Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2020/C 94/05)

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

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Vinsobres’

Reference number: PDO-FR-A0690-AM02

Date of communication: 8 January 2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Demarcated parcel area

The date of 19 June 2019 has been added to point IV(2) of the specification relating to areas and places in which the various operations are conducted. The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the relevant national authority approved a change to the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Parcel demarcation involves identifying parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the controlled designation in question.

This amendment does not affect the single document.

2. Vine varieties

The rules on the proportion of red varieties do not apply to producers producing grapes who do not make wine from their own production and whose holdings within the demarcated parcel area for the controlled designation of origin ‘Vinsobres’ cover a total area of less than 1.5 ha.

This amendment to the specification does not affect the single document.

3. Irrigation

Irrigation is authorised in accordance with the national rule laid down in Article D. 645-5 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code. This is provided for in point VI of the specification relating to the tending of vineyards.

The ban on using fixed irrigation equipment within the parcels has been removed.

Where irrigation is authorised, the average maximum crop load per irrigated parcel is set at 5 000 kg/ha instead of 7 000 kg/ha so as not to cause an increase in the wine yield.

These amendments to the specification do not affect the single document.

4. First production of young vines

The date of first production of young vines is brought forward to the third year after the year of planting instead of the seventh year (second instead of the sixth year for grafted vines) in order to allow new planting and a more rapid renewal of the vineyard.

This amendment to the specification does not affect the single document.

5. Link with the geographical area

The link with the geographical area has been supplemented by a reference to the compulsory ageing period for wines. The following sentence has been added to the paragraph on causal interactions: ‘The characteristics of these concentrated wines are reinforced and stabilised by ageing until at least 15 March of the year following the harvest. ’

The single document has been supplemented to clarify this point in the section ‘Link with the geographical area’.

6. Date of circulation of wines

The date of 1 December of the harvest year, from which the wines could be moved between authorised warehouses or traders, laid down in point IX of the specification concerning processing, developing, ageing, packaging and storage of wine has been deleted.

Removing that restriction allows wines to move between the different categories of operators in the geographical area and area in immediate proximity before being placed on the market.

This amendment to the specification does not affect the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Vinsobres

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The protected designation of origin ‘Vinsobres’ may only be used for still red wines. The wines are made mainly from the Grenache N, Mourvèdre N and Syrah N varieties.

They are concentrated and have an intense smell. The nose is marked by notes that are fruity (fresh fruit) in young wines and later acquires more intense nuances of candied fruit, spirit, spices (pepper) and seasonings.

The wines are particularly well balanced in the mouth. They are structured and full-bodied, with silky and elegant tannins. The fruity aromas are long-lasting and intense. The characteristics of these concentrated wines are reinforced and stabilised by ageing until at least 15 March of the year following the harvest. Ageing confers vanilla, roasted and smoked notes on the wine.

These wines have an intense red colour and a rich and complex nose. They are balanced, harmonious and suitable for ageing.

The wines must have the following analytical characteristics:

— Malic acid content < or = 0,4 g/l; Modified colour intensity > or = 8; Total polyphenols index > or = 52;

— Fermentable sugar content < or = 3 g/l for wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume < or = 14 %.

— Fermentable sugar content < or = 4 g/l for wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume of > 14 %.

The other analytical criteria are in line with EU rules.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) 14,5 Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 12,5 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 14,28 Maximum total sulphur dioxide content (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

— Any heat treatment of the grape harvest at a temperature above 40 °C is prohibited;

— The use of wood chips is prohibited;

In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

Growing method

Spacing between plants

— The distance between the rows must not exceed 2,50 m;

— The area available for each plant must not exceed 2,5 m2. This surface area is calculated by multiplying the spacing between rows by the spacing between plants;

— The spacing between plants in the same row ranges from 0,80 m to 1,20 m.

Pruning of vines

— The vines are pruned short (using the ‘Gobelet’ or ‘Cordon de Royat’ method), with a maximum of six spurs;

— Each spur has a maximum of two buds;

— The period for establishing the ‘Cordon de Royat’ for all vine varieties grown using this method is limited to two years. During this period, Guyot pruning is authorised, either using the ‘single Guyot’ method, with a maximum of eight buds on the cane and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds on each spur, or the ‘double Guyot’ method with a maximum of six buds on each cane and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds on each spur.

