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

(2020/C 82/07)

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

‘Val de Loire’

Reference number PGI-FR-A1225-AM02

Date of communication: 19 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Vine varieties

In response to climate change and environmental and public health concerns, resistant varieties that are better adapted to the new climate conditions have been added to the specification. Those varieties have been chosen on the basis of their organoleptic qualities so as not to change the determining characteristics of the PGI. The following varieties have been added: Artaban N, Vidoc N, Cabernet Cortis N, Floreal B, Voltis B, Soreli B and Souvignier Gris B.

Point 7 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

2. Reporting requirements

The date by which a copy of the harvest or production declaration must be sent to the Management Body has been put back by 15 days to take account of actual practices and the date on which electronic harvest declarations are submitted.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3. Address

The address of the National Origin and Quality Institute (INAO) has been updated in the specification.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of product

Val de Loire

2. Geographical indication type

PGI - Protected Geographical Indication

3. Categories of grapevine products

1.Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The PGI ‘Val de Loire’ covers still red, rosé, white and vin gris wines.

The wines have an actual alcoholic strength by volume of ≥ 8,5 % vol in area B and ≥ 9 % vol in area C. After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the red wines must not exceed 12,5 %.

Malolactic fermentation must have finished when the red wines are released for consumption, except for ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new) wines.

The ‘Val de Loire’ PGI may be granted to wines which have been produced without any enrichment and have a total alcoholic strength by volume of between 15 % vol and 20 % vol, except for wines produced within the geographical area on parcels also planted with the Chenin B variety in the departments of Maine-et-Loire and Indre-et-Loire.

The other analytical characteristics are as laid down by EU legislation.

By way of derogation, the volatile acidity of white wines with a fermentable sugar content of ≥ 45 g/l is as laid down by joint order of the Minister for Consumer Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture.

The wines are characterised by the fruity aromas that are often present, although their intensity and nature vary depending on the grape varieties and technologies used. The winemaking methods used for the white, rosé and vin gris wines bring out their fruity and floral notes while preserving a certain freshness. For the red wines, the winemaking process produces a supple structure.

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) 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 grapes are harvested and PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are made and developed in:

— the following departments: Allier, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Sarthe, Vendée, Vienne;

— the following cantons in the department of Deux-Sèvres: Airvault, Argenton-les-Vallées, Bressuire, Celles-sur-Belle, Cerizay, Champdeniers-Saint-Denis, Chef-Boutonne, Coulonges-sur-l’Autize, Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, Lezay, Mauléon, Mazières-en-Gâtine, Melle, Ménigoute, Moncoutant, La Mothe-Saint-Héray, Niort-Est, Niort-Nord, Niort-Ouest, Parthenay, Prahecq, Saint-Loup-Lamairé, Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole-1, Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole-2, Saint-Varent, Sauzé-Vaussais, Secondigny, Thénezay, Thouars-1, Thouars-2.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Sauvignon gris G - Fié gris

