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

(2021/C 22/09)

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

COMMUNICATION OF STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘COTEAUX DU GIENNOIS’

PDO-FR-A0394-AM01

Date of communication: 5.11.2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Reference to official geographic code

A reference to the official geographic code has been added in relation to the geographical area and area in immediate proximity. This concerns a clarification of the wording which does not change the two areas in any way.

Points 6 and 9 of the Single Document have been amended accordingly.

2. Pruning rules

Introduction of short pruning (‘gobelet’ or fan pruning) for the Pinot Noir variety, with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant, and with each spur pruned to a maximum of two buds. For the Gamay N variety, when pruned short, the spurs are all pruned to a maximum of two count buds.

The authorisation for short ‘gobelet’ pruning for the Pinot Noir variety, complementing other techniques which have already been authorised, will make it possible to control yields better, in particular for vigorous clones that were previously planted for this variety. The technical skill of the wine-growers can be demonstrated. This form of pruning should make it possible to improve the quality of the grapes and therefore the wines. It will enable a reduction in the production costs observed during the debudding and summer pruning operations required by Guyot pruning.

Hence the pruning rules are now identical for the Pinot Noir and Gamay varieties, with short pruning (gobelet or fan pruning) applying to both varieties, with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant and each spur pruned to a maximum of two buds. These maximum limits make it possible to maintain the quality of red and rosé wines under this designation.

Point 5 of the Single Document has been amended accordingly.

3. Grape ripeness

The sugar content of the grapes and the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume have been increased.

An increasing number of dry years coupled with an improvement in qualitative cultivation methods (debudding, thinning out, leaf stripping, green harvesting) has led to an increase in the grapes’ sugar content.

Point 3 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

4. Specific oenological practices

Increase in the total maximum alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment from 12,5 to 13 %.

In view of the climatic and ripening conditions observed over several years, this increase is not intended to increase enrichment, which will remain reserved for special situations, wet and cold years and very dry years. This increase will also allow a more comfortable margin for compliance with technical requirements.

Points 3 and 4 of the Single Document have been amended accordingly.

5. Irrigation

The irrigation prohibition has been removed.

The national rules in force prohibit irrigation between 1 May and harvest time. It will now be possible to irrigate vines between harvest time and 1 May depending in particular on the needs of young plantations.

This has not led to any change in the Single Document.

6. Circulation between authorised warehouses

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter 1 concerning the date from which wines can be circulated between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

This has not led to any change in the Single Document.

7. Transitional measures

The expired transitional measures have been deleted from the product specification. This has not led to any change in the Single Document.

8. Main points for checking

The main points for checking have been revised in order to simplify their evaluation methods.

This has not led to any change in the Single Document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Coteaux du Giennois

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The wines are still white, red and rosé wines with the following principal analytical characteristics:

— Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 10,5 %.

— Batches ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content not exceeding 4 grams per litre for white and rosé wines and not exceeding 2,5 grams per litre for red wines.

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

— Red wines in batches ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a malic acid content not exceeding 0,3 grams per litre.

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

The white wines are dry with a mineral and fresh character. They are most often characterised by aromas of quince and white flowers.

The rosé wines are elegant and subtle, often with slightly peppery notes on the palate and a fruity aftertaste with aromas reminiscent of ripe fruit and vineyard peach.

The red wines are both delicate and fruity. They often have a blend of aromas of small red and black fruit and spicy notes.

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. Specific oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

The use of oenological charcoal to make the rosé wines is prohibited, whether alone or mixed in preparations. Any heat treatment of the grape harvest at a temperature above 40 °C is prohibited if followed by an immediate separation of liquids and solids. The use of wood chips is prohibited. Subtractive enrichment methods are permitted for the red wines with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %.

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

Growing method

(a) The minimum vine planting density is 5 700 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of the vines must not exceed 1,4 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,80 metres and not exceed 1,25 metres.

