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 514/06)

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

COMMUNICATION OF STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Muscadet’

PDO-FR-A0497-AM02

Date of communication: 15 October 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Addition of Chardonnay

Chardonnay has been added as a secondary variety that may account for a maximum of 10 % of the variety mix used to produce ‘Muscadet’.

The Chardonnay variety has been present in the Nantes wine-growing area for several decades. It was introduced following tests which showed that there is no difference between wine made exclusively from the Melon variety and wine made from a blend of 90 % Melon and 10 % Chardonnay. ‘Muscadet’ wines are renowned as fresh, young wines with primary aromas. The inclusion of Chardonnay adds value to the production of this type of floral-scented wine.

As a new variety (Chardonnay) has been introduced, a rule on blending has been added specifying that Chardonnay may account for a maximum of 10 % of the blend.

Point 1.7 of the single document has been amended.

2. Removal of the term ‘aged on the lees’

‘Muscadet’ wines may no longer be labelled as ‘aged on the lees’ (‘sur lie’).

Each point of the specification setting out specific provisions regarding the term ‘aged on the lees’ has therefore been amended.

In the past, the ‘Muscadet’ name was recognised after ‘Muscadet Sèvre et Maine’, ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’ and ‘Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire’, which refer to smaller sub-regions. Over time, a hierarchy of names was established under which the sub-regional types were expected to have a longer period of ageing, resulting in rounder wines. The production of ‘Muscadet’ labelled as ‘aged on the lees’ therefore dwindled and today accounts for only a fraction of the total. The term ‘aged on the lees’ denotes a wine-making technique which gives the wine certain characteristics that are no longer in demand for ‘Muscadet’ as a regional designation. The term is therefore removed for ‘Muscadet’ in the interests of greater clarity for consumers regarding the various wines on offer.

Points 1.4 and 1.9 of the single document have been amended.

3. Planting density

The planting density has been reduced to 5 000 vines per hectare. The maximum spacing between rows has been increased to 2,20 metres.

This amendment takes account of developments in wine-making equipment and practices. The spacing between rows is increased to encourage the use of agri-ecological practices such as inter-row seeding and tillage and the use of recovery sprayers for plant health treatments, all of which involve standard wine-growing equipment designed for a spacing between rows of 2 metres. This vineyard configuration is well adapted to the yield and quality levels sought for the type of wine covered by the designation (fruity and fresh wine to be enjoyed young).

Point 1.5 of the single document, on wine-making practices, has been amended accordingly.

4. Link

The description of the link with the environment has been amended to reflect the adjusted planting density, the addition of Chardonnay and the removal of the term ‘aged on the lees’.

Point 1.8 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Muscadet

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected designation of origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

These are still, dry white wines.

They have:

— a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 9,5 %;

— a maximum fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of 5 grams per litre;

— a maximum volatile acid content of 10 milliequivalents per litre;

— a maximum total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment of 12 %;

— a total acidity content of between 61 milliequivalents and 112 milliequivalents per litre for wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of between 3 grams and 5 grams per litre.

The wines’ total sulphur dioxide content and the total acidity content of wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of less than 3 grams per litre, as well as the wines’ total actual alcoholic strength, must comply with the thresholds laid down in EU legislation. These are still, dry white wines.

They have delicate aromas, mostly fruity or floral, and a sensory balance dominated by freshness.

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) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Planting density and pruning

Cultivation method

The minimum planting density is 5 000 vines per hectare.

The spacing between the rows is 2,20 metres or less, and the spacing between vines in the same row is between 0,90 metres and 1,10 metres.

The vines are pruned to a maximum of 14 buds per plant:

— either by spur pruning with a maximum of five spurs per plant;

— or by means of single or double Guyot.

Pruning is carried out before the budding stage, or Stage 5 on the Eichhorn-Lorenz scale.

Regardless of the pruning method, the vines can be pruned to four additional buds per plant on condition that, at the phenological stage corresponding to 11 or 12 leaves, there are no more than 14 fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant.

2. Specific oenological practice

Any heat treatment of the harvested grapes at a temperature below -5 °C is prohibited.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12 %.

