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 46/16)

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

‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’

PDO-FR-A0496-AM01

Date of communication: 14 November 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Geographical area

The revision of the geographical area of the ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ designation has the following consequences:

— the inclusion of two municipalities (Geneston, La Planche) and four part-municipalities (Le Bignon, Montbert, Les Sorinières, Vieillevigne), all of which come from the geographical area of the ‘Muscadet’ regional designation;

— the exclusion of two municipalities (Bouguenais, Touvois) and two part-municipalities (Legé, Sainte-Pazanne) following work to restrict the wine-growing area to those sectors where quality viticulture has been maintained.

In order to increase legal certainty, the new list of administrative entities is referenced according to the current version of the official geographic code, updated annually by the INSEE (French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the geographical area.

2. Demarcated parcel area

In chapter I, point IV(2) of the specification, the words ‘and 19 January 2017’ are added after the words ‘5 September 2007’.

The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the competent national authority approved a modification of the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Parcels are demarcated by identifying the parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the product covered by the registered designation of origin in question.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

3. Area in immediate proximity

The area in immediate proximity has been updated following the merger of municipalities and the revision of the geographical area. The overall winemaking area of the designation has not changed.

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the additional conditions.

4. Growing methods

In chapter I, point IX(1), the words ‘They remain on their fine winemaking lees at the time of packing or when first dispatched from the winery.’ are added.

Keeping wines on their fine lees makes it possible to give the products their typical roundness. This makes it possible to assert and strengthen the segmentation of the different Muscadet designations.

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the wine-making practices.

5. Heat treatment

The ban on the use of heat treatment on wine involving temperatures above 40 °C is deleted. This amendment is intended to allow operators to use all the technical means available to manage the effects of difficult growing 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 regarding the wine-making practices.

6. Packaging

The end of the packaging period for wines marked ‘sur lie’ [aged on the lees] is extended from 30 November to 31 December. This amendment makes it possible to extend the bottling period of such wines by a month in order to optimise the marketing period of this category without changing the roundness and slight effervescence associated with that marking.

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the additional conditions.

7. Circulation of wines

Point 4(b) of section IX of Chapter 1 concerning the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

8. Link

The link has been modified to take account of the change in the number of municipalities, to correct an error (the name is ‘Bay of Bourgneuf’ and not ‘Bay of Bourgneuf-en-Retz’), and to update the last paragraph of point 1 concerning the number of producers and the volume produced.

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the link with the geographical area.

9. Labelling

A point c) has been added to section XI: ‘c) Wines with the controlled 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.

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

The Single Document has been amended accordingly regarding the additional conditions.

10. Reporting requirements

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

The prior declaration of transaction has been changed into a prior declaration of dispatch.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

11. Withdrawal

The details of the withdrawal declaration are specified in order to improve their accountability.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

12. Records

Editorial changes have been made with regard to record-keeping.

— In point II(2) of Chapter II:

— point (b), the words ‘until the date of submitting the claim statement’ and ‘the acidity of the must’ have been deleted;

— point (c), the word ‘book’ has been replaced by ‘records’;

— point (d), the word ‘book’ has been replaced by ‘records’ and the words ‘or marketing wines of the registered designation of origin unbottled’ have been deleted.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

13. Main points for checking

Chapter 3 has been updated to harmonise the wording of the main points to be checked across specifications from the Nantes area.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

These are still white, dry wines.

These wines have:

— a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10 %;

— a maximum fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) of 3 grams per litre;

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

— a total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment of 12 %.

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

They have intense aromas, dominated by fruit and citrus, sometimes iodine notes and a balance of taste which generally tends towards freshness.

Prolonged maturation can give them greater richness in the mouth and make them suitable for ageing.

They are packed carefully in bottles to preserve and strengthen their aromatic richness.

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

Specific oenological practices

Growing method

The minimum planting density of the vines is 6500 plants per hectare.

The distance between the rows is 1,5 metres or less, and the spacing between plants in the same row is between 0,9 and 1,1 metres.

