Notification of the 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) 2019/332020/C 40/08
Date: 2020-02-06
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Loire Region, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, red wine, rosé wine, still wine, white wine








C_2020040EN.01003801.xml










6.2.2020   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 40/38






Notification of the 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 40/08)
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

‘Coteaux d’Ancenis’


PDO-FR-A0928-AM01


Date of communication: 12 November 2019


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Geographical area

The text concerning the geographical area has been amended as follows: ‘All steps in production take place in the geographical area approved by the Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité [National Origin and Quality Institute] at the meeting of the competent national committee on 28 September 2011. As at the date of approval of this specification by the competent national committee, this area comprises the territory of the following communes, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code:






—


Department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Carquefou, Le Cellier, Couffé, Divatte-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of Barbechat only), Ligné, Loireauxence (the territory of the delegated commune of Varades only), Mauves-sur-Loire, Mésanger, Montrelais, Oudon, Saint-Géréon, Thouaré-sur-Loire and Vair-sur-Loire.










—


Department of Maine-et-Loire: Mauges-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent only), Orée d’Anjou (the territory of the delegated communes of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne only).




Maps of this geographical area can be found on the website of the National Origin and Quality Institute.’
This is an editorial change: the new list of administrative entities reflects mergers and other administrative zoning changes that have taken place since the specification was approved. For greater legal certainty, the list is now referenced to the latest version of the Official Geographical Code, updated yearly by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
Finally, in the interests of better public information, the product specification now states that maps of the geographical area can be found on the National Origin and Quality Institute’s website.
Point 6 of the single document (Demarcated geographical area) has been amended accordingly.
2.   Demarcated parcel area

In Chapter I, Section IV(2), the word ‘demarcated’ has been replaced by the word ‘production’;
This is an editorial change which does not amend the demarcated area.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
3.   Area in immediate proximity

In Chapter I, Section IV(3), the list of communes has been replaced by:






—


Department of Loire-Atlantique: La Boissière-du-Doré, La Chapelle-Heulin, Divatte-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of La Chapelle-Basse-Mer only), Gorges, Haute-Goulaine, Le Landreau, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, Mouzillon, La Remaudière, Saint-Julien-de-Concelles and Vallet.










—


Department of Maine-et-Loire: Montrevault-sur-Èvre (the territory of the delegated communes of Puiset-Doré and Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges only), Orée d’Anjou (the territory of the delegated communes of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and Saint-Sauveur-de-Landemont only) and Sèvremoine (the territory of the delegated commune of Tillières only).




This is an editorial change: the new list of administrative entities reflects mergers and other administrative zoning changes that have taken place since the specification was approved.
Point 9 of the single document (Further conditions) has been amended accordingly.
4.   Vine varieties

The red and rosé wines may now be produced with cabernet franc as a secondary variety.
Cabernet franc is a grape variety traditionally grown in the area and used to make ‘Coteaux d’Ancenis’, which brings a certain structure to the wine without affecting its distinctive characteristics. This helps to assure production, as cabernet franc is less sensitive to frost than gamay and less susceptible to fungal diseases.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
5.   Blending







—


In Chapter I, the following point has been added to Section V:






‘2°


- rules on the proportion of varieties to be planted




The secondary variety must not account for more than 10% of the varieties planted.
Vine variety compliance, for the colour in question, must be assessed on all the parcels of the holding producing wines covered by the registered designation of origin.’










—


In Chapter I, the following has been added to Section IX:






‘a)


– Blending of varieties




The red and rosé wines are made by blending grapes or wines in the same proportions as those laid down for the planting of vine varieties.’




With the addition of cabernet franc, a rule had to been added under ‘Vine varieties’ and ‘Blending’ that limits the proportion of this variety to 10%.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
6.   Packaging

In Section IX(2) the length of time for which the results of tests carried out on batches of packaged wine must be kept has been increased from 6 months to 12 months in the interests of better compliance checking.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
7.   Circulation between authorised warehouses

Section IX(4)(b) of Chapter 1, which stated the date on which wines could begin circulating between authorised warehouse-keepers, has been deleted.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
8.   Link with the geographical area

The text has been revised to update the number of communes covered (16 instead of 22).
Point 8 of the single document (Link with the geographical area) has been amended accordingly.
9.   Transitional measure

The transitional measures that have expired have been deleted from the specification.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
10.   Labelling

A new point has been added to section XII: ‘c) The name of a smaller geographical unit may appear on the labels of wines covered by the registered designation of origin, provided that:






—


it is a registered location;










—


it appears on the harvest declaration.




