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 89/04)

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

‘Gros Plant du Pays nantais’

Reference number: PDO-FR-A0275-AM01

Date of communication: 24 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Geographical area

Editorial changes: the new list of administrative entities takes account of mergers of or other changes to administrative divisions since the specification was approved. For greater legal certainty, the list is based on the current version of the Official Geographical Code, updated yearly by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).

Finally, for the purposes of better public information, attention is drawn to the maps of the geographical area available on the INAO website.

Furthermore, as a result of a revision of the geographical area:

— three municipalities (La Boissière-du-Doré, Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine and Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay) have been added as their winemaking practices and vineyards are in line with the requirements for the registered designation of origin;

— 14 municipalities (Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Germain-sur-Moine, Le Pellerin, Rouans, Vue, Machecoul, Saint-Etienne-de-Mer-Morte, Saint-Même-le-Tenu, Pornic, Cheix-en-Retz, Touvois and Bouguenais) have been removed following work to restrict the winegrowing area to vineyards where quality winegrowing has been maintained.

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to the demarcated geographical area.

2. Demarcated parcel area

The demarcated parcel area has been amended as follows:

— the word ‘demarcated’ has been replaced by ‘of production’;

— the dates 3 May 2017 and 15 November 2018 have been added;

— the provisions on parcel identification have been deleted.

The amendment is the result of a parcel demarcation procedure having replaced the parcel identification procedure.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3. Area in immediate proximity

In point (IV)(3) of Chapter I, the list of municipalities has been replaced as follows:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Boussay, Chaumes-en-Retz (delegated municipality of Arthon-en-Retz only), Couffé, Ligné, Loireauxence (delegated municipality of Varades only), La Marne, Mésanger, Paulx, Rezé.

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Beaupréau-en-Mauges (delegated municipality of Gesté only), Montrevault-sur-Èvre (delegated municipalities of La Boissière-sur-Evre, Le Fuilet and Le Puiset-Doré only).

The amendment takes into account that some municipalities have been included in the geographical area and that certain municipalities have merged.

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to further conditions.

4. Planting density

Under the point on planting density,

— the figure 6 500 has been replaced by 6 500;

— the figure 1,5 has been replaced by 2,2;

— the words ‘at least 1 metre’ have been replaced by ‘between 0,9 metres and 1,1 metres’.

This amendment takes account of developments in winemaking equipment and practices. The spacing between rows is increased to encourage the use of agri-ecological practices such as inter-row grassing and tillage and the use of recovery sprayers for plant health treatments, all of which involve standard winegrowing equipment designed for a spacing between rows of 2 metres. This approach is in line with the yield and quality levels sought for the type of wine covered by this PDO (fresh, light and acidic).

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to winemaking practices.

5. Vineyard layout

Under the point on trellising rules it has been specified that the height of the foliage must be at least:

— 0,6 times the spacing between rows when the planting distance is 1,5 m or less;

— 0,65 times the spacing between rows when the planting distance is more than 1,5 m.

The height of the foliage is measured from the lowest point of the foliage, set at a minimum of 0,3 m above the ground, to the highest point of the canopy.

The amendment is linked to the changes in planting density and allows the leaf-to-fruit (SECV/PR) ratio to remain constant.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

6. Heat treatment

The ban on subjecting the wine to heat treatment at temperatures of more than 40 °C has been removed. This amendment is intended to allow operators to use all the technical means available to manage the effects of difficult years that typically cause sensory alterations such as an earthy-musty taste. The technique of heating the must, known as ‘thermovinification’, has proved to be much less damaging in terms of producing wines lacking in structure and body than using mesoporous oenological carbon.

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to specific oenological practices.

7. Packaging

The end of the bottling period for wines bearing the indication ‘sur lie’ (‘aged on the lees’) is extended from 30 November to 31 December. Extending the bottling period by a month makes it possible to optimise the period during which the wines can be marketed, without this affecting the freshness associated with wines bearing this indication.

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to further conditions.

8. Circulation of wines

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter 1 concerning the date from which the wines can be circulated 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 to update the number of municipalities concerned (69 instead of 92). It has been specified that the planting density is medium to high.

The reference to the seaside resort of Pornic has been deleted, and the name of the municipality of Bourgneuf has been corrected (by deleting the words ‘en Retz’).

The single document, Link with the geographical area, has been amended accordingly.