(b) The vines are pruned: Sauvignon B - Pinot Noir N: - by means of single Guyot pruning with a maximum of ten count buds per plant, of which no more than eight on the cane, and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds each; - or by means of short pruning (Royat cordon, or gobelet or fan pruning for the Pinot Noir N variety), with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant and a maximum of two buds on each spur. Gamay N variety: - by means of single Guyot pruning with a maximum of eight count buds per plant, of which no more than six on the cane, and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds each; - or by means of short pruning (cordon de Royat, gobelet or fan pruning), with a maximum of ten count buds per plant and a maximum of two buds on each spur.

The period for establishing the ‘Cordon de Royat’ is limited to four years. Single or double Guyot pruning is authorised during this period. There are a maximum of eight buds on the cane. The rejuvenation of a vineyard parcel pruned according to the ‘Cordon de Royat’ method may not exceed 20 % of the existing plants per year. - or by means of short pruning (gobelet or fan pruning), with a maximum of ten count buds per plant and a maximum of one or two buds on each spur.

b. Maximum yields

White wines

75 hectolitres per hectare

Red and rosé wines

69 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced, developed and aged in the following municipalities (list based on the 2019 Official Geographic Code [Code officiel géographique]): - Department of Loiret: Beaulieu-sur-Loire, Bonny-sur-Loire, Briare, Gien, Ousson-sur-Loire, Thou. - Department of Nièvre: Alligny-Cosne, La Celle-sur-Loire, Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, Myennes, Neuvy-sur-Loire, Pougny, Saint-Loup, Saint-Père.

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Gamay N

Pinot Noir N

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon Blanc

8. Description of the link(s)

‘Link with the geographical area’

Bordered to the east by the foothills of the Morvan and the Puisaye hills and to the west and south-west by the Sancerrois hills, the geographical area stretches from north to south for some 45 kilometres beginning in Gien on a narrow strip of south-west facing slopes along the Loire and ending in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, and on south and south-east facing slopes overlooking tributaries of the Loire to the east of Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire. The parcels specifically demarcated for grape production are concentrated on the slopes and shelf edges running alongside the Loire and its tributaries. The soils, locally rich in coarse elements due to their topography, have developed on upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian and Portlandian) limestone bedrocks or on chalky Cenomanian and Turonian formations, or on chalky formations from Eocene lake environments. The sub-oceanic climate is at the confluence of oceanic and continental influences. The Loire plays a role in temperature regulation, as do the valleys that draw the cold air off the slopes. Low precipitation (around 650 millimetres per year) is due to the Foehn effect caused by the proximity of the Sancerrois hills, which rise up to 434 metres. The vines located at an altitude of between 180 and 250 metres are thus sheltered from westerly winds with a high moisture content.

Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

Grape seeds dating from the second century found in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire confirm the long-standing presence of vines in this section of the Loire Valley, where there is a concentration of other well-known wine-growing regions. Later, records from the Middle Ages showing purchases of Giennois wine destined for the court of King Charles VI also confirm the high quality of the production. The chateau of Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, built in the eighteenth century by the Count of Auxerre, operated a sizeable vineyard, whose grapes were turned into wine in vast cellars. Likewise, the construction of several abbeys in the region contributed significantly to the rise of this wine-growing region. The Cistercian abbey of Roche à Myennes and the Commanderie des Templiers in particular played a significant role in this evolution.

The waterways of the Loire, the Briaire canal, and later the Loire Lateral Canal made it possible very early on for wines to be transported to the capital and for this wine-growing region to flourish and make a name for itself. In 1827, in his recollections for Nivernais and Dionzais history, J. Née de la Rochelle notes that ‘vineyards grow rather well on slopes not far from Cosne’ and that ‘[...] [trade from Cosne is based, moreover, on wine, wood, [...]. It has a huge port and an active shipping trade.’ Just before the phylloxera crisis, in 1890, there were 2 300 hectares of vines in the district of Gien and 1 500 hectares in the canton of Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire. Naturally, wine-growers’ unions were set up during the phylloxera crisis (the Gien union for combating phylloxera in 1886 and the Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire union for combating phylloxera in 1888), initially in order to protect the wine-growing region. These unions subsequently rallied to obtain recognition for and improve the reputation of their wines.