Irrigation may be authorised.

b. Maximum yields

42 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged on the territory of the municipality of Vinsobres in the department of Drôme.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Grenache N

Syrah N - Shiraz

Mourvèdre N - Monastrell

8. Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of the controlled designation of origin ‘Vinsobres’ is located in the department of Drôme at the heart of the Miocene sedimentary basin in Valréas and the colluvial-alluvial basin in Aygues, which is a Mediterranean mountain stream that has been carrying coarse detrital material from the Alpine slopes for millions of years.

This has created a hilly terrain that reaches an altitude above 500 metres and is oriented towards the north-east/south-west. Terraces or moderately inclined, south-facing slopes rise in tiers at the foot of the hills.

The local Mediterranean climate is characterised by two rainy seasons (the first one in the autumn and the second one from March to May) and by two dry periods (from January to February and, in particular, in July). The average annual temperature is 12,7 °C. The Mistral, a northern wind, plays a significant role in the environment of this region. It is true that this wind has a drying effect, but it also naturally limits the development of cryptogamic diseases. Furthermore, a dry climate in the summer ensures that the grapes ripen well. The drying effect of the Mistral also helps concentrate the various elements of the grapes.

The soils are generally stony and have a red to brown colour, which, together with the topography, gives them a good calorific value that promotes the early growth of the plant.

Irrigation is ensured by the very nature of the soils in combination with the climate and favours the regular production of highly expressive red wines. The correct balance of these factors leads results in a low yield, with the raw material being concentrated in all its elements (grape quality).

The homogeneity and shared identity of the wines produced testify to their distinctiveness, which is linked to the geographical area and acknowledged through the recognition of a ‘municipal’ controlled designation of origin. The distinctiveness stems from the particular interaction between the natural factors and know-how developed over time by the community of producers in this municipality.

The winemakers’ expertise, which enables them to carefully select parcels intended for harvesting grapes by optimising the exposure of their vineyards, makes it possible to limit the effects of altitude.

Consequently, despite the annual variations in climate, the above factors together ensure that the harvest is fully ripe and that powerful, concentrated wines are produced that can be kept for a medium-long to long time. The characteristics of these concentrated wines are reinforced and stabilised by ageing until at least 15 March of the year following the harvest.

The correct balance of all these factors contributes to obtaining red wines that have an intense colour and a rich and complex nose and that are balanced, harmonious and suitable for ageing.

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

Labelling a smaller geographical entity

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The labels of wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin may bear the name of a smaller geographical entity, provided that:

— it is a registered location;

— it appears on the harvest declaration.

Labelling a larger geographical entity

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The labelling of wines with the protected designation of origin may specify the larger geographical unit ‘Cru des Côtes du Rhône’ or ‘Vignobles de la Vallée du Rhône’.

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, development and ageing of wines, comprises the territory of 36 municipalities of the department of Drôme and 48 municipalities of the department of Vaucluse.

— Department of Drôme: Aubres, La Baume-de-Transit, Bouchet, Chamaret, Chantemerle-lès-Grignan, Châteauneuf-de-Bordette, Clansayes, Colonzelle, Condorcet, Donzère, La Garde-Adhémar, Les GrangesGontardes, Grignan, Mérindol-les-Oliviers, Mirabel-aux-Baronnies, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, Montaulieu, Montbrison-sur-Lez, Montségur-sur-Lauzon, Nyons, Le Pègue, Piégon, Les Pilles, Rochegude, Roche-SaintSecret-Béconne, Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues, SaintPantaléon-les-Vignes, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Saint-Restitut, Solérieux, Suze-la-Rousse, Taulignan, Tulette, Valaurie, Venterol;

— Department of Vaucluse: Avignon, Beaumes-de-Venise, Bleedades, Bollène, Buisson, Cairanne, Camart-sur-Aigues, Caut-sur-Durance, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Mondragon, Morères-lès-Avignon, Mornas, Les risques, Roaix, La Roque-Alric, Sablet, Sainte-Cécil-les-Avignon, Saint-Marcelln-les-Avignon, Sarrans, Suzette, Travailan-du-Comtat, Sorgues, Suzette, Travailan-du-Comtat, Sorgues, Suzette, Travailan-du-Comtat, Sorgues, Suzette, Travailan-du-Comtat, Sorgues, Suzette, Travailan-du-Comtat, Sorgues, Suzette, Travailans, Vacqueyras, Veison-la-Romaine, Vacqueyras, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas, Vedene, Villedieu, Violès, Visuan.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-dddce4c8-b45c-443d-9853-598c16610d06

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