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

(2021/C 344/06)

This notice 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

‘Côte de Brouilly’

PDO-FR-A1027-AM02

Submitted on: 4 June 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Geographical area

In chapter I, section IV, point 1, the words ‘based on the 2019 Official Geographical Code’ have been added after ‘Rhône’.

This editorial amendment allows the geographical area to be identified with reference to the 2019 version of the Official Geographical Code, which is updated by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), and gives the definition of the geographical area legal certainty.

The boundaries of the geographical area remain unchanged.

The phrase ‘are undertaken’ has been replaced by ‘take place’.

Point 6 of the single document has been amended.

A sentence has also been added with the information that cartographic documents pertaining to the geographical area are available on the INAO website.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

2. Area in immediate proximity

In chapter I, section IV, point 3, the words ‘based on the 2019 Official Geographical Code’ have been added after ‘the following municipalities’.

A reference to the 2019 Official Geographical Code has been added and the list of municipalities updated. The date of approval of the geographical area of the designation by the competent national committee of the National Institute of Origin and Quality has also been added. These amendments change the wording but do not have any effect on the boundary of the geographical area in question. They are necessary as a result of mergers and splits among municipalities, or parts of municipalities, or name changes.

The new wording ensures that the municipalities in the geographical area continue to be clearly identified in the specification.

Point 9 of the single document has been amended.

3. Provisions relating to maturation

In chapter I, section IX, point 2, ‘1 March’ has been replaced by ‘15 January’.

The end date of the minimum maturation period for the wines has been brought forward from 1 March to 15 January of the year following harvest. This is due to early harvests becoming more common as a result of climate change, thus allowing earlier completion of the wine-making process.

The climatic conditions around the vineyards in question often result in some of the earliest ‘Beaujolais’ harvests. Consequently the grape variety gamay N rapidly reaches optimal ripeness, producing wines that can be enjoyed young.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended. Wine-making practices:

4. Placing on the market for sale to consumers

In chapter I, section IX, point 5, ‘15 March’ has been replaced by ‘1 February’.

As the end date of the minimum maturation period has been brought forward, the date for placing the wines on the market for sale to consumers has also been brought forward, from 15 March to 1 February.

This amendment does require any changes to the single document.

5. Transport between authorised warehouses

Point 5(b), section IX, chapter 1, concerning the date from which the wines can transported between authorised warehouses, has been deleted.

The minimum maturation period has been reduced and the date on which wines are placed on the market has been brought forward. It is therefore necessary to allow the wines to be transported between operators sooner. There is no need to establish an earlier date before which the wines cannot be transported.

The title of chapter I, section IX, point 5 has therefore been amended, with the removal of the words ‘the transport of products and’.

The single document is not affected by these amendments to the specification.

6. Transitional measures

Point 1(a), section XI, chapter 1 has been deleted as the transitional measure regarding the rules on the proportions of grape varieties to be used in blending no longer applies.

The title of point 1 has therefore been amended, with the removal of the words ‘rules on the proportions of grape varieties to be used in blending’.

At point 2(a), the phrase ‘at the latest’ has been added before the words ‘up to and including the 2034 harvest’, in order to be more specific about the conditions for this measure.

Point 4 has been deleted as the specific measures concerned are no longer in force.

The single document is not affected by these amendments to the specification.

7. Matters concerning monitoring the specification

— Operators are now monitored by a certification body. The words ‘inspection plans’ have been replaced by the words ‘monitoring plan’ in the relevant paragraphs in chapter II of the specification.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

— References to the inspection body

In section II of chapter III: the rules on wording in this section were amended following approval of the specification in December 2011. The purpose was to remove full references to the inspection authority where monitoring is conducted by a certification body.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Côte de Brouilly

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected designation of origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Brief written description

The wines are still, dry red wines. The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %.

The total alcoholic strength by volume of the wines after enrichment does not exceed 13 %.

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

Wines that are finished and ready to be released for consumption conform to the following analytical standards:

Maximum fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose): 3 grams per litre

The standards provided for in EU regulations apply to the maximum total alcoholic strength, minimum actual alcoholic strength, minimum total acidity and maximum total sulphur dioxide content.

‘Côte de Brouilly’ is a still, red wine. When young, it has an intense purplish red colour which develops into garnet red. On the nose, it gives floral and fruity notes which develop into spiced notes over time. In the mouth, it is fruity, medium-bodied and has a certain characteristic minerality.

