Publication of an application for amendment of a specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council

(2020/C 412/15)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within 2 months from the date of this publication.

REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

‘Coteaux du Libron’

PGI-FR-A1146-AM02

Date of application: 2 December 2015

1. Rules applicable to the amendment

Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 – Non-minor amendment

2. Description of and reasons for amendment

2.1. Amendment of the name

The name of the ‘Coteaux du Libron’ PGI has been amended to ‘Coteaux de Béziers’. This application has been submitted to the French authorities by the ‘Syndicat des vins de pays des coteaux du Libron’, which is the applicant group under Article 95 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. The geographical reference ‘Libron’ is little known (the Libron is a coastal river in the department of Hérault), and the group wishes to replace it by referring instead to the town of Béziers, which forms part of the geographical area of production.

The name ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ could already be used in addition to the ‘Coteaux du Libron’ PGI as an optional labelling term, as permitted by Article 120(1)(g) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.

The specification has accordingly been amended as follows:

— in the title and the body of the text, the name ‘Coteaux du Libron’ has been replaced by the name ‘Coteaux du Béziers’,

— the third paragraph of point 2 of Chapter 1 has been deleted: this point authorised the use of ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ as an additional labelling term, but this is no longer appropriate in view of the amendment of the name,

— the third paragraph of point 4.1 of Chapter 1 has been deleted: this point defined the area covered by the smaller ‘Coteaux du Béziers’ geographical unit, which has been withdrawn,

— the description of the specificity of the geographical area, product and causal link between the two in point 7 of Chapter 1 of the specification has been revised.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Coteaux de Béziers

2. Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected geographical indication

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Red ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines

The ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ protected geographical indication is reserved for still wines.

The red wines are made mainly from the Grenache, Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet-Sauvignon varieties as single-varietal wines or blends between two varieties. Their colour ranges from deep ruby red to garnet with purple tints. The main aromas are of red and black fruits which develop into minor notes of mint, liquorice and spices. The wines’ smoothness on the palate is marked by aromas of mainly red fruit, with a final balance between firm tannins and a fruity roundness.

For the analytical criteria other than the minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume, the wines meet the limits laid down by the EU rules.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 9 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

Rosé ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines

The ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ protected geographical indication is reserved for still wines.

The rosé wines are made mainly from the Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah varieties, either as single-varietal or as blended wines. They range from pale pink to salmon pink in colour. They are subtle on the nose, with aromas of small red fruit and amylic notes. On the palate they are tender, velvety and round, thirst-quenching and appetising.

For the analytical criteria other than the minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume, the wines meet the limits laid down by the EU rules.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 9 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

White ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines

The ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ protected geographical indication is reserved for still wines.

The white wines are made as single-varietal wines or blends between Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Viognier, Vermentino, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc varieties. They are clear, golden yellow in colour with green tints. They are characterised by a dominance of exotic and citrus fruit aromas. They are lively and balanced wines with a nice freshness in the mouth.

For the analytical criteria other than the minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume, the wines meet the limits laid down by the EU rules.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 9 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

All winemaking practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

b. Maximum yields

110 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The harvesting of the grapes and the production and development of wines bearing the ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI must take place in the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Hérault:

Bassan, Béziers (excluding the areas AI, AH, AK, AL, AM, AV, AW, AX, AY, AZ, BC, BD (left bank of the Lirou), BM, BN, BT and BV), Boujansur-Libron, Cers, Corneilhan, Lieuran-lès-Béziers, Lignan-sur-Orb, Pailhès, Portiragnes, Sauvian, Sérignan, Servian (area C1), Thézan-lès-Béziers (left bank of the Orb), Valras, Vendres (the entire municipality excluding the area BR), Vias and Villeneuve-lès-Béziers.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Alicante Henri Bouschet N

