Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on protected geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Date: 2008-02-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, designation of origin, grape, labelling, location of production, mode of production, product designation, product quality

16.2.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 43/31

OTHER ACTS

COMMISSION

Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC)
indications and protected designations of origin for
No 510/2006 on protected geographical

agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2008/C 43/11)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation
(EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date
of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Amendment application pursuant to Article 9 and Article 17(2)

‘CHASSELAS DE MOISSAC’ or ‘CHASSELAS DORÉ DE MOISSAC’ or ‘MOISSAC’

EC No: FR/PDO/117/0140/02.10.2003

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

Amendments(s) requested

1. Heading(s) in the specification:

X Name of product

X Description of product

Geographical area

X Proof of origin

X Method of production

Link

X Labelling

X National requirements

2. Amendment(s):

‘Chasselas de Moissac’. The name chosen is the one which is most frequently used and is the

Name:
most well-known.

The same product can therefore no longer be presented under different names, which avoids confusion
for the consumer.

Description: Fresh or long-life table grape. The bunch is supple, homogenous in its density, and golden
in colour, with a minimum length of 12 cm and a minimum weight of 100 grammes. The grapes must
not be deformed, unripe, rotting or diseased. The bloom of the grapes is preserved, the seeds are
discernible against the light, and the stem is turgescent.

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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The sugar content is equal to or above 160 g/l, except in exceptional climatic conditions where, for a
given harvest, this index can be lowered provided that it is no lower than 150 g/l. The maturity is
considered to be affected where the sugar to acidity ratio is equal to or above 25.

It is compulsory for the bunches to be prepared, and for the grapes to be cut from them and packaged.

The product description has been both simplified and made more specific in order to avoid the most
subjective terms, and this reduces interpretation risks.

Proof of origin: The grapes are monitored from their harvest to when they are packaged.

The grapes come solely from plots of land for vine cultivation which are identified, within the geogra-
phical area, by INAO (Institut National des appellations d'origine — National Institute for Designations of
Origin) and independent experts. These vines must respect geo-pedo-climatic criteria relating to the
location of the plots of land. All vines which meet these requirements are registered by INAO.

Only grapes which come from these vines may lay claim to the designation.

Moreover, each producer fills in an annual declaration of suitability and sends it to INAO. The declara-
tion contains an undertaking to comply with the conditions of production for the designation, and
contains the references of the plots of land intended for production of ‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’ for
the harvest in question.

This document allows the plots of land involved in the production of AOC for the harvest to be identi-
fied and their agronomic yield in particular to be monitored.

Each producer must keep a daily record of the grapes entering the bunch cutting and packaging work-
shop and the packaged grapes leaving it. The record contains details of the volumes harvested and the
corresponding plots of land, with separate details of those put into long-term storage, the number of
packages packaged by type of package, those coming out of long-term storage, and the numbers of the
identification marks used. This record is made available to the controlling bodies.

With regard to the product, analytical and organoleptic examinations are carried out on samples taken
from the packaged batches. Their purpose is to ensure the quality and typical features of the products
intended to be marketed under the ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ designation.

An identification mark, specific to ‘Chasselas de Moissac’, and approved by INAO, identifies all packa-
ging in which the grapes are marketed.

Method of production: The grapes, which come from identified plots of land for vine cultivation, are
harvested, prepared and packaged in the geographical area.

Only the variety Chasselas B is authorised. The vines are trained using a single or double trellis system.
For reasons of quality, each time new planting takes place, the density and distance are adjusted
according to the method of training (minimum density of 3 300 vines/ha and maximum distance of
3 metres between rows for the single trellis system, minimum density of 2 500 vines/ha and maximum
distance of 3,5 metres between rows for the double trellis system). The methods for implementing the
density and distance must follow the requirements contained in Article 5 of the decree concerning
‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’.

The authorised methods of cutting are single and double Guyot pruning. The number of buds per
hectare must not exceed 55 000 for the single trellis system and 60 000 for the double trellis system.
The ‘placing of the bunches’, which consists of arranging the bunches on the vine so that they are free
and aired, is compulsory. It allows an optimum maturity for the grapes.

Young vines can only lay claim to producing grapes suitable for the designation of origin from the
2nd year after that in which planting has taken place prior to 1 August.

Non-fertilising irrigation is authorised from the time of setting.

The yield for the identified plots of land intended for the production of ‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’ is
set at two levels (holding and plots of land): total average maximum yield for the holding: 14 t/ha;
AOC average maximum yield for the holding: 13 t/ha; total maximum yield for the plot of land:
16 t/ha. However, for a given harvest, in exceptional climatic conditions, the total maximum yield for
the plot of land may be modified provided it does not exceed the cut-off yield of 18 t/ha and without
modifying the average yields for the holding. In no event can this derogation be added to that relating
to sugar level for the same marketing year.