10. Transitional measure

— The first paragraph has been replaced as follows: ‘Provided they comply with the other provisions of this specification, vine parcels that are not part of the demarcated parcel area of the registered designation of origin, identified by their cadastral reference and surface area, have the right to use the designation for their harvest until the parcels are grubbed up, and at the latest:

— until the 2021 harvest inclusive for municipalities whose demarcated parcel area was approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality at the meetings of the relevant national committee of 21 May 1996 and 25 May 2000;

— until the 2031 harvest inclusive for municipalities whose demarcated parcel area was approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality at the meeting of the relevant national committee on 3 May 2017.’

The purpose of this amendment is to adapt the winegrowing area in stages.

The transitional measure regarding vineyard layout has been deleted.

The transitional measure regarding vine varieties has been amended by replacing the words ‘on the date of approval of the specification’ with the date of 16 November 2011.

The single document is not affected by these amendments.

11. Labelling rule

In Section XII a new point has been added as follows: ‘(c) Wines bearing the registered designation of origin may specify a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that:

— it is a registered place name;

— it appears on the harvest declaration.

The place name must be printed in letters no larger, in height, width or thickness, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the registered designation of origin. It must appear in the same visual field as the name of the designation.’

The single document has been amended accordingly with respect to further conditions.

12. Reporting requirements

The time limit for submitting a claim statement has changed from 15 to 31 December.

Editorial changes have also been made in points I(2) and II(2) of Chapter II.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

13. Main points to be checked

Chapter III has been updated to harmonise the wording of the main points to be checked in specifications from the Nantes area.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Gros Plant du Pays nantais

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The wines in question are still, dry white wines.

The wines have:

— a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 9 %;

— a maximum fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of 4 grams per litre;

— a maximum volatile acid content of 10 milliequivalents per litre;

— a maximum total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment of 11 %.

The total acidity content, the total sulphur dioxide content and the total actual alcoholic strength comply with the thresholds laid down in EU legislation. The wines in question are still, dry white wines.

They have a very pale yellow colour, sometimes with green tints in the young wines.

They have a balanced acidic taste dominated by freshness and lightness.

On the nose they develop subtle, mainly fruity or floral aromas, often accompanied by an iodine scent.

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 content (in milligrams per litre)

5. Winemaking practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Cultivation method

The minimum vine planting density is 6 500 plants per hectare.

The distance between rows is 2,2 metres or less, and the spacing between plants in the same row is between 0,9 metres and 1,1 metres.

The vines are pruned with a maximum of 14 count buds per plant, by way of:

— short pruning (Cordon de Royat, Gobelet or fan pruning); or

— single Guyot pruning.

Pruning is carried out before the budding stage, or stage 5 on the Eichhorn and Lorenz scale.

At the setting stage, there are no more than 12 fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant.

Specific oenological practice

Any heat treatment of the harvest at a temperature below -5 °C is prohibited.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 11 %.

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

b. Maximum yields

75 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

All stages of the production must take place within the geographical area approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality at the meeting of the relevant national committee of 20 June 2018. The perimeter of this area, on the date of approval of this specification by the relevant national committee, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine, Ancenis, Basse-Goulaine, La Bernerie-en-Retz, Le Bignon, La Boissière-du-Doré, Bouaye, Brains, Carquefou, Le Cellier, La Chapelle-Heulin, Château-Thébaud, Chaumes-en-Retz (delegated municipality of Chéméré only), La Chevrolière, Clisson, Corcoué-sur-Logne, Divatte-sur-Loire, Geneston, Gétigné, Gorges, La Haie-Fouassière, Haute-Goulaine, Le Landreau, Legé, La Limouzinière, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, Mauves-sur-Loire, Monnières, Montbert, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Mouzillon, Oudon, Le Pallet, La Planche, Pont-Saint-Martin, Port-Saint-Père, La Regrippière, La Remaudière, Remouillé, Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu, Saint-Colomban, Sainte-Pazanne, Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Saint-Géréon, Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, Saint-Hilaire-de-Clisson, Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, Saint-Léger-les-Vignes, Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson, Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais, Saint-Mars-de-Coutais, Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, Les Sorinières, Thouaré-sur-Loire, Vair-sur-Loire, Vallet, Vertou, Vieillevigne, Villeneuve-en-Retz.

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Mauges-sur-Loire (delegated municipality of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent only), Montrevault-sur-Èvre (delegated municipality of La Chaussaire only), Orée d’Anjou, Sèvremoine (delegated municipalities of Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine and Tillières only).

— Department of Vendée: Cugand, Rocheservière, Saint-Étienne-du-Bois, Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay, Saint-Philbert-de-Bouaine.