Altesse B

Alvarinho - Albariño

Aramon N

Aramon blanc B

Aramon gris G

Aranel B

Arinarnoa N

Arriloba B

Arvine B - Petite Arvine

Aubin B

Aubin vert B

Aubun N - Murescola

Auxerrois B

Bourboulenc B - Doucillon blanc

Cabernet franc N

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Caladoc N

Carignan N

Carignan blanc B

Carmenère N

Chardonnay B

Chasan B

Chenanson N

Chenin B

Cinsaut N - Cinsault

Clairette B

Clairette rose Rs

Colombard B

Cot N – Malbec

Egiodola N

Fer N - Fer Servadou, Braucol, Mansois, Pinenc

Gamay N

Ganson N

Gewurztraminer Rs

Grenache N

Grenache blanc B

Grenache gris G

Gros Manseng B

Jurançon blanc B

Jurançon noir N - Dame noire

Lledoner pelut N

Macabeu B - Macabeo

Manseng noir N

Marsanne B

Marselan N

Maréchal Foch N

Mauzac B

Mauzac rose Rs

Melon B

Merlot N

Merlot blanc B

Meunier N

Mondeuse N

Mondeuse blanche B

Morrastel N - Minustellu, Graciano

Mourvèdre N - Monastrell

Muscadelle B

Muscardin N

Muscat cendré B - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat d'Alexandrie B - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat de Hambourg N - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains blancs B - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains roses Rs - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains rouges Rg - Muscat, Moscato

Müller-Thurgau B

Nielluccio N - Nielluciu

Négrette N

Parrellada B

Petit Manseng B

Petit Verdot N

Picardan B - Araignan

Pinot blanc B

Pinot gris G

Pinot noir N

Piquepoul blanc B

Piquepoul gris G

Piquepoul noir N

Plant droit N - Espanenc

Portan N

Riesling B

Rivairenc N - Aspiran noir

Roussanne B

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon blanc

Sauvignon gris G - Fié gris

Savagnin rose Rs

Sciaccarello N

Semillon B

Sylvaner B

Syrah N - Shiraz

Tannat N

Tempranillo N

Terret blanc B

Terret gris G

Terret noir N

Ugni blanc B

Verdelho B

Vermentino B - Rolle

Viognier B

8. Description of the link(s)

Specificity of the geographical area

The geographical area in which ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines are produced comprises 17 municipalities in the department of Hérault, including the town of Béziers as its geographical centre. The vineyards are situated mainly between two coastal rivers flowing from the Cévennes foothills to the Mediterranean: the Libron, which has shaped a landscape characterised by small hills topped with pine trees, and the Orb, overlooked by Béziers Cathedral, the emblem on the PGI logo.

The marl and limestone colluvium covering the northern part of the area were formed during the Tertiary era (the Miocene Basin of Hérault). In the south, alluvial deposits from the Quaternary era are dominant, in particular in the form of terraces from the Villafranchian age. The sandy soils formed from ‘Corneilhan sands’ cover a large area owing to a remarkable geological formation reaching a thickness of up to 40 m. This diversity of soil conditions gives rise to an adaptation potential for a wide range of grape varieties.

The area benefits from a Mediterranean climate conducive to wine-growing thanks to its hot and dry summers and mild winters, with two rainy periods in autumn and spring. Temperatures are high enough throughout the growing period of the vines to ensure a good ripening of grapes. In the part of the area close to the sea, the sea wind has a moderating influence in times of hot weather. Rainfall can vary between 400 mm and 800 mm over the area, meaning that particular attention must be paid to choosing grape varieties according to their resistance to drought.

The area forms a corridor between two rivers made up of well-drained land suitable for vines, opening onto the Mediterranean Sea and benefiting from a mild, temperate climate. The economic and agricultural development of the Béziers district forming part of the area covered by the Coteaux de Béziers PGI is based on the convergence of land and river trade routes.

Specificity of the product

Greeks, Romans, Gauls and Cathars were able to maintain and increase the growing of vines that has existed since time immemorial in the region. The expertise in growing vines acquired over the centuries has allowed the production of a range of red, rosé and white wines, but also of sweet wines, including ‘Catharoise de Béziers’ (made from grapes of the ‘Picardin’ variety, the former name of Cinsault), without forgetting spirits made from Terret-Bourret. The still wines of the Béziers district underwent genuine renewal after the phylloxera crisis, which only partially affected the area. Béziers wine experienced its peak in the second half of the nineteenth century. The establishment of large landowners of estates covering several dozens of hectares, the influx of workers and the railway link made Béziers the self-proclaimed ‘world capital of wine’.