General analytical characteristics

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) 14,17 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Specific oenological practice

Specific oenological practice

— The use of wood chips is prohibited.

— The total alcoholic strength by volume of the wines after enrichment does not exceed 13 %.

— Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted up to a concentration rate of 10 %.

— The wines must be aged until at least 15 January of the year following the harvest.

In addition to the above provisions, all wine-making practices followed must also comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

2. Cultivation method

Planting density

The minimum vine planting density is 6 000 plants per hectare.

The spacing between the rows is 2,1 meters or less. Between plants in the same row, spacing is at least 0,8 meters.

Provided that the minimum density of 6 000 plants per hectare is maintained, for the purposes of mechanisation, the spaces between rows may be a maximum of 3 meters.

Pruning rules

Pruning is completed by 15 May.

The wines are made from vines subject to spur pruning and trained to gobelet, éventail, or single or double cordon de Royat, or ‘Charmet’. Each plant has a maximum of ten buds.

Each plant has three to five spurs with a maximum of two buds. For regeneration purposes, each plant may also have a spur with a maximum of two buds cut from a water shoot growing out of the permanent wood.

During initial pruning, or conversion to a different form of pruning, vines are pruned to a maximum of 12 buds per plant.

Irrigation is prohibited.

Provisions relating to mechanised harvesting

The harvest is piled no higher than 0,5 metres in the containers transporting it from the parcel to the winery.

The containers are made of inert material suitable for food-use.

The equipment for picking and transporting the harvest includes a special water-drainage and protection system.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. 61 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced, developed and aged in the following municipalities of the Rhône department, based on the 2019 Official Geographic Code: Cercié, Odenas, Quincié-en-Beaujolais and Saint-Lager.

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Gamay N

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area lies on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, in the heart of the ‘Beaujolais’ vineyards. A true landmark in a sea of vines, Mont Brouilly is a small mountain that stands apart from the eastern side of the Beaujolais Mountains, 40 kilometres north of Lyon and 15 kilometres from Villefranche-sur-Saône.

The geographical area also covers the municipalities of Cercié, Odenas, Quincié-en-Beaujolais and Saint-Lager, in the Rhône department.

Among the Beaujolais Mountains, Mont Brouilly is very distinctive on account of its geology. It is formed of porphyry (massive metamorphic rocks), locally known as ‘blues stones’, and granite, on the lower west and north-west facing slopes.

Half of the vines are situated on the east-facing slope, located in the municipality of Saint-Lager. The south-facing slope is located in the municipality of Odenas, the west-facing in the municipality of Quincié-en-Beaujolais, and the north-facing in the municipality of Cercié. On the north-facing slope, vines are planted no higher than 350 metres while, on the other slopes, they reach a height of 400 metres.

The soils are sparse, with a high stone and clay content on the porphyry stones. On the granitic slopes, the soils are sandy with very effective drainage.

The climate is temperate semi-maritime with clear continental influences, such as summer storms and freezing winter fog. Southern influences dominate, with summer heat and most of the rain falling in autumn and spring.

Protected from the west winds by the Beaujolais hills, over 80 % of the vines are east and south-facing. As dawn breaks, the first rays of sunshine bring warmth and light to the hillside. Planted on the slopes, the vines are usually spared the spring frosts and the morning mists from the Saône plain. They benefit from maximum sunshine, and any excess rainfall quickly drains away.

8.2. Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

The name ‘Brouilly’ appears to come from the name of a Roman army officer Brulius, who is said to have settled on its slopes in the 4th century and to have planted some vines there. However, evidence for the cultivation of vines dates only from the 11th century, making ‘Côte de Brouilly’ one of the oldest vineyards in ‘Beaujolais’.

In the 17th century, numerous wine-producing estates were established in the villages, close to Mont Brouilly. The evidence for this comes from the châteaux where vines were frequently grown according to a local share-cropping system.

Shaken by the vine diseases of the 19th century, in 1857 local wine producers built a chapel at the top of Mont Brouilly. Called ‘Notre Dame du Raisin’ (Our Lady of Grapes), it was intended to protect the vines from outbreaks of powdery mildew.

Every year, there is a pilgrimage on 8 September with a procession through the vines ending up at the chapel.

In 1934, the Association of Wine Producers of the Côte de Brouilly was created.

The controlled designation of origin ‘Côte de Brouilly’ was recognised by the decree of 19 October 1938. It represents a fusion of characteristic regional traditions with modern techniques.

