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 88/12)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Bordeaux supérieur’

PDO-FR-A0306-AM06

Date of communication: 26 November 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Official Geographic Code

The list of municipalities has been updated on the basis of the Official Geographic Code (code officiel géographique).

The boundaries of the area remain unchanged.

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

2. Demarcated parcel area

The date on which the parcel areas of the municipalities of Saint-Estèphe, Pomerol and Libourne were approved – 3 June 2021 – has been added in the Annex.

The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the relevant national authority approved changes to 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 wines covered by the protected designation of origin.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3. 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 merely changes the wording and does not require any amendments to the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Bordeaux supérieur

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected designation of origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. Still white wines with fermentable sugars

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The still white wines have:

— a natural alcoholic strength of ≥ 12 %

— a fermentable sugar content of > 17 g/l.

Prior to packaging, they have:

— a volatile acidity of ≤ 13,26 meq/l

— a total SO2 content of ≤ 260 mg/l.

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume is ≤ 15 %.

The white wines with fermentable sugars are based on the Sémillon B variety, which gives round, generous wines with a golden colour and aromas of candied fruit, sometimes blended with Sauvignon B or Muscadelle B to add freshness. The wines are suited to ageing (for 4 to 8 years) and have aromas, often floral, of honey and spices.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 18 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 300

2. Still red wines

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The still red wines have:

— a natural alcoholic strength of ≥ 11 %

— a fermentable sugar content of ≤ 3 g/l

— a malic acid content of ≤ 0,3 g/l.

Prior to packaging, they have:

— a volatile acidity of ≤ 13,26 meq/l

— a total SO2 content of ≤ 140 mg/l.

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume is ≤ 13,5 %.

The red wines, mostly a blend of the red vine varieties Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc, are round, generous and structured. The young wines generally develop aromas of fresh and candied red fruit that often evolve into notes of spices and cooked fruit with ageing.

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) 20 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 150

5. Winemaking practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Planting density – Spacing

Cultivation method

The minimum planting density of the vines is 4 500 plants per hectare (for parcels planted as from 1 August 2008). The spacing between vine rows must not exceed 2.20 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0.85 metres.

This density may be reduced to 3 300 plants per hectare. In that case, the spacing between vine rows must not exceed 3 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.

2. Pruning rules

Cultivation method

Only spur (short) pruning and shoot (long) pruning are allowed. For the Merlot N, Semillon B and Muscadelle B vine varieties, the number of buds when pruning must not exceed 40 000 per hectare and 17 per plant. For the other varieties, including Cabernet Franc N, Cabernet Sauvignon N, Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G, the number of buds when pruning must not exceed 45 000 per hectare and 19 per plant. After debudding, the number of fruit-bearing branches per plant must not exceed:

— for the Merlot N, Sémillon B and Muscadelle B grape varieties, 11 branches per plant if the vine planting density is 4 500 plants per hectare or more, and 14 branches per plant if the vine planting density is less than 4 500 plants per hectare;

— for the other varieties, including Cabernet Franc N, Cabernet Sauvignon N, Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G, 13 branches per plant if the vine planting density is 4 500 plants per hectare or more, and 16 branches per plant if the vine planting density is less than 4 500 plants per hectare. Pruning is carried out at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest. Debudding is carried out prior to fruit setting.

3. Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

After enrichment, the red wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13,5 %. After enrichment, the white wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 15 %.

Enrichment by partial concentration is permitted for the red wines, subject to a 15 % concentration limit for the volumes enriched using this method.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. Still white wines with fermentable sugars

