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 83/14)

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

‘Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence’

Reference number PDO-FR-A0159-AM03

Date of communication: 20 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Definition of the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity

The reference to the Official Geographic Code for 2019 has been noted in point IV of the Specification in order to clarify the list of municipalities comprising the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity.

This clarification was included in the ‘additional conditions’ of the Single Document.

2. Vine varieties

In point V of the Specification, the Caladoc Noir N secondary variety has been included in the list of vine varieties authorised for the production of red and rosé wines. The addition of Caladoc Noir N follows a number of trials carried out on the 2005 to 2017 vintages.

The profile of the AOC (controlled designation of origin) wines is maintained and this variety may be added as a secondary variety up to a maximum of 10 %.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The red wines are balanced and fruity and can achieve their full expression after two or three years of ageing in the bottle. They have a floral aroma with violet or plant notes, bringing to mind hay, bay leaves and tobacco. These then give way to more sophisticated aromas such as cinnamon and fur. These characteristics are obtained after an ageing period extending at least until 15 April of the year following that of the harvest. The wines are mainly produced from the Grenache N, Mourvèdre N and Syrah N varieties, often used together with the Cabernet Sauvignon N and Carignan N varieties.

The rosé wines are light, supple, fruity and floral and are mostly drunk young. They are essentially produced from Grenache N, Cinsaut N and Counoise N varieties. They are lustrous with an attractive pale pink colour.

The white wines come from the Vermentino B variety, which is generally used together with the Ugni Blanc B and Clairette B varieties. They are fresh, with floral and fruity notes.

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 % vol.

At the time of packaging, the red wines have a maximum malic acid content of 0,4 g per litre.

After fermentation, the wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 4 grams per litre.

The analytical characteristics not given follow Community legislation.

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. Essential oenological practices

Growing method

— The area available for each plant must not exceed 2,5 m2. This surface area is calculated by multiplying the spacing between rows by the spacing between plants.

— The distance between the rows is 2,5 metres or less, and the spacing between plants in the same row is at least 0,8 metres.

— The vines are pruned short (trained using the goblet or Royat cordon method). Each vine has a maximum of eight spurs with one or two buds.

— The Cabernet Sauvignon N, Sauvignon B, Semillon B and Syrah N varieties may be pruned using the Guyot method with a maximum of eight buds per vine.

— Irrigation is authorised pursuant to the provisions of Article D. 645-5 of the Rural and Maritime Fisheries Code.

Specific oenological practice

— For making rosé wines, use of oenological charcoal is permitted for the musts and new wines still in fermentation following pressing. This is limited to 20 % of the volume of rosé wines made by a given wine-grower for a specific harvest, at a maximum amount of 60 grams per hectolitre.

— The use of wood chips is prohibited.

b. Maximum yields

60 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced and developed in the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2019:

— In the department of Bouches-du-Rhône: Aix-en-Provence, Alleins, Aurons, La Barben, Les Baux-de-Provence, Berre-l’Etang, Charleval, Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, Cornillon-Confoux, Coudoux, Eguilles, Ensuès-la-Redonne, Eygalières, Eyguières, La Fare-les-Oliviers, Fontvielle, Gignac-la-Nerthe, Istres, Jouques, Lamanon, Lambesc, Lançon-Provence, Mallemort, Martigues, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Meyrargues, Mouriès, Paradou, Pelissanne, Peyrolles-en-Provence, Port-de-Bouc, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Rognac, Rognes, Saint-Cannat, Saint-Chamas, Saint-Estève-Janson, Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Salon-de-Provence, Vauvenargues, Velaux, Venelles, Ventabren and Vernègues;

— In the department of Var: Artigues and Rians.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Ugni Blanc B

Cinsaut N - Cinsault

Counoise N

Grenache N

Mourvèdre N - Monastrell

Syrah N - Shiraz

Vermentino B - Rolle

Clairette B

Grenache Blanc B

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon Blanc

8. Description of the link(s)

The protected designation of origin ‘Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence’ lies across the limestone area of lower Provence, with the Durance to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Rhône valley to the west, and Mont Sainte-Victoire to the east. It is specifically delimited to 47 municipalities in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and two municipalities in the department of Var.

Wine-growing activity is located either on marly-limestone formations providing stony soil with a clay-loam matrix, or on formations of molasse and sandstone with very sandy or stony, sandy-loam soils. Despite the gradient of the land away from the coast on the north flank of Mont Sainte-Victoire, the landscape is homogeneous given the characteristic morphology of the series of low hills and valleys where comparable lithological formations and soils are found.

The parcel area that has been precisely demarcated for harvesting grapes has stony soil with a clay-loam matrix derived from marl, and very sandy or stony, sandy-loam soils derived from molasse and sandstone. The marked presence of stones provides a shield against evaporation and is indispensable to the vines in terms of irrigation as it helps drainage.

The parcels with soil derived from marl are particularly suitable for the production of wines with a high alcohol content, and which are unctuous, pleasantly rich in aromas and with a tannic structure that ensures an excellent ageing potential.

The parcels with sandy soils derived from molasse and sandstone are more suited to obtaining wines with a lower alcohol content and which are light and fruity.

The very warm and sunny Mediterranean climate - with its strong Mistral winds - is particularly favourable to the development of demanding vine varieties, which have adapted over the generations and give the wines their quality and identity. Thus the Grenache N variety brings a high alcocol content and roundness, Cinsaut N provides finish and elegance, Syrah N fruity aromas, and Mourvèdre N makes the wines well-suited to ageing.

As is the case elsewhere in Provence, vine growing in the geographical area is over 2 000 years old. Vineyards in the area of Aix-en-Provence were widespread as early as the first century B.C. This is when vines became one of the three cornerstones of Mediterranean agriculture, along with olive trees and wheat.

The first phase of development coincided with the arrival of the Romans, followed by trade in the Middle Ages, by way of the Church. René of Anjou, the Count of Provence, brought his influence to bear to make the wines better known, which led to a significant increase in the area under cultivation as early as the 15th century. The vineyards were maintained and there was another important stage in their development starting in the middle of the 19th century with the clearing of ground on the slopes of the hills. This extension of wine-growing was also linked to the development of trade relations. The open trade policy initiated during the Second Empire consolidated this trend.

On 23 January 1956 the appellation of origin for delimited wine of superior quality was granted.

The decree of 24 December 1985 on the controlled designation of origin ‘Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence’ was the culmination of the qualitative efforts and perseverance of the producers in this community.

The know-how of the winemakers acquired through the experience of several generations is reflected in the blending of wines made in different conditions and with different grape varieties. This know-how adapted to the specific conditions of the area, which is used first and foremost for the production of red wines, has naturally been applied also to rosé wines and white wines.

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 the making and processing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2019:

— In the department of Bouches-du-Rhône: Arles, Aureille, Beaurecueil, Bouc-Bel-Air, Cabriès, Carry-le-Rouet, Eyragues, Fos-sur-Mer, Gardanne, Grans, Maillane, Meyreuil, Miramas, Mollégès, Noves, Orgon, Les Pennes-Mirabeau, La Roque-d’Anthéron, Marignane, Le Rove, Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, Saint-Martin-de-Crau, Saint-Paul-les-Durance, Sausset-les-Pins, Sénas, Tarascon, Le Tholonet and Vitrolles;

— In the department of Var: Esparron and Ollières.

Labelling

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 broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Provence’.

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

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-9620d36b-5963-4fa1-81df-458a8ea0c236

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