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

(2022/C 469/10)

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

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’

PGI-FR-A1107-AM01

Date of communication: 19.9.2022

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Organoleptic description of the products

Point 3.3 (Organoleptic description of the wines) of Chapter I of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ has been amended to complete the organoleptic characteristics of each colour of wine.

The following details have been included in the single document under ‘Description of the wine(s)’.

‘The wines reflect the specific environment in the central part of the Hérault valley, where the river plays an important role in temperature regulation. The red wines are generally fruity and elegant with very fine tannins. They are mainly blended wines, made from suitably ripe grapes of the varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. These wines are intensely bright ruby red in colour and have characteristically potent aromas of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, liquorice and pepper. The white wines are either single variety or blended, mostly from the varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Grenache blanc, Vermentino or Viognier. They are fresh with amylic notes of elderflower and acacia blossom, and of white and exotic fruits. They are lively and fat in the mouth, with low bitterness and no roughness or dryness. The rosés are made from the varieties Cinsaut, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon or Mourvèdre. They are typically pale pink shading to salmon in colour, pleasantly fresh with intense, complex aromas of flowers, exotic fruit or blackcurrant.’

2. Vine varieties

Point 5 of Chapter I of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ has been amended.

The following 17 varieties have been added to the list of varieties that may be used to produce the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’:

Artaban N, Bronner B, Cabernet blanc B, Cabernet cortis N, Floreal B, Johanniter B, Monarch N, Muscaris B, Pinotin N, Prior N, Saphira B, Sauvignac B, Solaris B, Soreli B, Souvignier gris B, Vidoc N, Voltis B.

The varieties included in the specification have a greater resistance to fungal diseases and are also better adapted to climate change. These varieties match the profile of the wines with the PGI.

The following 19 varieties, which are not grown in the vineyards, have been removed from the list of varieties that may be used to produce wines with the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’:

‘Auxerrois B, Baco blanc B, Clairette rose Rs, Clarin B, Couderc noir N, Gamay de Chaudenay N, Jurançon blanc B, Landal N, Lival N, Maréchal Foch N, Müller-Thurgau B, Muscadelle B, Muscat à petits grains rouges Rg, Muscat à petits grains roses Rs, Ravat Blanc B, Rayon d’or B, Savagnin Rose Rs, Valérien B, Villard noir N.’

These amendments to the grape varieties have been incorporated in the section on ‘Wine grape varieties’ in the single document.

3. Link with the geographical area

In point 7.1 (Specificity of the geographical area) of Chapter I of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’, the following words have been added to the end of the first paragraph to improve the description of the geographical area and the location of the PGI ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ in the department of Hérault:

‘…overlooking the Hérault river to the north’.

This detail has been moved to the section on ‘Link with the geographical area’ in the single document.

4. Control body

In chapter 3 of the specification of the ‘Vicomté d'Aumelas’ PGI, the wording of the point concerning the control body has been updated, without changes.

This update has also been made to the single document, in the section containing the contact details of the control body.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Vicomté d’Aumelas

2. Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected geographical indication

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ protected geographical indication covers still red, rosé and white wines. Wines bearing the protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ have a minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume of 9 %. The minimum and maximum levels for total alcoholic strength by volume, total acidity, volatile acidity and total sulphur dioxide are those set by EU legislation.

The wines reflect the specific environment in the central part of the Hérault valley, where the river plays an important role in temperature regulation.

The red wines are generally fruity and elegant with very fine tannins. They are mainly blended wines, made from suitably ripe grapes of the varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. These wines are intensely bright ruby red in colour and have characteristically potent aromas of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, liquorice and pepper.

The white wines are either single variety or blended, mostly from the varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Grenache blanc, Vermentino or Viognier. They are fresh with amylic notes of elderflower and acacia blossom, and of white and exotic fruits. They are lively and fat in the mouth, with low bitterness and no roughness or dryness.

The rosés are made from the varieties Cinsaut, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon or Mourvèdre. They are typically pale pink shading to salmon in colour, pleasantly fresh with intense, complex aromas of flowers, exotic fruit or blackcurrant.