The vines are entirely devoted to the production of red wines, mainly from gamay N grapes. This variety is sensitive to late frost and vulnerable to harsh sunlight. In their quest to produce quality wines, the producers have learned to tame its growth, notably by using high planting density and spur pruning, with gobelet-training.

In order for the grapes to ripen properly, producers ensure that the canopy is sufficiently open. In this way, the vines can be trained on fixed trellising which also enables mechanisation.

In order to ensure optimal extraction of the aromatic and polyphenolic components of the grapes, many producers employ techniques that immerse the grapes in juice during fermentation. These include punching down, pumping over and a local cap management technique known as ‘grillage’.

In 2010, 182 producers cultivated 320 hectares of vines to produce 16 000 hectolitres.

8.3. Causal interactions

The geographical area enjoys specific geographical conditions. Limited to the slopes of a single mountain, the area draws together producers in a difficult natural environment where the constraints of working on hillsides are unforgiving.

Mindful of its unique nature, the producers have worked to ensure that their distinctive wine remains among the finest of ‘Beaujolais’. A significant part of their production continues to be placed on the market for direct sale.

Looking out over the broad Saône plain, the area benefits from the sunlight that encourages the plants to produce chlorophyll. The elevated position, south-facing aspect and exposure to the rising sun allow the grapes optimal and consistent ripening. The natural circumstances often result in some of the earliest ‘Beaujolais’ harvests.

In these particular geographical conditions, down the generations producers have developed techniques enabling them to make the most of gamay N. The grape variety is in its element in this geographical area. It is not a vigorous variety but it is fertile. Well adapted, selected and adopted by the producers, it requires spur pruning in order not to exhaust the vines and to produce a quality harvest.

The parcels specifically demarcated for the grape harvest are positioned on the sides of Mont Brouilly, with the best aspects and soils low in fertility. Subject to the best conditions for producing fine wines, these parcels guarantee the characteristic expression of the gamay N grape.

The parcels with soils formed on porphyry produce concentrated wines marked by the minerality characteristic of ‘Côte de Brouilly’ but with a distinctly fruity character. The parcels with soils formed on granitic sands produce earlier, more delicate wines. Furthermore, the hill offers various aspects lending the wines a many-shaded palette.

In his 1856 work, Topographie de tous les vignobles connus (Topography of all known vineyards), Jullien writes ‘Brouilly, situated on the highest part of the mountain of that name, makes wines that are almost equal to those of Chénas (Moulin-à-Vent). They have a deep colour, considerable body and they keep for a long time, especially the wines of the hamlets of Néronde, Odenas and Saint-Lager, which make wines of a beautiful colour that are robust and lively’.

Mont Brouilly is an exceptional landmark. Its sides are dotted with vineyards and its wooded summit, rising to 484 metres in altitude, is crowned by a small chapel. The site strongly influences the identity of the local people, even lending its name to their more famous 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 the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for wine-making, maturing and ageing comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2019:

— Department of Côte-d’Or:

Agencourt, Aloxe-Corton, Ancey, Arcenant, Argilly, Autricourt, Auxey-Duresses, Baubigny, Beaune, Belan-sur-Ource, Bévy, Bissey-la-Côte, Bligny-lès-Beaune, Boncourt-le-Bois, Bouix, Bouze-lès-Beaune, Brion-sur-Ource, Brochon, Cérilly, Chamboeuf, Chambolle-Musigny, Channay, Charrey-sur-Seine, Chassagne-Montrachet, Châtillon-sur-Seine, Chaumont-le-Bois, Chaux, Chenôve, Chevannes, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Clémencey, Collonges-lès-Bévy, Combertault, Comblanchien, Corcelles-les-Arts, Corcelles-les-Monts, Corgoloin, Cormot-Vauchignon, Corpeau, Couchey, Curley, Curtil-Vergy, Daix, Dijon, Ebaty, Echevronne, Epernay-sous-Gevrey, L’Etang-Vergy, Etrochey, Fixin, Flagey-Echézeaux, Flavignerot, Fleurey-sur-Ouche, Fussey, Gerland, Gevrey-Chambertin, Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, Gomméville, Grancey-sur-Ource, Griselles, Ladoix-Serrigny, Lantenay, Larrey, Levernois, Magny-lès-Villers, Mâlain, Marcenay, Marey-lès-Fussey, Marsannay-la-Côte, Massingy, Mavilly-Mandelot, Meloisey, Merceuil, Messanges, Meuilley, Meursanges, Meursault, Molesme, Montagny-lès-Beaune, Monthelie, Montliot-et-Courcelles, Morey-Saint-Denis, Mosson, Nantoux, Nicey, Noiron-sur-Seine, Nolay, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Obtrée, Pernand-Vergelesses, Perrigny-lès-Dijon, Plombières-lès-Dijon, Poinçon-lès-Larrey, Pommard, Pothières, Premeaux-Prissey, Prusly-sur-Ource, Puligny-Montrachet, Quincey, Reulle-Vergy, La Rochepot, Ruffey-lès-Beaune, Saint-Aubin, Saint-Bernard, Saint-Philibert, Saint-Romain, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Seine, Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche, Santenay, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Segrois, Tailly, Talant, Thoires, Vannaire, Velars-sur-Ouche, Vertault, Vignoles, Villars-Fontaine, Villebichot, Villedieu, Villers-la-Faye, Villers-Patras, Villy-le-Moutier, Vix, Volnay, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot

