the Mourvèdre N and Syrah N varieties combined must be more than or equal to 20 % of the vines planted.

An adjustment has been introduced for the red wines: this does not apply to operators producing grapes who do not make wine from their own production and whose holdings within the demarcated parcel area for ‘Vacqueyras’ (PDO) are of a total area of less than 1,5 ha (all grape colours combined).

The above rules on planting are not suitable for small holdings, usually comprising just a few parcels, that do not produce their own wine.

This amendment does not affect the Single Document.

2.2. Cultivation methods

The second indent of point VI(2) of the specification, which states as follows: ‘Spontaneous vegetation is controlled from 1 September to 1 February, either by mechanical means or using equipment that enables treatment products to target precise locations’ is replaced by the following wording: ‘At least 60 % of the area between two rows is either tilled or covered by sown or spontaneous vegetation. In the latter case, the spontaneous vegetation is controlled either by mechanical means or using equipment that enables treatment products to target precise locations.’

The applicant group would like the ground to be worked mechanically throughout the year so that there is no longer any bare soil.

This amendment does not affect the Single Document.

2.3. Analytical standards

In point IX(1)(c) of the specification, the standard relating to the colour intensity of the red wines is altered from 6 to 5.

This amendment is necessary as the current threshold is too high and penalises cuvées with a high percentage of the Grenache N variety, which is the main variety used for the PDO red wines. It is a light-coloured variety (it has a relatively low anthocyanin concentration), which prevents it from reaching very high colour intensities.

2.4. 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

Vacqueyras

2. Type of geographical indication

PDO — Protected Designation of Origin

3. Grapevine product categories

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Still white wines

Although the white wines only account for a small proportion of the wine produced, they have a strong identity with mainly floral aromas, tempered by notes of citrus fruits. Thanks to their structure and nervousness, they are full-bodied on the palate with long-lasting aromas.

The white wines are produced from the Bourboulenc B, Clairette B, Grenache Blanc B, Marsanne B, Roussanne B and Viognier B varieties.

Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 12 %

On bottling:

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 3 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume ≤ 14 %

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 4 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume > 14 %

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): 14

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

The other analytical criteria are in line with EU rules.

Still red wines

The red wines, which account for the vast majority of the wine produced, are influenced by the different soil types present and are produced mainly from the Grenache N, Mourvèdre N and Syrah N varieties.

They nevertheless stand out for their strong identity, which is often enhanced by a relatively long ageing period, although this is not a requirement. The aromas are complex, dominated by red or black fruit, often with hints of overripeness, candied fruits or jam.

Ageing gives the wines more hints of spices and animal (leather, game, etc.). They are generous, full-bodied and well-structured on the palate, with an imposing but not aggressive tannic structure. They are powerful, round and elegant wines that improve with age.

Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 12,5 %

On bottling:

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 3 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume ≤ 14 %

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 4 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume > 14 %

— malic acid content ≤ 0,4 g/l

— colour intensity (OD 420 nm + OD 520 nm + OD 620 nm) ≥ 5

— total polyphenol index (OD 280 nm) ≥ 45

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): 14

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

The other analytical criteria are in line with EU rules.

Still rosé wines

The rosé wines, which are produced in quantities as small as the white wines, have a relatively intense colour, are rich and powerful, dominated by fruits, and are also produced largely from the Grenache N, Mourvèdre N and Syrah N varieties. They stand out for their long-lasting aroma.

Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 12 %

On bottling:

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 3 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume ≤ 14 %

— fermentable sugar content ≤ 4 g/l if minimum alcoholic strength by volume > 14 %

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): 14

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

The other analytical criteria are in line with EU rules.

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Oenological practices

Restriction applicable to wine-making

The use of wood chips is forbidden.

The use of oenological charcoal to make the rosé wines is forbidden, whether alone or mixed in preparations.

Distance between rows and space between plants

Cultivation method

The distance between the rows must not exceed 2,50 m.

The area available for each plant must not exceed 2,50 m2. The distance between the plants in the same row must be between 0,85 m and 1,20 m.