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

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1.

Specific oenological practice

All wine-making practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

5.2. Maximum yields

1.

120 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The harvesting of the grapes and the production and development of wines bearing the ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ PGI must take place in the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Hérault: Aumelas, Bélarga, Campagnan, Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens, Saint-Pargoire, Tressan, Puilacher, Plaissan, Le Pouget, Vendémian, Pouzols, Popian, Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve and Gignac (cadastral sections D, E, F).

7. Wine grape variety(-ies)

Alicante Henri Bouschet N

Alphonse Lavallée N

Altesse B

Alvarinho – Albariño

Aramon N

Aramon blanc B

Aramon gris G

Aranel B

Arinarnoa N

Artaban N

Arvine B – Petite Arvine

Aubun N – Murescola

Bourboulenc B – Doucillon Blanc

Bronner B

Cabernet Blanc B

Cabernet Cortis N

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Caladoc N

Cardinal Rg

Carignan N

Carignan blanc B

Carmenère N

Chambourcin N

Chardonnay B

Chasan B

Chasselas B

Clairette rose Rs

Chenanson N

Chenin B

Cinsaut N – Cinsault

Clairette B

Clarin B

Colombard B

Côt N – Malbec

Counoise N

Danlas B

Egiodola N

Fer N – Fer Servadou, Braucol, Mansois, Pinenc

Floreal B

Gamay N

Gewürztraminer Rs

Grenache N

Grenache blanc B

Grenache gris G

Gros Manseng B

Johanniter B

Listan B – Palomino

Lledoner pelut N

Macabeu B – Macabeo

Marsanne B

Marselan N

Mauzac B

Merlot N

Meunier N

Monarch N

Mondeuse N

Morrastel N – Minustellu, Graciano

Mourvèdre N – Monastrell

Muscardin N

Muscaris B

Muscat d’Alexandrie B – Muscat, Moscato

Muscat de Hambourg N – Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains blancs B – Muscat, Moscato

Nielluccio N – Nielluciu

Négrette N

Parrellada B

Petit Manseng B

Petit Verdot N

Picardan B – Araignan

Pinot Gris G

Pinot Noir N

Pinotin N

Piquepoul blanc B

Piquepoul gris G

Piquepoul noir N

Plant droit N – Espanenc

Portan N

Prior N

Riesling B

Rivairenc N – Aspiran noir

Rivairenc blanc B – Aspiran blanc

Roussanne B

Rubilande Rs

Saphira B

Sauvignac

Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Gris G – Fié gris

Sciaccarello N

Semillon B

Servant B

Seyval B

Solaris B

Soreli B

Souvignier Gris Rs

Sylvaner B

Syrah N – Shiraz

Tannat N

Tempranillo N

Terret blanc B

Terret gris G

Terret noir N

Ugni Blanc B

Verdelho B

Vermentino B – Rolle

Vidoc N

Villard blanc B

Viognier B

Voltis B

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1.

Located in the heart of the Languedoc, between Montpellier and Béziers and north of Sète, the ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ vineyards extend over a small region of hills nestled in the northern slope of the Aumelas plateau, overlooking the Hérault river to the north.

Descending from the limestone garrigues of Aumelas, the vineyards are arranged on tiered terraces facing westward, on soils formed on limestone and marl gravel dating from the Secondary and Tertiary eras, and in the lower part, on the various deposits that built up in the Hérault valley.

These soil groups combine to form a large area that is well-suited to viticulture, ranging from the fertile soils on the more recent alluvial and colluvial deposits to the sandy-stony soils that formed on the ancient alluvial terraces and calcareous slopes.

The different soil types combined with the local bioclimates have the potential to accommodate winegrowing based on several different grape varieties.

The climate is strictly Mediterranean with a sharp drop in rainfall in the summertime.

This ‘unity’ within the diversity of the Vicomté d’Aumelas area is reinforced by the landscape of the production area, all of which belongs to the area known as the mid-Hérault valley. ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ PGI wines come from a production area with a winegrowing tradition dating back centuries.

