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 42/05)

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

‘Cabernet d’Anjou’

Reference number: PDO-FR-A1005-AM01

Date of communication: 14.11.2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Geographical area

The geographical area has been amended as follows: ‘All stages of production of wines eligible to benefit from the controlled designations of origin ... ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’ ... must take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

— department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Bouillé-Loretz, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay, Val-en-Vignes (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

— department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Blaison-Gohier and Saint-Sulpice), Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Les Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné, Montfort, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Les Cerqueux-sous-Passavant, La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné, Trémont and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire, La Pommeraye, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne), Parnay, Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saumur, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Ambillou-Château, Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay), Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Villevêque;

— department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

Maps showing the geographical area can be viewed on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).’

Editorial amendment: the new list of administrative entities takes into account any mergers or other changes in administrative boundaries that have occurred since the approval of the specification. To increase legal certainty, this list follows the current version of the Official Geographic Code, updated yearly by INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). The boundaries of the geographical area remain exactly the same.

Finally, in the interests of better public information, the product specification now states that maps of the geographical area can be found on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).

Point 6 of the Single Document on the geographical area has been amended accordingly.

2. Demarcated parcel area

In Chapter 1(IV)(2) of the product specification, the words ‘and 19 January 2017’ have been added after ‘5 September 2007’.

The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the competent national authority approved a modification of the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. The demarcated parcel area is the land within the geographical area that is suitable for growing the material for this Protected Designation of Origin.

In Chapter 1(IV)(2) of the product specification, the words ‘4 September 1996’ have been replaced by ‘4 and 5 September 1996’.

This amendment is a correction to the date of the national procedure during which this demarcated parcel area was approved.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

3. Area in immediate proximity

In Chapter 1(IV)(3), the list of municipalities has been replaced by:

— department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;

— department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

— department of Maine-et-Loire: Orée d’Anjou (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels), Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux.

This change takes into account the various mergers of municipalities that have occurred since the last version of the specification. The boundaries of the area in immediate proximity remain exactly the same.

Point 9 of the Single Document, ‘Further conditions’, has been amended accordingly.

4. Agri-environment rule

The following has been added to Chapter 1(VI)(2): ‘Managed plant cover, either natural or planted, is compulsory between rows. Where there is no such plant cover, operators must tend the soil to ensure that naturally occurring plant growth is managed. Otherwise, operators must provide justification for using bio-control products approved by the wine-growing authorities. Where bio-control herbicides are used on a land parcel, the use of other herbicides is not permitted.’

This amendment reflects current developments in the practices of operators promoting conservation agriculture throughout the vineyards of Anjou. It takes into account growing concern for the environment as part of technical procedures. By encouraging the existence of vegetation cover, or mechanised weeding, or even use of bio-control products, the amendment aims to reduce the use of chemical herbicides. The reduction in herbicides will certainly strengthen the defences of wine-growing soils and preserve their natural properties such as fertility, bio-diversity and self-cleaning. This will contribute to the quality and authenticity of the wines and strengthen the sense of terroir.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

5. Harvest proclamation

Under Chapter 1(VII)(1)(a) of the specification, the following sentence has been deleted: ‘The start date of the harvests is set in accordance with Article D. 645-6 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code’ has been deleted.

It is no longer necessary to set a start date for harvests as operators have a large selection of tools at their disposal to enable them to gauge the ripeness of the grapes with the greatest possible accuracy. All operators have access to various machines and equipment, both individually and collectively, enabling them to determine accurately the ideal start date for harvesting each parcel, depending on the production objectives.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

6. Sugar content

Under Chapter 1(IX)(c), the words ‘after fermentation’ have been added after ‘The wines have’.

This amendment was made to avoid any confusion with the sugar content before fermentation, as it is important to specify that this content must be verified after fermentation.

Point 4 of the Single Document has been amended accordingly.

7. Subtractive richness technique

The following paragraph has been added under point IX(1)(d): ‘In making ... rosé wines eligible to benefit from the controlled designation of origin ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’, subtractive richness techniques are permitted, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used.’

This amendment follows experimentation on several vintages, which demonstrated that with suitable raw material of good quality potential, a maximum concentration rate of 10 % and for enrichments limited to a total alcohol content of 15 % by volume, the reverse osmosis method does not have a negative effect on the wines. Subtractive richness techniques will allow readjustment of the composition of the musts in years where there are climate variations.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

8. Fermenting room capacity

Under Chapter 1(IX)(1)(a), the sentence: ‘All operators have a fermenting room capacity for producing wine equal to at least 1.4 times the holding’s average yield over the past five years.’ is replaced by: ‘All operators have a fermenting room capacity for producing wine equal to at least 1.4 times the average volume of wine produced over the past five years.’

The specification made reference not to a volume capacity (expressed in hectolitres or cubic metres) but to a yield, which is the harvest volume divided by the production area (expressed for example in hectolitres per hectare). The proposed amendment rectifies this incongruity concerning measurements without making any substantial changes (the minimum is still set at 1,4 times the average volume of wine produced by a holding over the previous years).