7. Main Wine Grape Varieties

Montils B

Colombard B

Folle Blanche B

8. Description of the link(s)

Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The landscape of the geographical area was carved out by a dense network of water courses south and east of the city of Nantes. Slopes planted with vines alternate with valleys dedicated to animal husbandry in this area known as Pays nantais, which extends from the foothills of the Mauges in the east to the shores of the Atlantic in the west, and from the river banks of the Loire in the north to the Vendée plains in the south. The vineyards are mainly located on the slopes and hillocks around Lake Grandlieu and its tributaries, as well as on the slopes of the Goulaine marshes and the Loire Valley. The geographical area is the westernmost extension of the large winegrowing area of the Loire Valley and covers 69 municipalities in the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire and Vendée.

The area sits on an ancient and complex geological base of plutonic formations (granite, gabbro) mixed with metamorphic rocks (gneiss, misaschists, amphibolites, eclogites), sometimes covered by sandy and gravelly sediments from the tertiary period. These various rocks, when eroded, tend to produce healthy and well-aerated acidic soils that are rich in coarse elements (sand, pebbles, gravel), naturally well-drained, not very fertile and with moderate water reserves. The well-established parcel area where the grapes are harvested follows the contours of the steep slopes with their shallow sandy soils.

The climate of the Nantes area is influenced by the Atlantic, with ocean air blowing inland across the Loire estuary. It is characterised by low temperature variations over the year. Winters are particularly mild, and as a result soils warm up early in spring. Summer temperatures remain cool owing to sea breezes, meaning that heat waves are less frequent and less intense. Rainfall is relatively evenly spread over the year, although rain is very scarce in summer, and there is plenty of sunshine for this latitude.

Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

The Nantes vineyards are heirs to an age-old winegrowing tradition, and in the Middle Ages this was one of France’s largest winegrowing areas. From the 16th century distillation activities grew in importance, driven by trade with Holland. This allowed the Folle Blanche B variety, originating in Charente and renowned for the fine spirits obtained from it, to gain ground and supplant native varieties. In the natural environment of the Nantes area, this variety proved suitable for producing white wines. In a document dated 1732 the ‘Gros Plant’ name appears for the first time to describe these wines, which were very sought after in western France. In the mid-19th century, when distillation activities were in decline in the Nantes area, ‘Gros Plant’ vineyards still covered 20 000 hectares.

After the phylloxera crisis, the Montils B and Colombard B vine varieties, also native to Charente, were planted alongside Folle Blanche B, although to a lesser extent. To keep the plants’ vigorous natural growth in check the producers have adopted a strict set of rules: medium to high planting density, short pruning and a strict limit on the number of fruit-bearing branches. The parcels used for this production are selected for their early ripening capacity, low water reserves and low-fertility soils. The quality of the wine increases with lower yields. As a result of promotional measures on the part of the Bretvin wine guild, set up in 1948, and the endeavours of the first protection association, established in 1951, ‘Gros Plant du Pays nantais’ was recognised as a ‘vin délimité de qualité supérieure’ by a judgment of 26 February 1954. This earned the wines national renown.

To produce richer and more complex wines, the operators adopted a particular technical winemaking procedure known as the Nantes method, which consists in keeping the wines on fine winemaking lees for at least one winter without any racking. This know-how stems from the winegrowers’ habit of keeping a barrel of their best wine on the lees to celebrate family events the following spring. It is a method that makes for round and unctuous wines, as they are enriched, in particular, with mannoproteins and other compounds resulting from the autolysis of yeast cell walls. Moreover, this method, which is based on letting the wines rest and keeping them in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, allows the wines to preserve aromas formed during the alcoholic fermentation until spring or even longer, by strongly limiting oxidation and the release of volatile compounds. Rules concerning the traditional term ‘sur lie’ (‘aged on the lees’) were laid down in 1977 and have, since 1994, led to the practice of bottling the wine directly in the winery so as to keep any racking and decanting to a minimum.

In 2009 some 600 producers were making wine with this registered designation of origin on nearly 1 500 hectares, with an annual production of some 100 000 hectolitres, more than a third of which qualify for the ‘on the lees’ indication. Wines with the ‘Gros Plant du Pays nantais’ registered designation of origin are still white wines. They have a very pale yellow colour, sometimes with green tints in the young wines. They have a balanced acidic taste dominated by freshness and lightness. On the nose they develop subtle, mainly fruity or floral aromas, often accompanied by an iodine scent.