Pruning of the vine

Cultivation method

The vines are pruned short (using the ‘Gobelet’ or ‘Cordon de Royat’ method), with a maximum of six spurs. Each spur has a maximum of two buds.

The formation or regeneration period for the ‘Cordon de Royat’ method is limited to two years. During this period, the ‘Guyot’ method, with a rod with a maximum of eight buds and a spur with a maximum of two buds, may be used.

The Viognier B variety may be pruned:

— either using the ‘single Guyot’ method, with a maximum of eight buds on the rod and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds on each spur;

— or using the ‘double Guyot’ method, with a maximum of six buds on each rod and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds on each spur.

Irrigation

Cultivation method

Irrigation may be authorised.

b. Maximum yields

40 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged on the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Vaucluse: Sarrians, Vacqueyras.

7. Main wine grapes

Viognier B

Bourboulenc B

Grenache N

Grenache blanc B

Clairette B

Cinsaut N

Mourvèdre N

Marsanne B

Syrah N

Roussanne B

8. Description of the link(s)

At the heart of the southern vineyards of the Rhône valley and recognised as a ‘Cru des Côtes du Rhône’, the area of the ‘Vacqueyras’ controlled designation of origin is one of the areas surrounding the remarkable limestone massif of the Dentelles de Montmirail. This ‘admirable mountain’ (‘mons mirabilis’), is the closest alpine landscape to the Rhône valley, which it partly cuts through from east to west.

The geographical area falls within the municipalities of Vacqueyras and Sarrians, in the department of Vaucluse. ‘Vacqueyras’ thoroughly lives up to its ancient name: ‘Vallis Quadreria’ or ‘Valley of Stones’, where the vineyards were mainly situated on wide terraces along the Ouvèze river at an altitude of between 60 and 160 m. The climate is Mediterranean, hot and dry, with plenty of sunshine. However, this is contrasted by a low but very irregular annual rainfall, sometimes with heavy rain around the equinoxes. The geographical area is also under the influence of the Mistral, a strong, cold northerly wind, for a significant proportion of the year (more than 100 days).

The natural conditions for a unique grape harvest potential — highly permeable soils (sand, pebbly sandstone, water-worn pebbles) often coupled with a clayey matrix that acts as a useful water reserve during dry periods — are combined with a Mediterranean climate tempered by the proximity of the Dentelles de Montmirail, which provides good conditions for ripening the grapes without excessive temperatures and enables the beneficial effects of the Mistral to act on the concentration and protect the vines against cryptogamic diseases, and with human factors that have been revealed over generations through the expertise of the operators in planting the vine varieties and blending the grapes. The wines bearing the ‘Vacqueyras’ controlled designation of origin bear witness to the uniqueness of this area.

These interactions are particularly evident in the red wines, which are complex blends between the power and tannic structure obtained from grapes grown in water-worn pebbles, the finesse and fruity aromas of grapes grown in more sandy soils and the harmony and balance of grapes grown in pebbly sandstone. On the strength of this potential, the expertise applied enables the identity of the red wines to be maintained while respecting the unique nature of the raw material.

Quite exceptionally for this wine-growing area, the particular identity of the wines produced has also been recognised for the white and rosé wines, which benefit here from the same qualitative aspects linked to both the natural conditions and production practices.

Reputation, expertise, practices and wine quality can all be seen in the ‘Vacqueyras’ vineyards, thanks to a significant and well-preserved rural heritage linked to agricultural activity.

9. Essential further conditions

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The labels of wines with the controlled designation of origin may specify the larger geographical unit ‘Cru des Côtes du Rhône’ or ‘Vignobles de la Vallée du Rhône’. The conditions for using the larger geographical unit ‘Vignobles de la Vallée du Rhône’ are specified in the agreement signed between the protection and management bodies concerned with regard to the conditions for use of this larger geographical unit.

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in immediate proximity, defined by derogation for the making, development and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities:

Department of Ardèche: 2 municipalities;

Department of Drôme: 5 municipalities;

Department of Rhône: 3 municipalities;

Department of Vaucluse: 59 municipalities.

The list of municipalities in each department is given in detail in the product specification.

10. Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-5cae91ee-7281-49fb-a01b-3d1fff4f78ec