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

9. Circulation of wines

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

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

10. Link with the geographical area

The link has been revised in order to update the number of municipalities involved (70 instead of 126).

Point 8 of the Single Document, on the link with the geographical area, has been amended accordingly.

11. Transitional measure

The expired transitional measures have been deleted.

The following has been inserted under Chapter 1(XI): ‘The provisions relating to the requirement for managed plant cover, either natural or planted, between rows, along with the provisions relating to the requirement, in the absence of vegetation cover, for operators to tend the soil or use bio-control products to ensure that naturally occurring plant growth is managed, do not apply to vineyard parcels already in existence at the time of accreditation of this specification and in which the spacing between rows is less than or equal to 1,70 metres.’

The transitional measure avoids the need to penalise existing vineyards currently using a training method not adapted to the agri-environmental provisions. In densely planted vineyards, where the spacing between rows is less than or equal to 1,7 metres, maintaining permanent grass cover or attempting to work the soil could, in effect, cause technical problems with machinery, materials or tools, for example. In low-growing vines, grass cover actually increases the risk of spring frosts. Furthermore, the presence of vegetation cover significantly increases the pressure on the water supply to the vines in the more densely-planted vineyards. Nevertheless, any vines planted after the specification has been approved will have to comply fully with the new agri-environmental provisions, regardless of planting density and spacing between rows.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

12. Record-keeping

In Chapter 2(II)(3), the word ‘potential’ has been replaced by ‘natural’.

In line with all the other product specifications from the Anjou Saumur area, the terms ‘potential alcoholic strength’ or ‘alcohol content’ have been replaced with ‘natural alcoholic strength by volume’. These amendments improve the readability of the product specifications. The aim behind harmonising the rules on record-keeping is to facilitate the drafting of the inspection plan and aid checks on those records.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

13. Main points for checking

Chapter 3 has been revised to ensure consistency across the check-lists included in the different product specifications for Anjou Saumur wines.

The Single Document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Cabernet d’Anjou

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

These are still rosé wines with the following analytical characteristics:

The wines must have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %.

The fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) of the wines after fermentation must be at least 10 grams per litre.

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

The volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide content must be as established in EU legislation, but any batch of unbottled wine eligible to benefit from the terms ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new) must have a volatile acidity content of no more than 10,2 milliequivalents per litre.

The wines have fermentable sugars and varying levels of sweetness. Their intense aromatic expression reveals the specificity of the vine varieties. However, fruity notes are also very important (peach, strawberry, citrus, etc.). In the mouth, the flavour is a good balance between freshness and roundness. The aromas are intense and long-lasting.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Planting density – Spacing

Growing method

The minimum vine planting density is 4 000 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of these vines must not exceed 2,5 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre. The controlled designation of origin may be used for vineyard parcels with a density of fewer than 4 000 – but at least 3 300 – plants per hectare, subject to compliance with certain vine-training and foliage height rules laid down in the product specification. On such parcels, the rows may not be spaced more than 3 metres apart, and the plants making up a row must be spaced at least 1 metre apart.

Rules on vine pruning and training

Growing method

The vines must be pruned by 30 April using the rod and spur system, with a maximum of 12 buds on the cane.

The foliage on the trellis must reach a height of at least 0,6 times the distance between the rows. This height is measured as the distance between the lower limit of the foliage (which must be at least 0,4 metres above ground level) and the upper trimming limit (which must be at least 0,2 metres above the upper trellis wire).

In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3,300 but less than 4,000 plants per hectare, the following trellising rules apply: the minimum height of the trellising posts above the ground is 1,9 metres; there are four levels of trellising wires; the minimum height of the highest wire is 1,85 metres above the ground.

Irrigation

Growing method

Irrigation is prohibited.

Specific oenological practice

It is forbidden to use oenological charcoal, whether alone or mixed in preparations.

The use of wood chips is forbidden.

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

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

b. Maximum yields

69 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

All stages of production of wines eligible to benefit from the controlled designation of origin ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’ must take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

— department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Bouillé-Loretz, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay, Val-en-Vignes (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

— department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Machelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Blaison-Gohier and Saint-Sulpice), Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Les Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné, Montfort, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trêves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Les Cerqueux-sous-Passavant, La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné, Trémont and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire, La Pommeraye, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne), Parnay, Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saumur, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Ambillou-Château, Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon (territory formerly part of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay), Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Villevêque;

— department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

7. Main wine grapes

Cabernet-Sauvignon N

Cabernet Franc N

8. Description of the link(s)

Information on the geographical area

Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area spans two major geological formations where vineyards occupy most of the river catchment areas and some of the plains: in the west, the Precambrian and Paleozoic base rock is attached to the Armorican Massif; in the east, the Mesozoic and Cenozoic substratum of the Paris basin has covered the ancient base rock, This geological particularity distinguishes the western part of the geographical area, which is marked by the presence of shale deposits (mostly slate) and known locally as ‘Anjou noir’ or ‘black Anjou’, from the eastern part of the geographical area, which stands out for its chalky marl (Saumur) and is known locally as ‘Anjou blanc’ or ‘white Anjou’.

