Communication of the 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

(2020/C 78/03)

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

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Alpilles’

Reference number PGI-FR-A1197-AM01

Date of communication: 24 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1 Description of the wines

Section 3(3) of the specification for the PGI ‘Alpilles’ has been expanded to give a more detailed description of the colour and organoleptic characteristics of the different products.

These details are also included in the single document under ‘Description of the wines’.

2 Geographical area

The section on the geographical area has been expanded to specify exactly where the operations of harvesting the grapes and producing and developing the wines may take place, i.e. in which departments and which communes.

The grapes may be harvested only in certain communes in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône: Aureille, Barbentane, Boulbon, Cabannes, Châteaurenard, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Fontvieille, Graveson, Lamanon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Maillane, Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Mollégès, Mouriès, Noves, Orgon, Paradou, Plan d’Orgon, Rognonas, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Sénas, Tarascon and Verquières.

The wines may be made and developed within the following communes (the list includes some communes that are outside the grape-growing area):

Department of Bouches-du-Rhône:

The communes of Aureille, Barbentane, Boulbon, Cabannes, Châteaurenard, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Fontvieille, Graveson, Lamanon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Maillane, Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Mollégès, Mouriès, Noves, Orgon, Paradou, Plan d’Orgon, Rognonas, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Sénas, Tarascon and Verquières.

Department of Gard:

The communes of Beaucaire and Vallabrègues.

Department of Vaucluse:

The communes of Caumont-sur-Durance and Morières-lès-Avignon.

This new, expanded description of the geographical area has been included in the single document under ‘Demarcated geographical area’.

3 Main wine grape varieties

This point of the single document was checked following a problem with the entry on eAmbrosia. Chardonnay B, Pinot gris G and Pinot noir N were missing from the list because of an error but have now been added.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1 Name of product

Alpilles

2 Type of geographical indication

PGI – Protected Geographical Indication

3. Category of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wines

The protected geographical indication ‘Alpilles’ covers still red, rosé and white wines.

The threshold or limit values for total alcoholic strength, total acidity, volatile acidity and total sulphur dioxide are those laid down in EU legislation.

The red wines are dark in colour, reddish-purple with violet tints. They are always very harmonious and fragrant, with a full, generous structure that endows them with good ageing potential. Depending on the grape varieties used, they may possess different aromas – liquorice, red fruits (particularly raspberry) or spice – complemented by toasted notes. Their tannins are smooth and silky.

The white wines are notable for their green tint. They are fresh and tart, with an expressive nose and aromas of citrus fruit (notably citron), fresh plant matter or thiol. If aged in barrels, they may possess a rounder, more complex character, with honey and patisserie aromas.

The rosé wines are muted in colour, with pearly tints. They are aromatic, fine, and very supple; their mild acidity endows them with great balance. Depending on the grape varieties and the winemaking methods used, they may have nut or thiol aromas.

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. Winemaking 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

90 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The wines are made from grapes grown on parcels located within the following communes of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code:

Aureille, Châteaurenard, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Fontvieille, Lamanon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Mollégès, Mouriès, Noves, Orgon, Paradou, Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Sénas and Tarascon.

Wines covered by the ‘Alpilles’ geographical indication must be made and developed within the following communes, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code:

— Department of Bouches-du-Rhône:

— The communes of Aureille, Barbentane, Boulbon, Cabannes, Châteaurenard, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Fontvieille, Graveson, Lamanon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Maillane, Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Mollégès, Mouriès, Noves, Orgon, Paradou, Plan d’Orgon, Rognonas, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Sénas, Tarascon and Verquières.

— Department of Gard:

— The communes of Beaucaire and Vallabrègues.

— Department of Vaucluse:

— The communes of Caumont-sur-Durance and Morières-lès-Avignon.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Pinot gris G

Pinot noir N

Arinarnoa N

Chardonnay B

Alicante Henri Bouschet N

Aramon N

Aubun N - Murescola

Barbaroux Rs

Bourboulenc B - Doucillon blanc

Cabernet franc N

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Caladoc N

Carignan N

Carignan blanc B

Chasan B

Chenanson N

Chenin B

Cinsaut N - Cinsault

Clairette B

Cot N - Malbec

Counoise N

Egiodola N

Grenache blanc B

Grenache gris G

Grenache N

Macabeu B - Macabeo

Marsanne B

Marselan N

Merlot N

Mourvèdre N - Monastrell

Muscardin N

Muscat d’Alexandrie B - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains blancs B - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à petits grains rouges Rg - Muscat, Moscato