60 hectolitres per hectare

2. Still red wines – vine planting density ≥ 4 500 plants/ha

66 hectolitres per hectare

3. Still red wines – vine planting density ≥ 4 000 plant/ha and < 4 500 plants/ha

55 hectolitres per hectare

4. Still red wines – vine planting density ≥ 3 300 plant/ha and < 4 000 plants/ha

50 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, processed and aged in the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2021: Abzac, Aillas, Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Ambès, Anglade, Arbanats, Arcins, Arsac, Artigues-près-Bordeaux, Arveyres, Asques, Aubiac, Auriolles, Auros, Avensan, Ayguemorte-les-Graves, Bagas, Baigneaux, Barie, Baron, Barsac, Bassanne, Bassens, Baurech, Bayas, Bayon-sur-Gironde, Bazas, Beautiran, Bégadan, Bègles, Béguey, Bellebat, Bellefond, Belvès-de-Castillon, Bernos-Beaulac, Berson, Berthez, Beychac-et-Caillau, Bieujac, Birac, Blaignac, Blaignan-Prignac, Blanquefort, Blasimon, Blaye, Blésignac, Bommes, Bonnetan, Bonzac, Bordeaux, Bossugan, Bouliac, Bourdelles, Bourg, Branne, Brannens, Braud-et-Saint-Louis, 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, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Castelviel, Castets et Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille, Castres-Gironde, Caudrot, Caumont, Cauvignac, Cavignac, Cazats, Cazaugitat, Cénac, Cenon, Cérons, Cessac, Cestas, Cézac, Chamadelle, Cissac-Médoc, Civrac-de-Blaye, Civrac-sur-Dordogne, Civrac-en-Médoc, Cleyrac, Coimères, Coirac, Comps, Coubeyrac, Couquèques, Courpiac, Cours-de-Monségur, Cours-les-Bains, Coutras, Coutures, Créon, Croignon, Cubnezais, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Cudos, Cursan, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Daignac, Dardenac, Daubèze, Dieulivol, Donnezac, Donzac, Doulezon, Escoussans, Espiet, Etauliers, Eynesse, Eyrans, Eysines, Faleyras, Fargues, Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, Flaujagues, Floirac, Floudès, Fontet, Fossés-et-Baleyssac, Fours, Francs, Fronsac, Frontenac, Gabarnac, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Gajac, Galgon, Gans, Gardegan-et-Tourtirac, Gauriac, Gauriaguet, Générac, Génissac, Gensac, Gironde-sur-Dropt, Gornac, Gours, Gradignan, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, Grézillac, Grignols, Guillac, Guillos, Guîtres, Haux, Hure, Illats, Isle-Saint-Georges, Izon, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Jugazan, Juillac, La Brède, La Lande-de-Fronsac, La Réole, La Rivière, La Roquille, La Sauve, Labarde, Labescau, Ladaux, Lados, Lagorce, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lamarque, Lamothe-Landerron, Landerrouat, Landerrouet-sur-Ségur, Landiras, Langoiran, Langon, Lansac, Lapouyade, Laroque, Laruscade, Latresne, Lavazan, Le Bouscat, Le Fieu, Le Haillan, Le Nizan, Le Pian-Médoc, Le Pian-sur-Garonne, Le Pout, Le Puy, Le Taillan-Médoc, Le Tourne, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Léogeats, Léognan, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Les Billaux, Les Eglisottes-et-Chalaures, Les Esseintes, Les Lèves-et-Thoumeyragues, Les Peintures, Les Salles, Lesparre-Médoc, Lestiac-sur-Garonne, Libourne, Lignan-de-Bazas, Lignan-de-Bordeaux, Ligueux, Listrac-de-Durèze, Listrac-Médoc, Lormont, Loubens, Loupes, Loupiac, Loupiac-de-la-Réole, Ludon-Médoc, Lugaignac, Lugasson, Lugon-et-l’Ile-du-Carnay, Lussac, Macau, Madirac, Maransin, Marcenais, Margaux-Cantenac, 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, Moulis-en-Médoc, Moulon, Mourens, Naujac-sur-Mer, Naujan-et-Postiac, Néac, Nérigean, Neuffons, Noaillac, Noaillan, Omet, Ordonnac, Paillet, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Pellegrue, Périssac, Pessac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Peujard, Pineuilh, Plassac, Pleine-Selve, Podensac, Pomerol, Pompéjac, Pompignac, Pondaurat, Porchères, Porte-de-Benauge, Portets, Préchac, Preignac, Prignac-et-Marcamps, Pugnac, Puisseguin, Pujols, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Puybarban, Puynormand, Queyrac, Quinsac, Rauzan, Reignac, Rimons, Riocaud, Rions, Roaillan, Romagne, Roquebrune, 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-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Avit-de-Soulège, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Brice, Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Christophe-de-Double, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac, Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, Sainte-Colombe, Saint-Côme, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Saint-Denis-de-Pile, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Sainte-Eulalie, Saint-Exupéry, Saint-Félix-de-Foncaude, Saint-Ferme, Sainte-Florence, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Longue, Sainte-Gemme, 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-d’Esteuil, Saint-Germain-du-Puch, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Girons-d’Aiguevives, Sainte-Hélène, Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille, Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-d’Arce, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Laurent-du-Plan, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, 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-Médard-en-Jalles, 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, Sainte-Radegonde, Saint-Romain-la-Virvée, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Sauveur-de-Puynormand, Saint-Savin, Saint-Selve, Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, 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, Sainte-Terre, Saint-Trojan, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, Saint-Vivien-de-Blaye, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Vivien-de-Monségur, Saint-Yzan-de-Soudiac, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Salaunes, Salleboeuf, Samonac, Saucats, Saugon, Sauternes, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Sauviac, Savignac, Savignac-de-l’Isle, Semens, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulac-sur-Mer, Soulignac, Soussac, Soussans, Tabanac, Taillecavat, Talais, Talence, Targon, Tarnès, Tauriac, Tayac, Teuillac, Tizac-de-Curton, Tizac-de-Lapouyade, Toulenne, Tresses, Uzeste, Val-de-Livenne, Val de Virvée, Valeyrac, Vayres, Vendays-Montalivet, Vensac, Vérac, Verdelais, Vertheuil, Vignonet, Villandraut, Villegouge, Villenave-de-Rions, Villenave-d’Ornon, Villeneuve, Virelade, Virsac and Yvrac.