The vines are pruned with a maximum of 12 buds per plant:

— either by short pruning with a maximum of 5 spurs per plant;

— or by means of either simple or double Guyot.

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

Regardless of the pruning method, the vines can be pruned with four additional buds per plant on condition that, at the phenological stage corresponding to 11 or 12 leaves, there are no more than 12 fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant.

Specific oenological practice

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

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 12 %.

The wines are aged on their fine winemaking lees at the end of alcoholic fermentation and at least until 1 March of the year following harvest. They remain on their fine winemaking lees at the time of packing or when first dispatched from the winery.

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

b. Maximum yields

66 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 on 15 June 2017. The perimeter of this area, on the date of approval of this specification by the competent national committee, comprises the territory of the following municipalities or part-municipalities, as based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Le Bignon (partly), Bouaye, Brains, La Chevrolière, Corcoué-sur-Logne, Geneston, Legé (partly), La Limouzinière, La Planche, Montbert (partly), Pont-Saint-Martin, Port-Saint-Père, Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu, Saint-Colomban, Sainte-Pazanne (partly), Saint-Léger-les-Vignes, Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais, Saint-Mars-de-Coutais, Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, Les Sorinières (partly), Vieillevigne (partly).

— Department of Vendée: Rocheservière, Saint-Philbert-de-Bouaine.

7. Main wine grapes

Melon B

8. Description of the link(s)

1. Information on the geographical area

a) Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The wine-growing area with the registered designation of origin ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ is essentially situated on the hillsides surrounding the Lac de Grandlieu and on the banks of the rivers feeding it (the Logne, Boulogne and Ognon), as well as on the slopes of the river Acheneau which serves as an outlet and joins the estuary of the Loire between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire. The geographical area covers a part of the territory of the departments of Loire-Atlantique and Vendée, south of the city of Nantes, not far from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It forms the westernmost part of the geographical area of the ‘Muscadet’ registered designation of origin. The vineyards are situated within ‘islands’ in the best locations, often isolated in a landscape mainly devoted to livestock and crop farming.

The geographical area has a particularly temperate oceanic climate with very small temperature variations throughout the year due to the proximity of the coast. In winter the Lac de Grandlieu is the largest freshwater area in metropolitan France and helps to increase the sweetness of the air, greatly reducing the frequency of frost. The absence of any significant hills between the coast and the vineyards favours the rapid circulation of cloudbearing sea air, thus leading to low rainfall within the geographical area and to more hours of sunshine than further inland. Summer temperatures are generally mild and moisture from the Lac de Grandlieu mitigates the rare heatwaves.

The area’s geological structure is principally composed of metamorphic rocks, mainly misaschists and gneiss, as well as broad bands of basic rocks, amphibolites, eclogites and prasinites. In the lower areas, around the Lac de Grandlieu, the primary base is sometimes covered with tertiary sediments, mainly consisting of sand with a variable proportion of clay and pebbles. The soils that develop on these different formations are usually brown, healthy and well-drained. The well-established parcel area where the grapes are harvested follows the contours of hillsides forming open landscapes mainly or traditionally planted with vines, and parcels with shallow and moderately fertile soils which have a good heat-retaining capacity and a limited water-holding capacity.

b) Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

The vineyard area with the registered designation of origin ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ has inherited an ancient wine-growing tradition. During the Middle Ages the salt route from the Bay of Bourgneuf and Noirmoutier already passed via the Lac de Grandlieu for the supply of wine. There had long been active trade with Ireland and the Celtic countries. The medieval vineyards were extended at the instigation of the abbeys of Buzay (on the banks of the Acheneau) and Villeneuve (on the banks of the Ognon).

From the 14th century onwards a commercial wine trade was established thanks to the presence of the northern European fleets in the Bay of Bourgneuf. In the 16th century demand from Dutch traders encouraged the production of white wines. Thus the Melon B variety was established in the region, where it was called ‘Muscadet’ from the mid-17th century. At the end of the end of the 18th century the parish of Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu already had one third of its land planted with vines. This municipality had up to 750 hectares of vines during the Second Empire.

