Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the 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 183/05)

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

‘PUISSEGUIN SAINT-EMILION’

PDO-FR-A0992-AM03

Date of communication: 9.3.2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Geographical area

There is no longer any reference to cadastral sections in the description of the geographical area. A reference to the Official Geographic Code has been added.

The amendment merely changes the wording and has no impact on the geographical area.

Point 1.6 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

2. Area in immediate proximity

The area in immediate proximity has been amended to correct an oversight. When the municipalities of Puisseguin and Monbadon were merged, the part corresponding to the latter was not included in the area in immediate proximity. A reference to the Official Geographic Code has been added.

Point 1.9 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

3. Circulation between authorised warehouses

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter 1 on the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

4. References to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording used in other product specifications. It is a purely formal amendment which does not lead to any changes to the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

These are strong and round red wines, mainly from Merlot N grapes, with a deep colour and intense aromas of red fruit that become more complex with ageing.

Ageing in barrels, which is often practised, sometimes brings out vanilla and roasted notes that enrich the wines’ aromatic palette and structure.

The wines have:

— a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %

— a total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment of 13,5 %

— a malic acid content not exceeding 0,3 g/l

— a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 3 g/l. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum total acidity in milliequivalents per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,26 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 140

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

— Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %.

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

Training of the vines

Cultivation method

The minimum vine planting density is 5 500 plants per hectare.

The spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 2 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,5 metres.

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 aimed at spreading growth on a single trellising plan with sufficient aeration, while also limiting the number of bunches:

— single or double Guyot;

— spur (or short) pruning (Cordon de Royat or fan pruning);

— shoot (or long) pruning.

Each plant has a maximum of 12 buds.

Under no circumstances may the canes overlap.

Irrigation

Irrigation during the vine growing season is only permitted in cases of persistent drought and if drought is disrupting the sound physiological development of the vines and the ripening of the grapes.

5.2. Maximum yields

Red wine

65 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged in the part of the municipality of Puisseguin, department of Gironde (based on the Official Geographic Code of 26 February 2020), corresponding to its territory before it was merged with the municipality of Monbadon on 1 January 1989 (by prefectoral order of 10 November 1988).

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

8. Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of ‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ AOC is located within the municipality of Puisseguin, limited to the part that made up its territory before it was merged with Monbadon in 1989. It is situated in the north-east of the department of Gironde, 48 kilometres north-east of Bordeaux and 10 kilometres north-east of Saint-Emilion, in the Libourne winegrowing region.

‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ winegrowing parcels, at the confluence of the Isle and the Dordogne, have predominantly limestone and clay-limestone soils.

Bordering the Atlantic, the Gironde region has a temperate maritime climate with moderate temperature variations, which makes it suitable for winegrowing. In the geographical area, located in the north-east of Gironde, temperatures in summer and autumn are higher due to continental influences, which favours the ripening of the grapes. The maritime climate is unpredictable with periods of rain and low pressure in autumn or, conversely, hot and very sunny late seasons, depending on the year. This creates a notable ‘vintage effect’.

This land is ideal for the Merlot N grape variety. It particularly appreciates the cool, damp clay soils, where it ripens well.

The other varieties are grown on slightly warmer, sandy-gravelly or sandy-clayey soils, or on well-exposed clay-limestone soils.

The area’s maritime climate, tending towards continental (hot summers, long and mild autumns, mild and generally dry winters), favours a slow ripening of the grapes.

The demarcated parcel area comprises parcels with good drainage, either due to the texture of the soils or due to their position on a hilltop or slope. Parcels with mainly hydromorphic soils, or limestone and silt soils that are impermeable at a shallow depth, are excluded from the winegrowing area. The same applies to parcels on the valley floor with soils showing signs of hydromorphy that are exposed to the risk of spring frost.

The precisely defined parcels ensure optimum development of the local vine varieties which have been selected over time for their keeping and ageing qualities, allowing the wines to be transported over long distances.

To ensure a sufficient harvest the planting density is high, but without overloading the vines on soils known for their production potential. This ensures optimum ripeness and just the right concentration of berries. Generalised trellising, combined with strict pruning and a ban on overlapping canes, ensure a well-distributed grape harvest and a sufficient canopy for photosynthesis, helping the grapes to ripen.

To ensure a healthy harvest, any underripe, damaged or diseased fruit must be eliminated through sorting.

The wines are aged at least until the spring of the year following the harvest. This is necessary to stabilise, refine and enhance the qualities of the wine before it is placed on the market and sold to the consumer.

Wines with the ‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ designation are strong and round red wines, mainly from Merlot N grapes, with a deep colour and intense aromas of red fruit that become more complex with ageing.

In blends, the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties add freshness and structure, enhancing the wines’ ageing potential and aromatic complexity.

Ageing in barrels, which is common, sometimes brings out vanilla and roasted notes that enrich the wines’ aromatic palette and structure.

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

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ AOC wines may specify on their labels the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’. The size of the letters for the larger geographical unit must not be greater, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

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 making, developing and ageing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 26 February 2020: Abzac, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Castillon-la-Bataille, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lussac, Montagne, Néac, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Pomerol, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Médard-de-Guizières, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Tayac and Vignonet, and part of the territory of the municipalities of Puisseguin (limited to the area making up its territory before it was merged with the municipality of Monbadon on 1 January 1989) and Libourne (limited to the area south of the Capelle stream and its extension up to byway 28, as far as the Dordogne and the Bordeaux-Bergerac railway).

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-1d2d5602-00ca-4647-86d6-77e59174e42c

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