— Department of Rhône:

Alix, Anse, L’Arbresle, Les Ardillats, Arnas, Bagnols, Beaujeu, Belleville-en-Beaujolais, Belmont-d’Azergues, Blacé, Le Breuil, Bully, Chambost-Allières, Chamelet, Charentay, Charnay, Chasselay, Châtillon, Chazay-d’Azergues, Chénas, Chessy, Chiroubles, Cogny, Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, Dardilly, Denicé, Deux Grosnes (only the part corresponding to the territory of the former municipality of Avenas), Dracé, Emeringes, Fleurie, Fleurieux-sur-l’Arbresle, Frontenas, Gleizé, Juliénas, Jullié, Lacenas, Lachassagne, Lancié, Lantignié, Légny, Létra, Limas, Lozanne, Lucenay, Marchampt, Marcy, Moiré, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Morancé, Le Perréon, Pommiers, Porte des Pierres Dorées, Régnié-Durette, Rivolet, Sain-Bel, Saint-Clément-sur-Valsonne, Saint-Cyr-le-Chatoux, Saint-Didier-sur-Beaujeu, Saint-Etienne-des-Oullières, Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Saint-Jean-des-Vignes, Saint-Julien, Saint-Just-d’Avray, Saint-Romain-de-Popey, Saint-Vérand, Sainte-Paule, Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais, Sarcey, Taponas, Ternand, Theizé, Val d’Oingt, Vaux-en-Beaujolais, Vauxrenard, Vernay, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Ville-sur-Jarnioux, Villié-Morgon and Vindry-sur-Turdine (only the part corresponding to the territory of the former municipalities of Dareizé, Les Olmes and Saint-Loup)

— Department of Saône-et-Loire:

Aluze, Ameugny, Azé, Barizey, Beaumont-sur-Grosne, Berzé-la-Ville, Berzé-le-Châtel, Bissey-sous-Cruchaud, Bissy-la-Mâconnaise, Bissy-sous-Uxelles, Bissy-sur-Fley, Blanot, Bonnay, Bouzeron, Boyer, Bray, Bresse-sur-Grosne, Burgy, Burnand, Bussières, Buxy, Cersot, Chagny, Chaintré, Chalon-sur-Saône, Chamilly, Champagny-sous-Uxelles, Champforgeuil, Chânes, Change, Chapaize, La Chapelle-de-Bragny, La Chapelle-de-Guinchay, La Chapelle-sous-Brancion, Charbonnières, Chardonnay, La Charmée, Charnay-lès-Mâcon, Charrecey, Chasselas, Chassey-le-Camp, Château, Châtenoy-le-Royal, Chaudenay, Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Chenôves, Chevagny-les-Chevrières, Chissey-lès-Mâcon, Clessé, Cluny, Cormatin, Cortambert, Cortevaix, Couches, Crêches-sur-Saône, Créot, Cruzille, Culles-les-Roches, Curtil-sous-Burnand, Davayé, Demigny, Dennevy, Dezize-lès-Maranges, Donzy-le-Pertuis, Dracy-le-Fort, Dracy-lès-Couches, Epertully, Etrigny, Farges-lès-Chalon, Farges-lès-Mâcon, Flagy, Fleurville, Fley, Fontaines, Fragnes-La-Loyère (only the part corresponding to the territory of the former municipality of La Loyère), Fuissé, Genouilly, Germagny, Givry, Granges, Grevilly, Hurigny, Igé, Jalogny, Jambles, Jugy, Jully-lès-Buxy, Lacrost, Laives, Laizé, Lalheue, Leynes, Lournand, Lugny, Mâcon, Malay, Mancey, Martailly-lès-Brancion, Massilly, Mellecey, Mercurey, Messey-sur-Grosne, Milly-Lamartine, Montagny-lès-Buxy, Montbellet, Montceaux-Ragny, Moroges, Nanton, Ozenay, Paris-l’Hôpital, Péronne, Pierreclos, Plottes, Préty, Prissé, Pruzilly, Remigny, La Roche-Vineuse, Romanèche-Thorins, Rosey, Royer, Rully, Saint-Albain, Saint-Ambreuil, Saint-Amour-Bellevue, Saint-Boil, Saint-Clément-sur-Guye, Saint-Denis-de-Vaux, Saint-Désert, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, Saint-Gengoux-le-National, Saint-Germain-lès-Buxy, Saint-Gervais-sur-Couches, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Jean-de-Trézy, Saint-Jean-de-Vaux, Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune, Saint-Mard-de-Vaux, Saint-Martin-Belle-Roche, Saint-Martin-du-Tartre, Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu, Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay, Saint-Maurice-des-Champs, Saint-Maurice-lès-Couches, Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes, Saint-Rémy, Saint-Sernin-du-Plain, Saint-Symphorien-d’Ancelles, Saint-Vallerin, Saint-Vérand, Saint-Ythaire, Saisy, La Salle, Salornay-sur-Guye, Sampigny-lès-Maranges, Sancé, Santilly, Sassangy, Saules, Savigny-sur-Grosne, Sennecey-le-Grand, Senozan, Sercy, Serrières, Sigy-le-Châtel, Sologny, Solutré-Pouilly, Taizé, Tournus, Uchizy, Varennes-lès-Mâcon, Vaux-en-Pré, Vergisson, Vers, Verzé, Le Villars, La Vineuse sur Fregande (only the part corresponding to the territory of the former municipalities of Avenas Donzy-le-National, Massy and La Vineuse), Vinzelles and Viré