Following the phylloxera outbreak, the wine-growing area rebuilt itself using grafted plants and new techniques such as the Guyot pruning method and planting in rows. Since then, production know-how is well consolidated with winegrowers using Melon B as the sole variety, maintaining a high planting density, checking the vines’ growth and limiting their yield, and harvesting the grapes once fully ripened.

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 knowhow 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 an ageing 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, based on letting the wines rest and keeping them in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, which strongly limits oxidation and the release of volatile compounds, allows the wines to preserve the aromas formed during the alcoholic fermentation until the spring and beyond. During ageing, the wines are also enriched with tertiary aromas. The grapes, musts and wines produced by the melon B variety contain a significant concentration of precursors of glycosidic aromas. These molecules, formed from aglycones related to sugars, are normally odourless, but the breaking of the β-glucosidic linkages by various chemical and enzymatic processes generates strongly odorous compounds, mainly of monoterpenes and C13-norisoprenoids, with the formation of mainly β-damascone, a substance known for its role as a supplier of fruity aromas of wines. The operators have acquired special expertise in protecting the wines from oxidation in the vat and bottling them with care, so that their fragrances can continue to be released as long as possible, making for more complex wines.

Since 1937 the best wine-growing locations in the geographical area have been recognised as the ‘Muscadet’ registered designation of origin. However, from 1955 the wine-growers on the best hillsides, seeking improve the value of the wines produced there, called for recognition of a registered designation of origin, repeating this request in 1979. The registered designation of origin ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ was finally recognised by decree of 29 December 1994. The wines may benefit from the traditional term ‘sur lie’ [aged on lees], the rules for which have been defined since 1977 in the ‘Muscadet’ AOC area. The wines are bottled during the year following the harvest, directly in the winery, so as to keep any racking and decanting to a minimum.

In 2016 the area under production was approximately 250 hectares operated by around 80 producers. The annual volume marketed amounts to approximately 12000 hectolitres of which the majority is marked ‘sur lie’.

2. Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

The wines with the registered designation of origin ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ are still white wines. They have intense aromas, dominated by fruit and citrus, sometimes iodine notes and a balance of taste which generally tends towards freshness. Prolonged maturation can give them greater richness in the mouth and make them suitable for ageing. They are packed carefully in bottles to preserve and strengthen their aromatic richness.

The wines with the endorsement ‘sur lie’ are balanced in the mouth, tending more towards roundness; they have a more complex bouquet and they may be slightly sparkling due to the residual carbon dioxide formed during the alcoholic fermentation. To preserve their freshness, aromatic richness and endogenous carbon dioxide, the wines are protected from oxidation during ageing. 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.

3. Causal interactions

The geographical area benefits from a climate directly influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the Lac de Grandlieu, characterised by very mild winters. Together with the fact that most parcels have soils that are mainly sandy, this climate ensures that the vines get off to an early start, benefit from long and sunny days throughout their growth cycle, and can be harvested before the autumn rains. This early start is reflected in the wines’ open and well-rounded character even when young.

The fracturing of the metamorphic rocks which form the geological base and the coarse texture of the soil allow the vines to develop deep roots, thus benefiting from a moderate and regular water supply which enables the grape bunches to ripen quickly. The cool summers ensure that the precursors of the fragile aromas present in the bunches of Melon B are preserved. Protected from diseases by the ocean breezes, the grapes can be harvested at full maturity, giving the wines their fruity character and delicate iodine aroma.

Even though it has inherited a long-standing wine production, the geographical area has for a long time been one of mixed farming dominated by livestock. The route taken by the operators to obtain recognition of the ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ AOC has led them to pool their wine practices. This collective know-how enables producers to optimise wine yields and the ripeness of the grapes.

Made in line with local custom, the wines are aged on their fine winemaking lees until packaging, without any racking. The geographical area’s mild winter temperatures, which favour interaction with the lees, allow the wines to continue to improve during ageing, growing richer on the palate from the very next spring. Careful bottling makes it possible to preserve the wine’s essential characteristics, as some aromas continue to develop after packaging. This know-how, perfectly suited to the potential of the natural environment and the melon B variety, allow the odorous molecules formed in fermentation and the precursors of glycosidic aromas to be fully expressed in the wines.

