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

(2022/C 88/13)

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

‘Médoc’

PDO-FR-A0730-AM04

Date of communication: 26 November 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Official geographical code

The communes making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity have been updated in line with the official geographical code.

The geographical area itself remains unchanged.

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

2. Demarcated parcel area

The date of 3 June 2021 has been added to the list of meetings of the relevant national committee that approved the demarcated parcel areas.

This amendment adds the date on which the competent national authority approved changes to the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Demarcation is carried out by identifying the parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the wines covered by the protected designation of origin.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3. Circulation between authorised warehousekeepers

Section IX(5)(b) of Chapter I, which stated the date on which wines could begin circulating between authorised warehousekeepers, has been deleted.

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

4. Transitional measures

Transitional measures that have expired have been withdrawn from the specification.

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

5. Reference to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording used in other product specifications. This is merely an editorial change.

This amendment has not required any changes to the single document.

6. Link with origin

The updating of the list of communes in line with the official geographical code means that the number of communes has dropped from 51 to 50, and the link has been amended accordingly.

Point 8 of the single document has been amended.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Médoc

2. Type of geographical indication

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Category of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

These are still red wines with excellent ageing potential. They are tannic wines, with an intense colour, made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon N (traditional variety) blended with Merlot N and smaller quantities of Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N or, less often, Cot N and Carmenère N. Cabernet Sauvignon N gives the wine spicy notes, while Merlot N makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit. The addition of Cabernet Franc N or Petit Verdot N enhances the wines’ structure and complexity, while the latter variety also adds freshness.

After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %.

Their minimum alcoholic strength by volume is 11 %.

Every batch of wine sold (in bulk) or packaged has:

— a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) not greater than 3 g/l

— a malic acid content not greater than 0,2 g/l

Wines sold in bulk or packaged before 1 October in the year following the year of harvest have a volatile acidity content of not more than 12,25 meq/l. Beyond that date, the wines have a volatile acidity content of not more than 16,33 meq/l.

Every batch of wine sold in bulk has a sulphur dioxide content of not more than 140 mg/l.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) 13 Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum total acidity in milliequivalents per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 16,33 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Reductive methods of enrichment are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %.

2. Training of the vines

Cultivation method

Density: the minimum planting density of the vines is 5 000 plants per hectare. The distance between the rows is not more than 2 metres and the distance between plants in the same row is at least 0,80 metres.

Pruning rules: pruning is mandatory. It is carried out at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest. The vines are pruned using the following techniques:

— two cane pruning, double Guyot or Médoc, with a maximum of five count buds per cane;

— simple Guyot and mixed Guyot, with a maximum of seven count buds per vine;

— short pruning, fan pruning to four arms or two cordons, with a maximum of 12 count buds per vine.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. 65 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and matured on the territory of the following communes in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the official geographical code in force on 1 January 2021: Arcins, Arsac, Avensan, Bégadan, Blaignan-Prignac, Blanquefort, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Cissac-Médoc, Civrac-en-Médoc, Couquèques, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Labarde, Lamarque, Lesparre-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Ludon-Médoc, Macau, Margaux-Cantenac, Moulis-en-Médoc, Naujac-sur-Mer, Ordonnac, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Le Pian-Médoc, Queyrac, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Sainte-Hélène, Salaunes, Soulac-sur-Mer, Soussans, Le Taillan-Médoc, Talais, Valeyrac, Vendays-Montalivet, Vensac, Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Vertheuil.

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Carmenère N

Cot N - Malbec

Merlot N

Petit Verdot N

8. Description of the link(s)

The geographical area demarcated for the ‘Médoc’ registered designation of origin is located in the department of Gironde on the left banks of the Garonne river and the Gironde estuary, north of Bordeaux. This wine-growing area of the Médoc peninsula stretches for almost 80 kilometres from north to south and just over ten kilometres from east to west, and covers 50 communes.

The riverside flank of the Médoc region is characterised by moderate seasonal fluctuations and very modest rainfall for an Atlantic climate. Although the geographical area has a cooler climate than the south of the peninsula owing to its northerly location, it also receives less precipitation. These climatic conditions, which are good for wine growing, are due to the presence of the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Gironde estuary to the east, which help to regulate temperatures. The oceanic climate, in some years combined with periods of autumnal low pressure and rain or, conversely, warm and very sunny autumns, creates a notable ‘vintage’ effect.

The resulting vineyard landscapes are relatively level (altitude between 3 and 50 metres), bordered by forest to the west and the Gironde estuary to the east. Gravelly hillocks planted with vines stretch from north to south, bounded by jalles (streams) and marshier non-winegrowing areas.

Generations of winegrowers have expertly exploited the unique characteristics of Médoc’s world-famous wine-growing country. Over time, the winegrowers’ detailed knowledge of the soil, and their expert use of drainage techniques to further improve its quality, have allowed them to develop the best possible growing methods for producing red wines with good longevity. Advances in plant health and the mechanisation of vineyards have not altered the winegrowers’ determination to maintain viticultural practices that enable them to produce their distinctive red wines.