The harvesting is carried out manually in several stages.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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The grapes may be put into long-term storage, after the removal of the grapes spoilt in harvesting, and
transported quickly to the place of storage in containers which allow the characteristics of the product
to be preserved. These grapes, which are not cut from the bunch, are then cooled rapidly upon their
arrival at the place of storage before being put into long-term storage hermetically sealed in a cold
chamber subject to a controlled atmosphere, temperature and hygrometry. These grapes may no longer
be placed on the market with the registered designation of origin ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ after 31 January
of the year following that of the harvest.

The grapes, including those intended for long-term storage, are transported between the vine from
which they are harvested and the bunch cutting and packaging workshop under conditions which
allow optimum preservation of the characteristics of the product and, in particular, the bloom of the
grapes.

The bunches, including those coming out of long-term storage, are prepared in the bunch cutting and
packaging workshop. The bunch is delicately cut in order to eliminate any unclean grapes. The
prepared bunches of grapes must comply with the description of the grape.

Each producer must have a bunch cutting and packaging workshop and, if required, the necessary
equipment for putting the grapes into long-term storage if this practice is used.

Once cut, the bunches are packed immediately in clean packaging in order to preserve the characteris-
tics and quality of the product. The grapes are therefore handled as little as possible.

All these provisions on the one hand specify the realisation of practices which existed before and which
had not been codified until now, and, on the other hand, reflect the wishes of the applicant group to
provide more details where the specifications of the designation are inadequate.

Labelling: The labelling on the unit packages comprises:

— the name of the protected designation of origin ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ written in characters of a

dimension at least equal to those of the largest characters,

— the words ‘Appellation d'origine contrôlée’ (protected designation of origin) or the letters ‘AOC’

(PDO),

— the name of the producer.

Each unit package has an identification system, including a serial number, which is approved by INAO
and distributed by a body approved by this institute. This identification system can act as a labelling
aid.

In addition to the label, all the accompanying documents and invoices must bear the words ‘Chasselas
de Moissac’ and ‘Appellation d'origine contrôlée’ or ‘AOC’.

National requirements: Decree relating to ‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘CHASSELAS DE MOISSAC’

EC No: FR/PDO/117/0140/02.10.2003

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Institut National des Appellations d'Origine

Address: 51, rue d'Anjou

F-75008 Paris

Tel.

Fax

(33) 153 89 80 00

(33) 142 25 57 97

E-mail:

info@inao.gouv.fr

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2. Group:

Name:

Syndicat de défense du Chasselas de Moissac AOC

Address:

1, promenade Sancert
F-82200 Moissac

Tel.

Fax

(33) 563 04 01 78

(33) 563 04 11 21

E-mail:

—

Composition: Producers/processors ( X ) Others ( )

3.

Type of product:

Class 1.6 — Fruit, vegetables, cereals, whether or not processed

4.

Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

4.1. Name:

‘Chasselas de Moissac’

4.2. Description: Fresh or long-life table grape. The bunch is supple, homogenous in its density, and golden
in colour, with a minimum length of 12 cm and a minimum weight of 100 grammes. The grapes must
not be deformed, unripe, rotting or diseased. The bloom of the grapes is preserved, the seeds are
discernible against the light, and the stem is turgescent.

The sugar content is equal to or above 160 g/l, except in exceptional climatic conditions where, for a
given harvest, this index can be lowered provided that it is no lower than 150 g/l. The maturity is
considered to be affected where the sugar to acidity ratio is equal to or above 25.

It is compulsory for the bunches to be prepared, and for the grapes to be cut from them and packaged.

4.3. Geographical area: Le Bas Quercy, i.e. a number of cantons in the departments of Tarn-et-Garonne and

Le Lot.

4.4. Proof of origin: The grapes are monitored from their harvest to when they are packaged.

The grapes come solely from plots of land for vine cultivation which are identified, within the geogra-
phical area, by INAO and independent experts. These vines must respect geo-pedo-climatic criteria
relating to the location of the plots of land. All vines which meet these requirements are registered by
INAO.

Only grapes which come from these vines may lay claim to the designation.

Moreover, each producer fills in an annual declaration of suitability and sends it to INAO. The declara-
tion contains an undertaking to comply with the conditions of production for the designation, and
contains the references of the plots of land intended for production of ‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’ for
the harvest in question.

This document allows the plots of land involved in the production of AOC for the harvest to be identi-
fied and their agronomic yield in particular to be monitored.

Each producer must keep a daily record of the grapes entering the bunch cutting and packaging work-
shop and the packaged grapes leaving it. The record contains details of the volumes harvested and the
corresponding plots of land, with separate details of those put into long-term storage, the number of
packages packaged by type of package, and those coming out of long-term storage, and the numbers
of the identification marks used. This record is made available to the controlling bodies.

With regard to the product, analytical and organoleptic examinations are carried out on samples taken
from the packaged batches. Their purpose is to ensure the quality and typical features of the products
intended to be marketed under the ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ designation.

An identification mark, specific to ‘Chasselas de Moissac’, and approved by INAO, identifies all packa-
ging in which the grapes are marketed.