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Carmenère N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

Muscadelle B

Petit Verdot N

Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris

Semillon B

8. Description of the link(s)

The Bordeaux vine varieties, grown in a maritime climate, have needed support poles (‘échalas’) since the 17th and 18th centuries, followed by widespread trellising to ensure a well-distributed grape harvest and sufficient leaf area for proper chlorophyll synthesis and optimum ripeness. The various types of soils and exposures have led to different varieties being selected and adapted according to the characteristics of the environment; this explains the historical focus on blended wines. Four distinct types can be identified:

— clay-limestone and marly-limestone soils, which are very widespread on the slopes of the hillsides ideal for the Merlot N variety;

— siliceous soils mixed with clays and calcareous elements that are perfect for the Merlot N and Sauvignon B varieties, for example;

— leached soils (‘boulbènes’) with fine siliceous elements, which are lighter soils suitable for the production of white wines;

— gravelly soils made up of gravel, water-worn quartz and relatively coarse sands forming well-drained terraces that are warm and ideal for growing vines, in particular Cabernet Sauvignon N.

The ‘Bordeaux supérieur’ protected designation of origin meets requirements the producers have set for themselves over the years as compared to those of the ‘Bordeaux’ designation in terms of planting density (which is higher), pruning techniques (the number of buds is lower) and maximum crop load per parcel (which is smaller). These production conditions allow more concentrated wines to be produced, whose minimum sugar content and minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume are higher than is the case for the ‘Bordeaux’ protected designation of origin. Both the red and the white ‘Bordeaux supérieur’ PDO wines have a particular style. They are distinguished by their harmony, elegance, rich aromas and good balance, qualities that make them suited to ageing and that are derived, among other things, from a diverse biophysical environment, the vine varieties used, the way in which the vines are tended and the winemaking process. Bordeaux’s port and close historical ties with other nations soon gave rise to strong and structured trade, and the region’s vineyards have always been oriented towards the rest of the world. Able to both benefit from and spread technical innovations, the holdings’ dynamism was boosted, allowing them to strengthen, develop and export knowhow, always in line with age-old practices. The marriage in 1152 of Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, to Henry Plantagenet, the future king of England, paved the way for extensive trade. The English exported food, textiles and metals and imported Bordeaux wines. In the 17th century, a new commercial era began with the emergence of new consumers. Exports continue to account for a large part of the sales of Bordeaux wines, and the expertise, image and reputation associated with ‘Bordeaux supérieur’ PDO wines, two thirds of which are still bottled at the winery, are thus spread across the world too. The wines have a more complex structure than ‘Bordeaux’ PDO wines and can be aged for longer, up to 5 or 6 years.

9. Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in immediate proximity, defined by derogation for making, processing and ageing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2021:

— Department of Dordogne: Le Fleix, Fougueyrolles, Gageac-et-Rouillac, Gardonne, Minzac, Pomport, Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt, Razac-de-Saussignac, Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh, Saint-Seurin-de-Prats, Saussignac, Thénac and Villefranche-de-Lonchat.

— Department of Lot-et-Garonne: Baleyssagues, Cocumont, Duras, Esclottes, Loubès-Bernac, Sainte-Colombe-de-Duras, Savignac-de-Duras and Villeneuve-de-Duras.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Wines with this protected designation of origin may specify the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’ on their labels. The size of the letters used for this broader geographical unit must not be larger, in either height or width, than two thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-354b6f94-55e6-43d7-b232-33022fa4b246

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