The suitability of the land for winegrowing, acknowledged since Roman times, was confirmed in the Middle Ages. Its wines, celebrated by the trouvères (troubadours) were popular among the nobility and bourgeoisie, as well as in the taverns.

The neighbouring religious communities in the abbeys of Aniane and Saint Guilhem le Désert, preserved and developed the vineyards during the Middle Ages. In the 10th century, the Guilhem dynasty from Montpellier, related to the English and Dutch crowns, took over the Aumelas viscountcy and started exporting its wines throughout northern Europe.

As pointed out by Professor Galtier, there were vines in the Aumelas viscountcy at the time. The nobility claimed a quarter of the harvest from their fiefdoms. Article 547 of Folio 178v emphasises this trend: it informs us that, on 4 November 1121, William of Aumelas confirmed that Bertrand de l’Estang had handed over his land of vineyards and fields as far as Hérault.

In the 18th century, the Canal du Midi made it easier for wine to be transported to the sea ports for shipping to northern Europe and America. Meanwhile, the expansion at the port of Sète boosted exports to the south.

It was in the 19th century that these vineyards took on their current appearance. They benefited from the development of the railways, which were significant in opening up access to new markets. Its specialised production of particularly renowned table grapes led this region to be given the evocative name of ‘golden valley’.

The recognition given to ‘vin de pays’ on 5 April 1982 allowed the winegrowers to produce wines to meet consumer demand.

Production now stands at 10 000 hectolitres, with reds accounting for 50 % and the remainder divided equally between rosés and white wines.

The Mediterranean grape varieties grown in this PGI area since ancient times, have been supplemented by varieties from other regions, such as Cabernet Sauvignon in the case of the reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon in the case of the white wines.

The wines are either blended (particularly the reds) or single variety (mostly the whites).

Reflecting the unique interplay between the land and its history, ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ PGI wines benefit from the wealth of wine-making expertise acquired over the generations, as well as from state of the art technology.

The research conducted by the winegrowers has led to the wines being fruity and elegant – enjoyable wines – which reflect adapted wine-making techniques where the priority is given to gentle extraction technologies.

These wines are mainly sold in France and in northern European countries. Almost all of the production is bottled within the geographical area, which ensures complete control over the product and makes good use of the production locations.

8.2. Causal link between the specificity of the geographical area and the specificity of the product

The Vicomté d’Aumelas area is overlooked by the Aumelas château, a beacon and landmark for all of the inhabitants and winegrowers in the villages. It is an area that is devoted to its vines and one whose wines bear witness to a strong winegrowing tradition.

There is a very special link between winegrowing and the vines in the ‘golden valley’, the name given to this region on account of its production of table grapes (Chasselas and Servant) which required a lot of pruning and led the winegrowers to find ways of bringing out the best quality in their grapes.

Building on this experience, the winegrowers have been adapting their vineyards and developing modern wine-making techniques for over thirty years.

This is reflected in the wines, which are strongly influenced by the special environment in the mid-Hérault valley where the river plays an important role in regulating temperatures, thus limiting certain extreme weather conditions in the summer and allowing for the production of elegant reds and fresh, fruity white wines.

Nowadays, the little villages in the ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ area, many of which are built on the sites of ancient Roman villas, are home to wine-growing families who pass on the passion for vines and wine and their know-how from one generation to the next. The reputation of ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ wines has been built on this cultural heritage. The history and culture of this region, of these villages and these people, are inextricably linked to its wine-growing history.

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

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further condition

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition

The protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ may be supplemented by the name of one or more wine grape varieties.

The protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new).

The protected geographical indication ‘Vicomté d’Aumelas’ may be supplemented by the smaller geographical unit ‘Vallée Dorée’ in accordance with the conditions laid down in the specification.

The European Union PGI logo must appear on the label if the words ‘Indication géographique protégée’ (Protected Geographical Indication) are replaced by the traditional expression ‘Vin de pays’.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-64343752-4555-476e-ae05-308e26acd116

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