After 1950, a period of decline in wine consumption began. A considerable effort was thus made by vine-growers in Languedoc to adapt their vineyards towards producing vines with lower yields and wines that were better suited to consumer tastes.

The production of ‘vins de pays’, launched in the 1970s, was recognised by decree in 1982 and is growing quickly. At present, the production of ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines is shared between 5 cooperative cellars and 15 individual cellars. Depending on the personal choice of each producer, marketing under the ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI is focused in varying proportions on the following two types of wine:

— wines made from a blend of grape varieties that are traditional for the region, such as Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, and with renowned varieties originating in other wine-growing regions,

— ‘varietal’ wines obtained from a single variety, mainly Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay or Sauvignon.

Thanks to a mastery of blending these different varieties, the wines produced on the Coteaux de Béziers slopes express all the character of the land suitable for growing wines and the production of red, white or rosé wines. As a result of their high-quality products, ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ vineyards have proved to be resilient over time in meeting the needs and demand of consumers and traders. This resilience has led to a genuine wine-growing tradition around Béziers.

The red wines have characteristics of primary aromas, with fruity notes predominating. The tannins are soft and fine, the structure can be light or more consistent, but it is always accompanied by roundness, especially at the end, and is gentle and not too astringent.

The rosé wines are of a pale salmon pink colour. The fruity nose, the pleasant roundness in the mouth and the thirst-quenching effect make them an attractive product for consumers.

The white wines also develop primary aromatic notes dominated by fruit. Their balance comes from having sufficient acidity that is appropriate for the concentration of the wine, resulting in freshness in the mouth.

Causal link between the specificity of the geographical area and the specificity of the product

In the last few decades, the ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ independent cooperatives and vine-growers have created a fresh momentum.

The hot and dry Mediterranean climate, combined with the agro-pedological impact of the two coastal rivers on either side of a corridor opening onto the Mediterranean, forms an area of well-drained land suited to the growing of diverse grape varieties characterised primarily by their fruitiness.

The Libron has shaped a characteristic landscape of small hills topped with pine trees (known in Languedoc as ‘les Soubergues’) on which red wine varieties are generally planted, which can also be used to produce deep rosé wines. On the other side, the Orb river, overlooked by Béziers Cathedral, the emblem on the PGI logo, has over the centuries created more fertile land suited to the production of white and some light red wines.

It is this specific diversity of the agro-pedological conditions that brings out the full potential of grape varieties and gives rise to wines characterised by round and concentrated aromas.

Wines produced under the PGI are characterised by a high proportion of rosé wines, almost equalling the production of red wines. The market prospects are encouraging even greater production of these rosé wines, which make for pleasant drinking.

The municipalities of the nearby Béziers district are essentially geared towards wine-growing, although tourism and local culture (beaches, heritage sites, the ‘Féria de Béziers’) provide a good opportunity to promote the wines produced and ensure that they become identified with the local area, as ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI wines indeed are. The regular sale of a significant proportion of the wines produced to customers abroad (in the Benelux countries, Germany and the United Kingdom) is evidence of the reputation of the ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ PGI. Wine-growers are also involved in organising local festive activities. These help to create and maintain the reputation and strong link between wine and society in the Béziers district.

The ‘Musée du Biterrois’, established in 1834, presents human history and development in the Béziers region, bearing witness to the inextricable link between that region and wine-growing. A large section of the Museum is devoted to vines and wine and to the lives of the many coopers and potters who have settled there (amphorae enabled wine to be transported to Rome and the provinces).

This link between tourism and wine-growing is the cornerstone of the reputation of ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ wines.

Vines are an essential element of life in the Béziers district and have guided and continue to guide the development of the area.

9. Essential further conditions

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 development of wines bearing the ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ protected geographical indication, comprises the district of Béziers.

Terms used on the labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The protected geographical indication ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ may be supplemented by the name of one or more wine grape varieties.

The protected geographical indication ‘Coteaux de Béziers’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’.

The European Union PGI logo must appear on the label if the words ‘Indication géographique protégée’ (protected geographical indication) are replaced by the traditional term ‘Vin de Pays’.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-5c95eaef-900f-4ec5-b542-c3e7389e557b

(1) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.