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4.5. Method of production: The grapes, which come from identified plots of land for vine cultivation, are

harvested, prepared and packaged in the geographical area.

Only the variety Chasselas B is authorised. The vines are trained using a single or double trellis system.
For reasons of quality, each time new planting takes place, the density and distance are adjusted
according to the method of training (minimum density of 3 300 vines/ha and maximum distance of
3 metres between rows for the single trellis system, minimum density of 2 500 vines/ha and maximum
distance of 3,5 metres between rows for the double trellis system). The methods for implementing the
density and distance must follow the requirements contained in Article 5 of the decree concerning
‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’.

The authorised methods of cutting are single and double Guyot pruning. The number of buds per
hectare must not exceed 55 000 for the single trellis system and 60 000 for the double trellis system.
The ‘placing of the bunches’, which consists of arranging the bunches on the vine so that they are free
and aired, is compulsory. It allows optimum maturity for the grapes.

Young vines can only lay claim to producing grapes suitable for the designation of origin from the
2nd year after that in which planting has taken place prior to 1 August.

Non-fertilising irrigation is authorised from the time of setting.

The yield for the identified plots of land intended for the production of ‘AOC Chasselas de Moissac’ is
set at two levels (holding and plots of land): total average maximum yield for the holding: 14 t/ha;
AOC average maximum yield for the holding: 13 t/ha; total maximum yield for the plot of land:
16 t/ha. However, for a given harvest, in exceptional climatic conditions, the total maximum yield for
the plot of land may be modified provided it does not exceed the cut-off yield of 18 t/ha and without
modifying the average yields for the holding. In no event can this derogation be added to that relating
to sugar level for the same marketing year.

The harvesting is carried out manually in several stages.

The grapes may be put into long-term storage, after the removal of the grapes spoilt in harvesting, and
transported quickly to the place of storage in containers which allow the characteristics of the product
to be preserved. These grapes, which are not cut from the bunch, are then cooled rapidly upon their
arrival at the place of storage before being put into long-term storage hermetically sealed in a cold
chamber subject to a controlled atmosphere, temperature and hygrometry. These grapes may no longer
be placed on the market with the registered designation of origin ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ after 31 January
of the year following that of the harvest.

The grapes, including those intended for long-term storage, are transported between the vine from
which they are harvested and the bunch cutting and packaging workshop under conditions which
allow optimum preservation of the characteristics of the product and, in particular, the bloom of the
grapes.

The bunches, including those coming out of long-term storage, are prepared in the bunch cutting and
packaging workshop. The bunch is delicately cut in order to eliminate any unclean grapes. The
prepared bunches of grapes must comply with the description of the grape.

Each producer must have a bunch cutting and packaging workshop and, if required, the necessary
equipment for putting the grapes into long-term storage if this practice is used.

Once cut, the bunches are packed immediately in clean packaging in order to preserve the characteris-
tics and quality of the product. The grapes are therefore handled as little as possible and the bloom of
the fruits is preserved. Packaging is carried out in specific bunch cutting and packaging workshops
located close to the place of harvesting. Packaging in the area not only allows the characteristics of the
product to be preserved, it also guarantees better traceability. Moreover, it prevents the grapes being
destroyed or mixed with other products.

4.6. Link: Le Bas Quercy is characterised by its own specific geological, agrological and climatic features.
The demarcation of the plots of land allows the chasselas to be produced in the most favourable soil:
clay-bonded, sandy and well-drained soils and decalcified sandy-clay soils. Climatic conditions, minor
thermal variations and, in particular, long periods of good weather in the autumn, allow the grapes to
mature well.

Two other types of soil favour this type of production: on the one hand, fairly deep, black or grey
stony soil on the plateaus, and on the other hand, scree on carbonate-clayey slopes on the flanks of
fairly open valleys.

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4.7. Inspection body:

Name:

Institut National des Appellations d'Origine

Address: 51, Rue d'Anjou

F-75008 Paris

Tel.

Fax

(33) 153 89 80 00

(33) 142 25 57 97

E-mail:

info@inao.gouv.fr

Name:

D.G.C.C.R.F

Address: 59, Bd V. Auriol

F-75703 Paris Cedex 13

Tel.

Fax

(33) 144 87 17 17

(33) 144 97 30 37

E-mail:

C3@dgccrf.finances.gouv.fr

4.8. Labelling: The labelling on the unit packages comprises:

— the name of the protected designation of origin ‘Chasselas de Moissac’ written in characters of a

dimension at least equal to those of the largest characters,

— the words ‘Appellation d'origine contrôlée’ (protected designation of origin) or the letters ‘AOC’

(PDO),

— the name of the producer.

Each unit package has an identification system, including a serial number, which is approved by INAO
and distributed by a body approved by this institute. This identification system can act as a labelling
aid.

In addition to the label, all the accompanying documents and invoices must bear the words ‘Chasselas
de Moissac’ and ‘Appellation d'origine contrôlée’ or ‘AOC’.