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 520/09)

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

COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Barsac’

PDO-FR-A0186-AM03

Date of communication: 26 October 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Official Geographic Code

The municipalities making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity have been updated in line with the Official Geographic Code.

The boundaries of the area remain unchanged.

Points 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended.

2. Pruning

Pruning for grapes of the Muscadelle variety has been adjusted from one bud per spur to two buds per spur and a maximum of eight buds. The purpose of this amendment is mitigate the reduction in vine vigour for this variety.

Point 5.1 of the single document has been amended.

3. Agri-environmental provisions

The following agri-environmental provisions have been added to the specification.

Dead vines must be removed from the parcels. Dead vines must not be kept on the parcels.

Parcels must not be abandoned.

Full chemical weed control on parcels is prohibited.

All winegrowers must calculate and record their treatment frequency index (TFI).

These amendments are intended to take better account of the environment and of general demands for less use of plant protection products.

These amendments do not require any changes to the single document.

4. Coefficient K

A coefficient K has been added to allow the same parcel to produce wines from over-ripe grapes as well as dry wines.

Wines of the designation ‘Barsac’ are made from over-ripe or botrytised grapes harvested in multiple passes. However, depending on the climate conditions, sometimes the grapes are not suitable for making sweet wines with residual sugars. Including a coefficient K means that these grapes can be made into dry wines.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

5. Date for circulation between authorised warehouses

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter I on the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

6. Transitional measures

Transitional measures that have expired have been withdrawn from the specification.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

7. Withdrawal declaration

An obligation to declare has been added in the event of any withdrawals concerning the designations ‘Barsac’ and ‘Sauternes’. The aim of this amendment is to provide better information about volumes withdrawn.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

8. Claim declaration

The wording of the claim declaration has been amended so that it can be sent to the protection and management body before 15 December of the harvest year.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

9. Reference to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording of other product specifications. It is a purely formal amendment.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Barsac

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Barsac

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

Still white wines with residual sugars.

They have a natural alcoholic strength by volume of at least 15 %.

The total alcoholic strength by volume of the wines after enrichment does not exceed 21 %.

All the wine, whether packaged or sold in bulk, has a fermentable sugar content of at least 45 grams per litre.

The characteristics of the wines of Barsac are mainly due to the grapes being botrytised. The fungus causes biochemical changes that give rise to the specific olfactory and gustatory components, as well as the concentration of sugars in the grapes. When young, they are golden in colour and develop floral and fruity perfumes. Then, as they age, their colour deepens and they develop their ‘roasted’ bouquet composed of powerful aromas, often toast, candied fruits, citrus and honey, with a very long aromatic finish. They are very rich and unctuous in the mouth. They are distinguished by their very fruity aromas and their liveliness. The latter is a product of the chalky terroir which is also often expressed in the mineral texture, with great power and balance.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 12 Minimum total acidity in milliequivalents per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 25 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Density and spacing

Cultivation method

The minimum planting density for the vines is 6 500 plants per hectare. The spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,80 metres. The average distance between the rows of vines must not exceed 1,90 metres.

2. Pruning rules

Cultivation method

Pruning takes place by 1 May at the latest.

The vines are pruned using the following techniques:

— Muscadelle B grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds, with a maximum of eight buds;

— Semillon B grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms, with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds; or mixed Guyot with a maximum of six buds on the cane and two spurs pruned to a maximum of two buds, with one pointing away from the cane;

— Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms, with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds; mixed Guyot with a maximum of six buds on the cane and two spurs pruned to a maximum of two buds, with one pointing away from the cane; or Bordeaux pruning, each vine has two canes with a maximum of four buds on each.

3. Specific harvest provisions

Cultivation method

The wines are made from over-ripe grapes, with the presence of ‘noble rot’, harvested by hand in multiple passes.

4. Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Enrichment is permitted as set out in the product specification.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. 28 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced, matured and aged in the territory of the municipality of Barsac, based on the 2019 Official Geographic Code of 19 March 2021, in the department of Gironde.

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Muscadelle B

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Gris G - Fié Gris

Semillon B

8. Description of the link(s)

The unique climate offers particular microclimate conditions which are the reason why a fungus develops on the grape. Botrytis cinerea develops into the ‘noble rot’ which gives the wines of the Sauternes area their typical characteristics in this specific environment.

These wines are produced from parcels, or parts of parcels, which have been strictly and carefully demarcated on the basis of objective criteria and techniques prior to production.

Over time, people selected the grape varieties most suitable for the effects of botrytis. As a result, Semillon B would become the grape of the Sauternes area.

Furthermore, in order to achieve sufficient concentration to produce these wines, pruning is rigorous, with a specific form for each of the varieties. The éventail pruning method is often used: a type of spur pruning specific to this region.

In order to achieve excellence, the wines are made from over-ripe grapes, with the presence of ‘noble rot’, harvested by hand in multiple passes. The yields are very low after over-ripening, especially as climate conditions vary from year to year and can sometimes drastically reduce the harvests. As a result of over-ripening, the wines have a minimum average natural alcoholic strength by volume of 15 %.

The planting densities are high because wine production per vine is very low after concentration. The fermentation of these wines is slow and often carried out in barrels. The wines are matured for a long time before bottling. This is necessary for their full development and best expression.

All of these production conditions are identical to those of the designation ‘Sauternes’. Among the municipalities associated with the designation ‘Sauternes’, the distinction of ‘Barsac’ is largely due to the particular characteristics of its soils and landscape. The water supply and the limestone components of the soil give unique subtleties to these rather lively wines with their sustained aromas and very fruity notes.

The reputation of the wines of Barsac was established long ago among the iconic châteaux. From the 13th century, Barsac enjoyed the title of ‘Royal Provostship’. The port of Barsac was one of the largest on the left bank of the Garonne. Many goods passed through the port, including wine in barrels which were transported down the Garonne to Bordeaux on traditional ferries known as gabares.

In 1855, on the initiative of the emperor Napoleon III, the wines of Bordeaux were classified for the Exposition Universelle. This Gironde designation was given significant recognition with the classification of ten crus, comprising two first growths and eight second growths, in the municipality of Barsac, among the 27 classed growths of the five municipalities covered by the designation ‘Sauternes’. This classification took into account the prices of the wines, which reflected their quality. The classed growths represent 30 % of the production of the ‘Barsac’ designation. These wines are known throughout the world and very widely exported. Even today, their reputation is indisputable.

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

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 vinification, maturing and ageing, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code of 19 March 2021: Bommes, Budos, Cadillac, Cérons, Fargues, Illats, Langon, Omet, Preignac, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Roaillan, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont and Sauternes.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further condition

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition

Wines with the protected designation of origin may specify on their labels the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’.

The size of the letters used for this broader geographical unit must not be larger, in either height or width, than two thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-496a5541-69d8-4bcf-88b0-6968f1204c18

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