Today the main varieties used in the Médoc region are Cabernet Sauvignon N, the preferred variety for gravelly soils, Merlot N, prized for its fruitiness, Cabernet Franc N, for predominantly limestone soils, and Petit Verdot N, for warm, well-drained soils. The diversity of grape varieties and soil types covered by the ‘Médoc’ designation of origin requires a selective approach to vineyard management.

This selective approach enables very ripe and healthy grapes to be obtained, with a controlled yield. Maceration is therefore possible to obtain the concentrated wines desired. This means that maturing for at least six months is essential to develop a rounder taste.

‘Médoc’ wines are tannic, with an intense colour, and made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon N combined with Merlot N and smaller quantities of Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N or, more rarely, Cot N and Carmenère N. Cabernet Sauvignon N is the traditional variety and it gives the wines spicy notes. Blending with Merlot N makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit. When Merlot predominates, the desired aromas develop more quickly. The addition of Cabernet Franc N or Petit Verdot N enhances the wines’ structure and complexity, while the latter variety also adds freshness.

The wines have excellent ageing potential.

Renowned for centuries, this wine-growing region, crossed by the Bordeaux wine route, is dotted with wine châteaux, vast estates with a varied architectural heritage, and very small family vineyards where winemaking, sales and promotion are aided by the various wine cooperatives.

‘Médoc’ wines have been renowned for centuries and their reputation is founded on the notion of the Château. After the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the future king of England Henry Plantagenet in 1152, the development of trade with England played a major part in building the reputation of these wines abroad.

In 1647, when the ‘Jurade de Bordeaux’ issued the first ever ranking of Guyenne wines, the reputation of the wines from the Médoc parishes was already established. Under Louis XV, this classification was refined by region, divided first by parish and then by cru. These various classifications culminated in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines, which placed ‘Médoc’ wines among the wines of Gironde. Later, in 1932, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification was published.