With historic links to the ancient province of Anjou, the geographical area in 2018 essentially covers the southern half of the department of Maine-et-Loire (70 municipalities) and the northern fringes of the departments of Deux-Sèvres (14 municipalities) and Vienne (9 municipalities).

The parcels specifically demarcated for harvesting grapes have soils that have developed from different geological formations. Although they differ significantly, they are generally poor soils with moderate water reserves. They also have good thermal properties.

The geographical area benefits from a temperate oceanic climate with temperature ranges that do not vary significantly, on the one hand because of the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, because of the role that the Loire and its tributaries play in temperature regulation. The fact that the vines are planted on hills is also a factor. We would also do well to mention the ‘douceur angevine’ (mildness of Anjou), an expression that is particularly apt in the winter, the long spring and autumn, and the frequent hot periods in summertime. The north-west/south-east facing slopes protect the vines from the westerly winds that often have a high moisture content. The geographical area therefore has limited irrigation and benefits from a foehn effect, sheltered from maritime mists by the higher slopes of Choletais and Mauges. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimetres, compared with 800 millimetres in Choletais.

Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

Vines are known to have been cultivated on a continuous basis in Anjou since the first century A.D.. It is excellent vine-growing country, as evidenced by these lines of a poem by Apollonius (sixth century): ‘Not far from Brittany is a town located on a rock with extensive plantations devoted to Ceres and Bacchus and a name, Andecavi (Angers), which is derived from the Greek place name. ‘Vine-growing developed in the Anjou area during the Middle Ages, under the auspices of the monasteries located on the banks of the Loire and around Angers. They became particularly renowned from the 7th and 8th century onwards. Thanks to the influence of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, wine from Anjou made its way to the most splendid tables.

Production developed significantly from the 16th century onwards with the arrival of Dutch merchants seeking wine for their country and colonies. The Dutch stocked up on the wines and trade was so brisk in the 18th century that the river Layon, which crosses the geographical area, was made navigable to make transportation easier. The great esteem in which Anjou wines were held meant that they were in high demand and various taxes were created (on wine in bulk, on crates, wholesale tax, retail tax, excise duty etc.). These taxes had negative consequences for trade. The havoc wrought by the War in the Vendée managed to ruin the vineyards. Prosperity reigned throughout the 19th century. In 1881, the vineyards covered a surface area of 45 000 hectares, of which 10 000 hectares remained in 1893 after the Phylloxera invasion.

The ‘Anjou’ region essentially owes it fame to the production of white wines made from the Chenin B variety. However, plantings of the Cabernet franc N variety and of Cabernet-Sauvignon N a little later on spread significantly after the Phylloxera crisis. In the early 20th century, wine-making efforts were mostly focused on making ‘rouget’, the local name for a light wine served in the cafés. This marked the first stage in the changes to the Anjou vineyards. Together with the Grolleau N and Grolleau Gris G varieties, which produce pale ‘clairet’ wines, complemented by the Gamay N and Pineau d’Aunis N varieties, they contributed towards the development of a significant production of emblematic rosé wines, well-known under the controlled designations of origin ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’ and ‘Rosé d’Anjou’. The second stage in this change was due to the expertise acquired by growers in managing this combination of vines. The monitoring and analysis of the best combinations of varieties and planting locations, the assessment of the potential offered by the vine harvests and the expertise acquired in wine-making techniques all led to the development of red wines from the 1960s onwards.

Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

The rosé wines have fermentable sugars and varying levels of sweetness. Their aromas are intense, each revealing the specific characteristics of the vine varieties. However, fruity notes are also very important (peach, strawberry, citrus, etc.). In the mouth, the flavour is a good balance between freshness and roundness. The aromas are intense and long-lasting.

Causal interactions

Still wines

The combination of the vineyards in the north with their specific landscape, notably mild climate, original geology and soil profile gives the wines a distinctive taste that stands out for its freshness.

The diversity of the vineyard locations with their varied geological and soil profiles means that producers have a choice of optimal conditions for each of the mandatory vine varieties to prosper. The winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards.

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

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

EU 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 production and ageing of wines eligible to benefit from the controlled designation of origin ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

— department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;

— department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

— department of Maine-et-Loire: Orée d’Anjou (formerly a territory belonging to the delegated municipality of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels), Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux.

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The controlled designation of origin may be followed by the term ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new), in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.

The size of the letters of optional terms whose use, under EU provisions, may be regulated by the Member States, must not be larger, either in height, width or thickness, than twice the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

The name of the controlled designation of origin may be followed by the geographical designation ‘Val de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification. The size of the letters of the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ may not be larger, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Wines eligible to bear the term ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new) must also state the vintage.

Wines may specify a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that: – it is a place name listed in the land registry; – it appears on the harvest declaration. The place name must be printed in letters no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-c7cad5d3-da9f-4088-aebd-c22f0626c5c3

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