Muscat de Hambourg N - Muscat, Moscato

Nielluccio N - Nielluciu

Petit Manseng B

Petit Verdot N

Sauvignon gris G - Fié gris

Rosé du Var Rs

Roussanne B

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon blanc

Sciaccarello N

Semillon B

Syrah N - Shiraz

Tannat N

Tempranillo N

Tibouren N

Ugni blanc B

Vermentino B - Rolle

Viognier B

8 Description of the link(s)

Located in the north / north west of the department of Bouches du Rhône, in a triangle bordered by the Rhône to the west, the Durance to the east and the Crau to the south, the geographical area demarcated for the production of ‘Alpilles’ wines comprises 33 communes, the centremost of which, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, is internationally famous. The area forms a distinct geographical unit on either side of the Alpilles massif, a barrier of limestone or limestone-marl rock that stretches from east to west across the north of Bouches-du-Rhône for around 30 km. At the foot of the massif lie scree deposits, clustered in cones of rocky debris that are highly typical of the site. Surrounding the Alpilles are alluvial lands, some of which were formed from old riverbeds of the Rhône and its tributary, the Durance (area between Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Châteaurenard).

The vines are usually planted on very gravelly and highly porous limestone soils formed from these slope deposits. Located between the Rhône and the Durance, the beautiful landscape of the Alpilles is famous worldwide, and they are one of Provence’s major tourism and heritage sites.

The area has a Mediterranean climate; the summers are dry and the times of year when the seasons change are humid. Average temperatures are relatively mild, although large temperature variations are sometimes recorded. There are only between 70 and 80 days of precipitation a year, chiefly occurring in autumn but also to a lesser degree in spring. The Alpilles massif receives a considerable amount of sunshine.

The climate of the Alpilles is subject to a maritime influence from the south and a more continental influence from the Rhône valley to the north.

The mistral, a cold north-northwesterly wind channelled by the Rhône valley, hits the Alpilles with full force as it sweeps across Provence.

The vineyards of the Alpilles lie at the point where two major wine-producing areas meet: the Rhône valley and Provence. This has quite naturally had a significant influence, and the proportion of red wines produced is significantly higher than in other parts of Provence.

Thus, ‘Alpilles’ wines are made from a diverse and original selection of grape varieties. The white varieties include Roussanne B, Marsanne B and Viognier B, which are typical of the Rhône valley, as well as Provençal varieties, such as Vermentino B (or Rolle) or Clairette B, which broaden the range of wines.

As for red or coloured grape varieties, Syrah N and Grenache N are very widespread but there is also a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that has adapted particularly well to the natural environment of the Alpilles. The list also includes red varieties traditionally grown in Provence, such as Carignan N, Cinsaut N and Counoise N.

Legislation permits expansion of the range of grape varieties used in making ‘vins de pays’. This has allowed varieties from other winemaking regions to be introduced, such as Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, as well as varieties created specifically by INRA (the French National Institute for Agricultural Research) for Mediterranean climates, such as Chasan, Marselan and Caladoc.

The red wines are fragrant, with a full, generous structure. The white and rosé wines are aromatic, fine and very supple, with low acidity.

The wine is sold mainly by direct sale via the extensive network of private wine cellars and the cellars of the area’s two co-operatives. The producers are constantly striving to increase the quality of their wines and establish the reputation of PGI ‘Alpilles’ wines as high-end wines.

Around 20 000 hl of ‘Alpilles’ wine are sold each year. The proportion of wine types produced differs from the rest of Provence, consisting of nearly 50 % red wines and only 40 % rosé, the remainder being white wines.

The winemaking methods used extend slightly beyond the area in which the grapes are grown. The combination of methods inspired by the Rhône valley (for red wines) and Provence (for rosé wines), allied to the use of vine varieties planted in well-drained, sunlit, gravelly limestone soils frequently swept by the mistral wind, which keeps the grapes in sound condition and allows the vineyards to be farmed in an environmentally friendly way, has resulted in the production of wines with specific connotations. Owing to the considerable amount of sunshine and the moderate yields obtained from the generally poor soils of the grape-growing area, the grapes ripen very well and can be harvested relatively early. This endows the wines with their typical characteristics, both physical (the colour) and organoleptic (the rich fragrance of the white, rosé and red wines, the tartness of the whites, and the ageing capacity and silky tannins of the reds).

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

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

The protected geographical indication ‘Alpilles’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new).

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-0dbb32de-7b87-4ed7-aad0-8779d1c7c207

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