The wines must be separated from the wine-making lees no later than on 31 July of the year following the harvest. In addition to the above, the oenological practices for these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. 83 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

All stages of the production must take place within the geographical area approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality at the meeting of the relevant national committee on 15 June 2017. The perimeter of this area, on the date of approval of this specification by the relevant national committee, comprises the following municipalities or parts of municipalities, based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine, Ancenis, Basse-Goulaine, Le Bignon, La Boissière-du-Doré, Bouaye, Brains, Carquefou, Le Cellier, La Chapelle-Heulin, Château-Thébaud, La Chevrolière, Clisson, Corcoué-sur-Logne, Couffé, Divatte-sur-Loire, Geneston, Gétigné (partly), Gorges, La Haie-Fouassière, Haute-Goulaine, Le Landreau, Legé (partly), Ligné (partly), La Limouzinière, Le Loroux Bottereau, Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, Mauves-sur-Loire, Monnières, Montbert, Mouzillon, Oudon, Le Pallet, La Planche, Pont-Saint-Martin, Port-Saint-Père, La Regrippière, La Remaudière, Remouillé, Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu, Saint-Colomban, Sainte-Pazanne, Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Saint-Géréon, Saint-Hilaire-de-Clisson, Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, Saint-Léger-les-Vignes, Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson, Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais, Saint-Mars-de-Coutais, Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, Les Sorinières, Thouaré-sur-Loire, Vair-sur-Loire, Vallet, Vertou, Vieillevigne (partly), Villeneuve-en-Retz (delegated municipality of Bourgneuf-en-Retz only) (partly).

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Mauges-sur-Loire (delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil only), Orée d’Anjou (delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne only), Sèvremoine (delegated municipalities of Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine and Tillières only).

— Department of Vendée: Cugand (partly), Rocheservière, Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay (partly), Saint-Philbert-de-Bouaine.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Chardonnay B

Melon B

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Specificity of the geographical area

(a) Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The landscape of the geographical area is characterised by slopes and hillocks planted with vines alternating with valleys of wooded meadows. The most scenic spots are home to old mills or country houses (known as ‘folies nantaises’) built on the outskirts of Nantes in the 18th century by the local aristocracy or bourgeoisie. The vineyards are located mainly on hillsides south and east of the city of Nantes, on the banks of the Loire, Sèvre and Maine, the Goulaine marshes, the Grandlieu Lake and their tributaries. Located near the shores of the Atlantic, the geographical area has historical links with Brittany and is geographically linked to the Loire Valley, covering part of the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire and Vendée.

The area benefits from a maritime climate, characterised by low annual temperature variations, due to the proximity of large bodies of water (the ocean, the Loire estuary, Lake Grandlieu and the Goulaine marshes). Temperatures are particularly mild in winter, while the sea breezes mean that summers remain cool. During the vine’s growing season rainfall is rather scarce, with plenty of sunshine for this latitude, although there are sometimes heavy rain showers during the high tides of autumn.

The geographical area is geologically complex. In the Precambrian and Paleozoic eras, orogenesis led to the formation of plutonic rock (granite, gabbro) and metamorphic rock (gneiss, mica schist, eclogite, amphibolite). Locally, this bedrock is covered by tertiary sediments (clay and pebbly sand). Wind-blown silts deposited in the region in the Quaternary era are generally scoured by erosion. Despite this geological diversity, the soils that have formed on these layers are mostly healthy brown, sandy soils that are rich in pebbles. The well-established parcel area where the grapes are harvested follows the contours of hillsides forming open landscapes mainly or traditionally planted with vines. The parcels have well-filtered soils with a good heat-retaining capacity, a limited water-holding capacity and moderate chemical fertility.

(b) Description of the human factors relevant to the link

Winegrowing in the ‘Muscadet’ AOC geographical area dates back to the first centuries AD.

As a seaport on the Loire estuary, Nantes soon established itself as an important hub from which wines were shipped to the British Isles and northern Europe. Various documents testify to the wines’ growing renown during the Middle Ages. The vineyards around Nantes gradually started specialising in the production of white wines and spirits, driven in particular by trade with Holland. Taxation rules encouraged the planting of vines, as Brittany wines were taxed at half the rate of those made further upstream the Loire River.

The wine-growing area really earned a name for itself with the development of the Melon B variety. The first written records of the name ‘Muscadet’ being used for this ‘Burgundy plant’ date back to the mid-17th century. After the harsh winter of 1709, which largely destroyed the Nantes vineyards, the region’s best locations were mostly replanted with the Melon B variety, which is more resistant to frost. The 1793 counter-revolutionary wars, during which vineyards were devastated, followed by the phylloxera crisis starting in 1884, merely delayed the expansion of winegrowing.

The restoration of vineyards by grafting provided an opportunity to adapt traditional growing methods to new techniques (planting in rows, Guyot pruning). Production know-how was consolidated through use of the Melon B variety, maintaining a high planting density, checking the vines’ growth and limiting their yield, and harvesting the grapes once fully ripened. Following regulation through case-law in the 1920s, these practices were validated by the recognition, in 1936, of the ‘Muscadet Sèvre et Maine’ and ‘Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire’ AOCs, followed by ‘Muscadet’ in 1937.