Cot N - Malbec

Abouriou B

Gamay N

Cabernet franc N

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Egiodola N

Gamay de Bouze N

Gamay de Chaudenay N

Grolleau N

Grolleau gris G

Négrette N

Pinot noir N

Pineau d’Aunis N

Merlot N

Vidoc N

Artaban N

Cabernet cortis N

Chardonnay B

Chenin B

Folle blanche B

Melon B

Orbois B

Pinot blanc B

Pinot gris G

Floreal B

Voltis B

Soreli B

Souvignier gris Rs

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon blanc

Sacy B

8. Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of production comprises 14 departments in the Loire river basin, stretching from the Massif Central to the Loire estuary in the area around Nantes. From the ancient landscapes of the Armorican Massif in the Nantes and Anjou areas and the white chalk of Saumur and Touraine to the volcanic rocks of Monts d’Auvergne, the Loire flows through some very diverse soil geomorphologies. Overall, the climate of the Loire valley is temperate, with an oceanic influence in the region around Nantes and in Anjou, giving way to a continental influence in Touraine and a semi-continental influence in the Centre‐Loire Region. The vineyards benefit from regular rainfall throughout the year and mild temperatures with no extreme highs or lows. Although the climatic conditions and soil geomorphology are very diverse, its northern location and overall climate give the Loire valley as a whole a homogeneous character. Historically, vines were first planted by the Romans, mainly in the region around Nantes. Winegrowing really took off from the 5th century and flourished when Henry II, Count of Anjou, succeeded to the throne of England in 1154. The Loire was an excellent transport route, which encouraged the planting of vineyards along its banks and the trade in wines. The arrival of the railway at the beginning of the 19th century put the winegrowers of the Loire valley in competition with other French winegrowers, encouraging them to focus on quality. The ‘Vins de Pays’ wine classification was set up in 1968, and the Decree of 16 December 1981 saw the birth of a regional ‘Vin de Pays’ in the Loire river basin, namely ‘Vins de Pays du Jardin de la France’. By Decree of 12 May 2007, Loire valley wines ceased to be a mere historical identity and became a real geographical identity, with ‘Vins de Pays du Jardin de la France’ becoming ‘Vins de Pays du Val de Loire’. The annual production of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines has reached 400 000 hl in recent years and can be broken down into red, rosé and white. It is a prime location for white wines, which predominate, accounting for 53 % of the volume declared, while red and rosé wines account for 27 % and 20 % respectively. Almost 90 % of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are single variety, and the 24 varieties used are those traditionally grown in the region. PGI ‘Val de Loire’ is made from internationally known varieties, the main ones being Sauvignon B, Chardonnay B, Chenin B, Gamay N, Pinot noir N, Cabernet franc N and Cabernet-sauvignon N, and also from local varieties, such as Grolleau gris G, Grolleau N, Melon B and Pineau d’Aunis N. The quality and origin of the grapes are ensured by means of defined production conditions, precise analytical parameters and sensory testing. The white grape varieties, which mostly make dry wines, are characterised by their freshness and their delicate fruity and floral aromas. The rosé and vin gris wines are light and frisky, while the red wines are light in structure, sometimes full-bodied, and are characterised by their suppleness and freshness. PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines may also bear the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’, mainly when made from the varieties Sauvignon B et Gamay N. These wines are fresh and fruity, aromatic and light. Winemakers have been able to preserve the winegrowing tradition and identity of this region, where the climate along the Loire is ideal for vines. The region’s vineyards bear witness to the unchanging, age-old winegrowing practices that have been handed down through generations of winegrowers. The long-established reputation of ‘Val de Loire’ wines is also built on trade, facilitated in times past by navigation of the river Loire. The vine varieties used to make PGI ‘Val de Loire’ are well‐adapted to the diverse climates and soils of this vast region. Although the main focus has been on the production of white wines, the introduction of new varieties and the technological developments made by winegrowers have more recently favoured the production of red wines. Since their creation in 1981, the focus of the ‘Vins de Pays’ from the Loire valley has been on high-quality production and the professional training of producers. With 1 600 winegrowers, some 15 wine cooperatives and around 100 wine merchants, PGI ‘Val de Loire’ is of considerable economic importance to the Loire valley’s wine industry. The longstanding expertise in the art of winegrowing and winemaking that lies at the heart of these extensive, historic vineyards has made it possible to develop a substantial network of centres for scientific and technical research in this sector and higher education in the field of winegrowing. In return, the results of research and the level of training of professionals in the field have given PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines a boost. The development of wine tourism in this region, which has considerable historical heritage (with a large number of châteaux) and is classed as a UNESCO world heritage site, has helped to enhance the reputation of PGI ‘Val de Loire’.

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

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 and development of wines with the ‘Val de Loire’ Protected Geographical Indication, comprises the following districts bordering the geographical area:

— districts in the department of Mayenne: Château-Gontier, Laval, Mayenne

— districts in the department of Deux-Sèvres: Niort

Labelling rules

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The Protected Geographical Indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the following smaller geographical units: Allier, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Nièvre, Sarthe, Vendée, Vienne, Marches de Bretagne and Pays de Retz, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.

The size of the letters used for the smaller geographical units may not be larger, either in height or in width, than those used for the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Val de Loire’.

The Protected Geographical Indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’.

The Protected Geographical Indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the name of one or more grape varieties.

The names ‘Sauvignon’ and ‘Grolleau’ may be used on the label of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines to refer to wines produced from a blend of Sauvignon B and Sauvignon gris G grapes and wines produced from a blend of Grolleau N and Grolleau gris G grapes, respectively.

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-98dad001-e64f-42b0-93af-ba89e4bbafee

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