Wines bearing the indication ‘aged on the lees’ have a balanced taste that tends to be rounder with more complex aromas, and may be slightly effervescent due to residual carbon dioxide formed during alcoholic fermentation. They are protected from oxidation during cellar operations to preserve their freshness, rich aromas and naturally occurring carbon dioxide. The wines are bottled, their carbon dioxide content being too high for them to be packed in flexible containers, and particular care is required during bottling. The vine varieties that give the wines covered by this designation of origin their special qualities have taken root in the Nantes area for reasons related to the geographical location and history of Nantes. In this large port city at the confluence of the Loire river and the Atlantic Ocean, a lively trade in wine intended for the urban centres in northern Europe developed early on. This prominent trading place attracted a large number of traders, first among them the Dutch, who contributed significantly to the expansion of the Folle Blanche B variety in the geographical area, before the arrival of the two other varieties, Montils B and Colombard B, which have similar agronomic traits.

The soil and weather conditions of the Nantes region have made it possible to develop balanced white wines with subtle aromas from these varieties. The coarse acid soils of the geographical area, made up of granite, gneiss, misaschists or sand and gravel deposits, combined with the mild winters typical of the Nantes climate, favour an early start to the vines’ growth cycle and a full ripening of the grapes. The northerly location of the winegrowing area and its exposure to oceanic influences ensure fresh temperatures in summer, allowing the precursors of delicate aromas in the grapes to be preserved.

In adapting the selected varieties to the natural environment, the operators of the geographical area have been able to rely on well-established winemaking expertise built on a centuries-old tradition of trade in fine wines. The technical choices made, be it in selecting the parcels before planting the vines or in managing their growth, are aimed at making the most out of the geographical area’s not very fertile soils and generous sunshine so as to obtain ripe and healthy grape harvests.

The Nantes method of keeping the wines on their fine winemaking lees, without any racking, allows the flavour molecules formed during fermentation to find expression in the wine. The mild winter temperatures favour interaction with the lees, resulting in a richer wine. This method confers on wines bearing the ‘aged on the lees’ indication a rounder character, fine and subtle fruity or floral aromas, and a slight effervescence due to residual carbon dioxide formed towards the end of the alcoholic fermentation process. To preserve the qualities obtained by way of cellar operations and to avoid any oxidation, operators have acquired specific expertise in packing the wines, with bottling taking place directly at the winery. This traditional practice, which minimises handling, is perfectly suited to preserving the delicate aroma compounds of the wines.

‘Gros Plant du Pays nantais’ is the wine from the Loire Valley ‘closest to the sea’, as the geographical area extends as far as the bay of Bourgneuf; its acidity on the palate and iodine aromas combine perfectly with crustaceans and oysters. Making the most of this association between the wine and local cuisine, the producers managed to obtain recognition as ‘vin délimité de qualité supérieure’ as early as 1954. Even today, the vineyards’ location on the coast between Brittany and Vendée is a commercial asset, as the tourists who visit the area in summer contribute significantly to the wine’s reputation, strengthening its image as an ideal accompaniment to seafood.

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the identified geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in immediate proximity, defined by derogation, for making and processing the wines and for making, processing, ageing and bottling wines that qualify for the ‘aged on the lees’ indication, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Boussay, Chaumes-en-Retz (delegated municipality of Arthon-en-Retz only), Couffé, Ligné, Loireauxence (delegated municipality of Varades only), La Marne, Mésanger, Paulx, Rezé.

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Beaupréau-en-Mauges (delegated municipality of Gesté only), Montrevault-sur-Èvre (delegated municipalities of La Boissière-sur-Evre, Le Fuilet and Le Puiset-Doré only).

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The name of the registered designation of origin may be followed by the indication ‘sur lie’ (‘aged on the lees’) in accordance with the specific rules laid down in the product specification.

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

The indication ‘sur lie’ and the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ must be written in letters smaller than or of the same size (in height, width and thickness) as the letters forming the name of the registered designation of origin.

For wines bearing the ‘sur lie’ indication, the vintage must also appear on the label.

Wines bearing the registered designation of origin may specify a smaller geographical entity on their labels, provided that:

— it is a registered place name;

— it appears on the harvest declaration.

The place name must be printed in letters no larger, in height, width or thickness, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the registered designation of origin. It must appear in the same visual field as the name of the designation.

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging in the demarcated area

Description of the condition:

Wines qualifying for the ‘aged on the lees’ indication are bottled at the winery, so as to keep decanting to a minimum, between 1 March and 31 December of the year following the harvest. This is to preserve the qualities obtained using specific winemaking techniques and cellar operations, in particular the wines’ freshness and complex aromas, and a slight effervescence due to their naturally occurring carbon dioxide content.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-347ec668-4e57-45b4-b27e-0cf1ba019400

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