A technical wine-making process involving early separation of the wine from the lees was gradually established by the winegrowers to distinguish wines bearing the regional ‘Muscadet’ AOC from those named ‘Muscadet Sèvre et Maine’, ‘Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire’ and ‘Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu’, which refer to smaller winegrowing areas within that region.

8.2. Specificity of the product

‘Muscadet’ AOC wines are still, white wines. They develop their main characteristics during the wine-making stage and are distinguished by fine, delicate aromas, mostly fruity or floral, and a sensory balance dominated by freshness.

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

In his Étude des vignobles de France (Study of vineyards in France), Volume II, Paris, 1876, Jules Guyot wrote that ‘the Loire-Inférieur [as Loire-Atlantique was then called] has excellent soil and a wonderful climate’. Indeed, the geographical area benefits from soils well suited to winegrowing, combined with a climate that allows white grape varieties to express their aromatic character. Specifically, the coarse texture of the soils ensures an early start to the vine’s growth cycle as well as checking its growth. The mild winters also contribute to early ripening, with the summer sun and sea winds keeping the plants healthy. Furthermore, the soil of the geographical area has low water reserves and fracturing allowing the plants to grow deep roots as well as providing them with a regular, moderate supply of water that ensures good ripening.

Heirs to an age-old wine-growing tradition, producers in the geographical area have for over three centuries reserved the best slopes for growing the Melon B variety. They have optimised their wine-making practices to ensure a harvest of healthy, ripe grapes, with a subtle balance between richness and acidity that is reflected in the wines. Made in line with local custom, the wines are kept on their fine wine-making lees for a short period. The mild summer temperatures are ideal for preserving the freshness and delicate aromas that characterise the wines.

The short period of ageing and early separation from the wine-making lees enhance the fruity and floral scents that develop under the action of the yeasts during alcoholic fermentation.

Since the mid 20th century, ‘Muscadet’ has been a household name in France, where brand recognition and market penetration currently put wines with this AOC in second place among white wines. Exports picked up again during the 1980s and now account for almost 40 % of the volumes sold. Tourism has played an important part in this, as the wine-growing area is located close to the seaside and the wines go well with seafood and fish. In terms of its area in production, the ‘Muscadet’ wine-growing area is one of the world’s largest for white wines.

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

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

EU 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 and processing the wines and for making, processing, ageing and bottling wines that may be labelled ‘aged on the lees’ comprises the following municipalities or parts of municipalities, based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code:

— Department of Loire-Atlantique: La Bernerie-en-Retz, Bouguenais, Boussay, Chaumes-en-Retz, Chauvé, Cheix-en-Retz, Frossay, Gétigné (partly), Legé (partly), Ligné (partly), Loireauxence (delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Sauveur and Varades only), Machecoul-Saint-Même, La Marne, Mésanger, Montrelais, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Paulx, Le Pellerin, Pornic, Rezé, Rouans, Saint-Étienne-de-Mer-Morte, Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, Saint-Père-en-Retz, Saint-Viaud, Touvois, Vieillevigne (partly), Villeneuve-en-Retz (delegated municipalities of Bourgneuf-en-Retz (partly) and Fresnay-en-Retz only), Vue.

— Department of Maine-et-Loire: Beaupréau-en-Mauges (delegated municipalities of Beaupréau and Gesté only), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (delegated municipality of Fresne-sur-Loire only), Mauges-sur-Loire (delegated municipality of Marillais only), Montrevault-sur-Èvre (delegated municipalities of La Boissière-sur-Evre, La Chaussaire, Le Fief Sauvin, Le Fuilet, Montrevault, Le Puiset-Doré, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart and Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges only), Orée d’Anjou (delegated municipalities of Saint-Christophe-la-Couperie, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and Saint-Sauveur-de-Landemont only), Sèvremoine (delegated municipalities of Montfaucon-Montigné and Saint-Germain-sur-Moine only).

— Department of Vendée: Cugand (partly), Montaigu, Saint-Étienne-du-Bois, Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay (partly).

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The name ‘Muscadet’ may be followed by the term ‘primeur’ (‘early’) or ‘nouveau’ (‘new’) in accordance with the specific rules laid down in the product specification.

The name ‘Muscadet’ may be followed by the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ in accordance with the specific rules laid down in the product specification.

The words ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’ and the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ must appear in letters smaller than or the same size (in height, width and thickness) as those in which the name ‘Muscadet’ AOC is written.

For wines labelled ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’, the vintage must also appear on the label.

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-7f89900b-3f0e-4f8d-b028-4066234091f5

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