The reputation of Giennois wines was mainly confirmed after the end of the Second World War with the production of red wines made from a blend of the Gamay N and Pinot Noir N varieties and white wines made from the Sauvignon B variety. An initial geographical area of six municipalities including the municipality of Gien in the Department of Loiret constituted the geographical area of the designation of origin ‘vin délimité de qualité supérieure’ recognised in 1954, to which the eight municipalities from the department of Nièvre were added in 1964 and 1966. Up until that time they had used the simple designation ‘Cosne-sur-Loire’. This wine-growing region was recognised as a controlled designation of origin in 1998.

In 2010 the area of the wine-growing region constituted 195 hectares, cultivated by 40 wine-growers, for a production of approximately 8 000 hl. The white wines make up 50 % of the production, the red wines 30 % and the rosé wines the remaining 20 %.

‘Product description and causal interactions’

The white wines are dry with a mineral and fresh character. They are most often characterised by aromas of quince and white flowers. The rosé wines are elegant and subtle, often with slightly peppery notes on the palate and a fruity aftertaste with aromas reminiscent of ripe fruit and vineyard peach. The red wines are both delicate and fruity. They often have a blend of aromas of small red and black fruit and spicy notes.

In 1973, the renowned ampelographer Louis Levadoux noted the following: ‘There is not a single natural factor to take into consideration here, but rather a plurality of favourable factors which add up together and which are evident mainly in the tectonics and the local topographic formation. [...] The ‘Coteaux du Giennois’ thus comprise a series of hills, stretching from east to west, whose south, south-east and south-west slopes and western cliff are suitable for the cultivation of vines producing high-quality wines’. This statement expresses the favourable geographical and climatic conditions in the geographical area. The well-exposed slopes with calcareous or stony terrain, and the special climate connected with the draining influence of the Loire and the Foehn effect caused by the Sancerrois hills to the west of the geographical area, allow the vines to develop quickly and for the grape crops to mature significantly.

The well-established parcel area where the grapes are harvested includes only parcels containing soils characterised by good thermal properties. Hence the quality and originality of ‘Coteaux du Giennois’ wines come from the parcels selected for cultivating the vines and the adaptation and consistent use of the production methods put in place over the generations by the wine-growing community. The blending of the Gamay N and Pinot N varieties densely planted on the exposed, mainly south-facing slopes delivers its full potential and allows for the production of an original, fruity and lively red wine.

The Sauvignon B variety, whose potential can be plainly observed on the slopes, has levels of maturity which have remained constant throughout the years and allows for the production of fresh and original wines. Today, wines made from this variety lead the way for the designation, constituting half of the 2010 production volume.

The collective efforts to produce original wines undertaken over several decades are reflected in the constant, regular growth of this wine-growing region, which is making its personality known little by little in the midst of strong, reputed wine-growing regions.

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

Legal framework:

National 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 (list based on the 2019 Official Geographic Code): - Department of Cher: Bannay, Bué, Crézancy-en-Sancerre, Jalognes, Menetou-Râtel, Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre, Montigny, Neuvy-Deux-Clochers, Saint-Satur, Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerrois, Sancerre, Sury-en-Vaux, Thauvenay, Veaugues, Verdigny, Vinon. - Department of Loiret: Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire. - Department of Nièvre: Bulcy, Garchy, Mesves-sur-Loire, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Saint-Andelain, Saint-Laurent-l’Abbaye, Saint-Martin-sur-Nohain, Tracy-sur-Loire. - Department of Yonne: Lavau.

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

(a) All voluntary indications appear on the labels in letters which may not be larger, either in height or width, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

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

(c) Wines with the registered designation of origin may specify a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that: - it is a registered location; - it appears on the harvest declaration.

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-969d4bf1-b8ce-4792-af8b-8fd3b96dda75

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