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 development and maturing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following communes in the department of Gironde, in line with of the official geographical code in force on 1 January 2021: Abzac, Aillas, Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Ambès, Anglade, Arbanats, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Artigues-près-Bordeaux, Arveyres, Asques, Aubiac, Auriolles, Auros, Ayguemorte-les-Graves, Bagas, Baigneaux, Barie, Baron, Barsac, Bassanne, Bassens, Baurech, Bayas, Bayon-sur-Gironde, Bazas, Beautiran, Bègles, Béguey, Bellebat, Bellefond, Belvès-de-Castillon, Bernos-Beaulac, Berson, Berthez, Beychac-et-Caillau, Bieujac, Les Billaux, Birac, Blaignac, Blasimon, Blaye, Blésignac, Bommes, Bonnetan, Bonzac, Bordeaux, Bossugan, Bouliac, Bourdelles, Bourg, Le Bouscat, Branne, Brannens, Braud-et-Saint-Louis, La Brède, Brouqueyran, Bruges, Budos, Cabanac-et-Villagrains, Cabara, Cadarsac, Cadaujac, Cadillac, Cadillac-en-Fronsadais, Camarsac, Cambes, Camblanes-et-Meynac, Camiac-et-Saint-Denis, Camiran, Camps-sur-l’Isle, Campugnan, Canéjan, Capian, Caplong, Carbon-Blanc, Cardan, Carignan-de-Bordeaux, Cars, Cartelègue, Casseuil, Castelmoron-d’Albret, Castelviel, Castets et Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille, Castres-Gironde, Caudrot, Caumont, Cauvignac, Cavignac, Cazats, Cazaugitat, Cénac, Cenon, Cérons, Cessac, Cestas, Cézac, Chamadelle, Civrac-de-Blaye, Civrac-sur-Dordogne, Cleyrac, Coimères, Coirac, Comps, Coubeyrac, Courpiac, Cours-de-Monségur, Cours-les-Bains, Coutras, Coutures, Créon, Croignon, Cubnezais, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Cudos, Cursan, Daignac, Dardenac, Daubèze, Dieulivol, Donnezac, Donzac, Doulezon, Les Eglisottes-et-Chalaures, Escoussans, Espiet, Les Esseintes, Etauliers, Eynesse, Eyrans, Eysines, Faleyras, Fargues, Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, Le Fieu, Flaujagues, Floirac, Floudès, Fontet, Fossés-et-Baleyssac, Fours, Francs, Fronsac, Frontenac, Gabarnac, Gajac, Galgon, Gans, Gardegan-et-Tourtirac, Gauriac, Gauriaguet, Générac, Génissac, Gensac, Gironde-sur-Dropt, Gornac, Gours, Gradignan, Grézillac, Grignols, Guillac, Guillos, Guîtres, Le Haillan, Haux, Hure, Illats, Isle-Saint-Georges, Izon, Jugazan, Juillac, Labescau, Ladaux, Lados, Lagorce, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lamothe-Landerron, La Lande-de-Fronsac, Landerrouat, Landerrouet-sur-Ségur, Landiras, Langoiran, Langon, Lansac, Lapouyade, Laroque, Laruscade, Latresne, Lavazan, Léogeats, Léognan, Lestiac-sur-Garonne, Les Lèves-et-Thoumeyragues, Libourne, Lignan-de-Bazas, Lignan-de-Bordeaux, Ligueux, Listrac-de-Durèze, Lormont, Loubens, Loupes, Loupiac, Loupiac-de-la-Réole, Lugaignac, Lugasson, Lugon-et-l’Ile-du-Carnay, Lussac, Madirac, Maransin, Marcenais, Margueron, Marimbault, Marions, Marsas, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Martillac, Martres, Masseilles, Massugas, Mauriac, Mazères, Mazion, Mérignac, Mérignas, Mesterrieux, Mombrier, Mongauzy, Monprimblanc, Monségur, Montagne, Montagoudin, Montignac, Montussan, Morizès, Mouillac, Mouliets-et-Villemartin, Moulon, Mourens, Naujan-et-Postiac, Néac, Nérigean, Neuffons, Le Nizan, Noaillac, Noaillan, Omet, Paillet, Les Peintures, Pellegrue, Périssac, Pessac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Peujard, Le Pian-sur-Garonne, Pineuilh, Plassac, Pleine-Selve, Podensac, Pomerol, Pompéjac, Pompignac, Pondaurat, Porchères, Porte-de-Benauge, Portets, Le Pout, Préchac, Preignac, Prignac-et-Marcamps, Pugnac, Puisseguin, Pujols, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Le Puy, Puybarban, Puynormand, Quinsac, Rauzan, Reignac, La Réole, Rimons, Riocaud, Rions, La Rivière, Roaillan, Romagne, Roquebrune, La Roquille, Ruch, Sablons, Sadirac, Saillans, Saint-Aignan, Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Saint-André-du-Bois, Saint-André-et-Appelles, Saint-Androny, Saint-Antoine-du-Queyret, Saint-Antoine-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Aubin-de-Blaye, Saint-Aubin-de-Branne, Saint-Avit-de-Soulège, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Brice, Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye, Saint-Christophe-de-Double, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac, Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, Saint-Côme, Saint-Denis-de-Pile, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Exupéry, Saint-Félix-de-Foncaude, Saint-Ferme, Saint-Genès-de-Blaye, Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, Saint-Genès-de-Fronsac, Saint-Genès-de-Lombaud, Saint-Genis-du-Bois, Saint-Germain-de-Grave, Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière, Saint-Germain-du-Puch, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Girons-d’Aiguevives, Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille, Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Saint-Laurent-d’Arce, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Laurent-du-Plan, Saint-Léon, Saint-Loubert, Saint-Loubès, Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand, Saint-Macaire, Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, Saint-Maixant, Saint-Mariens, Saint-Martial, Saint-Martin-de-Laye, Saint-Martin-de-Lerm, Saint-Martin-de-Sescas, Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Puy, Saint-Martin-Lacaussade, Saint-Médard-de-Guizières, Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans, Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac, Saint-Michel-de-Lapujade, Saint-Michel-de-Rieufret, Saint-Morillon, Saint-Palais, Saint-Pardon-de-Conques, Saint-Paul, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Pey-de-Castets, Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille, Saint-Philippe-du-Seignal, Saint-Pierre-d’Aurillac, Saint-Pierre-de-Bat, Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, Saint-Quentin-de-Baron, Saint-Quentin-de-Caplong, Saint-Romain-la-Virvée, Saint-Sauveur-de-Puynormand, Saint-Savin, Saint-Selve, Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, Saint-Seurin-de-Cursac, Saint-Seurin-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Sève, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Saint-Sulpice-de-Guilleragues, Saint-Sulpice-de-Pommiers, Saint-Sulpice-et-Cameyrac, Saint-Trojan, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, Saint-Vivien-de-Blaye, Saint-Vivien-de-Monségur, Saint-Yzan-de-Soudiac, Sainte-Colombe, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Sainte-Eulalie, Sainte-Florence, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Longue, Sainte-Gemme, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Terre, Sallebœuf, Les Salles-de-Castillon, Samonac, Saucats, Saugon, Sauternes, La Sauve, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Sauviac, Savignac, Savignac-de-l’Isle, Semens, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulignac, Soussac, Tabanac, Taillecavat, Talence, Targon, Tarnès, Tauriac, Tayac, Teuillac, Tizac-de-Curton, Tizac-de-Lapouyade, Toulenne, Le Tourne, Tresses, Uzeste, Val-de-Livenne, Val de Virvée, Vayres, Vérac, Verdelais, Vignonet, Villandraut, Villegouge, Villenave-de-Rions, Villenave-d’Ornon, Villeneuve, Virelade, Virsac and Yvrac.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The broader geographical unit may be specified on the label: ‘Vin de Bordeaux – Médoc’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux – Médoc’. In this case, the size of the letters used must not be larger, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters spelling the name of the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-40c12dea-0f6d-4f13-accb-ed4795fb5f3a

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