— Department of Yonne:

Aigremont, Annay-sur-Serein, Arcy-sur-Cure, Asquins, Augy, Auxerre, Avallon, Bazarnes, Beine, Bernouil, Béru, Bessy-sur-Cure, Bleigny-le-Carreau, Censy, Chablis, Champlay, Champs-sur-Yonne, Chamvres, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Charentenay, Châtel-Gérard, Chemilly-sur-Serein, Cheney, Chevannes, Chichée, Chitry, Collan, Coulangeron, Coulanges-la-Vineuse, Courgis, Cruzy-le-Châtel, Dannemoine, Deux Rivières, Dyé, Epineuil, Escamps, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Fleys, Fontenay-près-Chablis, Gy-l’Evêque, Héry, Irancy, Island, Joigny, Jouancy, Junay, Jussy, Lichères-près-Aigremont, Lignorelles, Ligny-le-Châtel, Lucy-sur-Cure, Maligny, Mélisey, Merry-Sec, Migé, Molay, Molosmes, Montigny-la-Resle, Montholon (only the part in the territories of the former municipalities of Champvallon, Villiers sur Tholon and Volgré), Mouffy, Moulins-en-Tonnerrois, Nitry, Noyers, Ouanne, Paroy-sur-Tholon, Pasilly, Pierre-Perthuis, Poilly-sur-Serein, Pontigny, Préhy, Quenne, Roffey, Rouvray, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, Saint-Cyr-les-Colons, Saint-Père, Sainte-Pallaye, Sainte-Vertu, Sarry, Senan, Serrigny, Tharoiseau, Tissey, Tonnerre, Tronchoy, Val-de-Mercy, Vallan, Venouse, Venoy, Vermenton, Vézannes, Vézelay, Vézinnes, Villeneuve-Saint-Salves, Villy, Vincelles, Vincelottes, Viviers and Yrouerre.

Labelling

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further condition

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition

a) Wines with the registered designation of origin may specify on their labels the name of a smaller geographical unit, provided that: — it is the name of a place in the land register; — it appears on the harvest declaration.

The name of the registered location appears immediately after the controlled designation of origin, and is printed in lettering no greater in both height and width than the letters in which the name of the controlled designation of origin is written.

b) The labels of wines entitled to the controlled designation of origin can mention the larger geographical entity ‘Vin du Beaujolais’, ‘Grand Vin du Beaujolais’ or ‘Cru du Beaujolais’.

The size of the letters for the broader geographical unit must not be larger, either in height or width, than two-thirds of 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-4a05d946-3b5f-4ba8-bce7-50d1821f3765

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