Bottled the year after the harvest, AOC wines marked ‘sur lie’ keep their characteristic freshness supported by a light effervescence due to the residual carbon dioxide formed during the wine-making process. To avoid any oxidation the wines are bottled directly at the winery. This traditional practice, which minimises handling, is perfectly suited to preserving the delicate aroma compounds of the wines.

The proximity of coastal tourist sites to the geographical area favoured the direct sales of wines. Unlike the majority of the products in the ‘Muscadet’ region, however, the share of production sold in bulk to traders is fairly small. Thanks to this commercial dynamism and the quality of the wines, almost all of the production has the label ‘sur lie’, whether exported abroad, sold to private clients, or served in the restaurants in the Atlantic coastal resorts, where the freshness of the wines harmonises well with shellfish, crustaceans, fish and all seafood products.

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 vinification, processing, ageing and packaging of wines eligible for the endorsement ‘sur lie’, comprises the territory of the following municipalities or part-municipalities on the basis of the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine, Ancenis, Basse-Goulaine, La Bernerie-en-Retz, Le Bignon (partly), La Boissière-du-Doré, Bouguenais, Boussay, Carquefou, Le Cellier, La Chapelle-Heulin, Château-Thébaud, Chaumes-en-Retz, Chauvé, Cheix-en-Retz, Clisson, Couffé, Divatte-sur-Loire, Frossay, Gétigné, Gorges, La Haie-Fouassière, Haute-Goulaine, Le Landreau, Legé (partly), Ligné, Loireauxence (delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Sauveur and Varades only), Le Loroux-Bottereau, Machecoul-Saint-Même, Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, La Marne, Mauves-sur-Loire, Mésanger, Monnières, Montbert (partly), Montrelais, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Mouzillon, Oudon, Le Pallet, Paulx, Le Pellerin, Pornic, La Regrippière, La Remaudière, Remouillé, Rezé, Rouans, Sainte-Pazanne (partly), Saint-Étienne-de-Mer-Morte, Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Saint-Géréon, Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, Saint-Hilaire-de-Clisson, Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson, Saint-Père-en-Retz, Saint-Viaud, Les Sorinières (partly), Thouaré-sur-Loire, Touvois, Vair-sur-Loire, Vallet, Vertou, Vieillevigne (partly), Villeneuve-en-Retz, Vue.

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Beaupréau-en-Mauges (delegated municipalities of Beaupréau and Gesté only), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (delegated municipality of Fresne-sur-Loire only), Mauges-sur-Loire (delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil only), Montrevault-sur-Èvre (delegated municipalities of La Boissière-sur-Èvre, La Chaussaire, Le Fief-Sauvin, Le Fuilet, Montrevault, Le Puiset-Doré, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart and Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges only), Orée d’Anjou, Sèvremoine (delegated municipalities of Montfaucon-Montigné, Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine, Saint-Germain-sur-Moine and Tillières only).

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging in the demarcated area

Description of the condition:

Wines that may be labelled ‘sur lie’ [aged on the lees] must be bottled within the demarcated area.

They are bottled at the winery, so as to keep decanting to a minimum, between 1 March and 30 November of the year following the harvest to preserve the qualities obtained using specific winemaking and ageing methods, in particular their freshness and complex aromas, some of which develop after bottling, and a slight effervescence due to their naturally occurring carbon dioxide content.

It is an ageing 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. This method is based on letting the wines rest and keeping them in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, which strongly limits oxidation and the release of volatile compounds.

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.

They remain on their fine winemaking lees at the time of packing or when first dispatched from the winery.

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 reference ‘sur lie’ for wines meeting the production conditions laid down for that reference in the specification.

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

The size of the letters of the reference ‘sur lie’ and the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ may not be larger, either in height, width or thickness, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

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

Wines with the controlled 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.

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

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-82f0846a-250f-4d39-a81d-0232a960a3a6

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