The name of the registered location must be printed in letters that are no larger, in height, width or thickness, that half the size of the letters spelling the designation of origin. It must appear in the same visual field as the registered designation of origin.’
Point 9 of the single document (further conditions) has been amended accordingly.
11.   Advance declaration of parcel assignment

In Chapter II, Section I(1), the five-year limit on the validity of tacit renewals has been removed. This is to avoid any problems that could arise from a failure to remember. Tacit renewals now continue to be valid until the operator notifies a change.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
12.   Claim declaration

The deadline for submitting a claim declaration is now 31 December instead of 10 December.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
13.   Prior declaration of a transaction relating to unpackaged wine

In Chapter II, Section II(3), first paragraph, the word ‘first’ has been added before the word ‘transaction’ and the words ‘of the first batch of the year in question or the first placing on the market for sale to the consumer’ have been added after the word ‘transaction’.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
14.   Prior declaration of packaging

In Chapter II, Section II(4), the following indent has been added:






‘ –


the expected date of packaging’




The single document is not affected by this amendment.
15.   Declaration of declassification

In Chapter II, Section II(6), the words ‘within a month’ have been replaced by ‘at the latest by 15 December’
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
16.   Vineyard register

Section II(1) of Chapter II, has been amended to read:






‘ 1°


- Vineyard register






a)


All operators who grow vines suitable for the production of wines covered by the registered designation of origin must, before 1 June in the year of harvest, complete a register indicating the parcels that they no longer wish to use for the production of such wines and where they do not wish to apply the production conditions governing vineyards that are used to produce such wines.
The protection and management body may ask operators to provide them with a copy of the register.










b)


All operators affected by one or more transitional measures must be able to provide the protection and management body and the authorised inspection body with an inventory of the parcels concerned, indicating:






—


the land register reference of the parcel;










—


the transitional measure in question.’












The single document is not affected by this amendment.
17.   Storehouse register

In Chapter II, Section II(2) the term ‘logbook’ has been replaced by ‘register’ and it is now stated that declassifications are entered in the register.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
18.   Compliance checklist

Chapter III has been revised to ensure consistency across the checklists included in the different product specifications for Pays nantais wines.
The single document is not affected by this amendment.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name of product

Coteaux d’Ancenis
2.   Type of geographical indication

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin
3.   Category of grapevine product







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)


Red wines

The wines are still red wines.
The analytical characteristics of the wines are as follows:






—


Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 10.5% for red wines










—


Total maximum alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment: 12.5% for red wines










—


Total acidity: between 57.1 and 102.1 milliequivalents per litre for red wines










—


Maximum volatile acid content: 13.3 milliequivalents per litre for red wines










—


Fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose): not more than 3 g per litre for red wines










—


Maximum malic acid content: not more than 0.3 g per litre for red wines. Malolactic fermentation is completed for the red wines.




The total sulphur dioxide content and the total actual alcoholic strength of the red wines follow the rules laid down in EU legislation.
The red wines are bright in colour, with tints ranging from cherry red to garnet red. The nose is frequently dominated by red fruit aromas, sometimes combined with hints of spice. They generally possess elegant tannins that give them a smooth, tender quality together with a certain freshness.






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)


 





White wines

The wines are still white wines.
The analytical characteristics of the wines are as follows:






—


Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 11.5% for white wines










—


Total maximum alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment: 13.5% for white wines










—


Total acidity: between 57.1 and 112.3 milliequivalents per litre for white wines










—


Fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose): between 20 g and 40 g per litre for white wines




The white wines, opulently yellow in colour, generally develop intense aromatic notes reminiscent of ripe or exotic fruit. The rules governing their analytical characteristics generally guarantee the fine balance these wines have on the palate: the fullness bestowed by the fermentable sugars counterbalances the freshness typical of Loire wines.






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)


13.3




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 





Rosé wines

The wines are still rosé wines.
Their analytical characteristics are as follows:






—


Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 10% for rosé wines










—


Total maximum alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment: 12% for rosé wines










—


Total acidity: between 57.1 and 102.1 milliequivalents per litre for rosé wines










—


Maximum volatile acidity: 10.2 milliequivalents per litre for rosé wines










—


Fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose): not more than 4 g per litre for rosé wines




The total sulphur dioxide content and the total actual alcoholic strength of the rosé wines follow the rules laid down in EU legislation.
The rosé wines are light in colour, ranging from pale pink to salmon pink. Their fine, subtle aromas have a certain freshness and generally manifest themselves in the form of fruity notes. These wines are characteristically light and fresh on the palate, with a touch of liveliness.






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.   Pine-making practices

a.   Essential oenological practices


Cultivation method

The minimum planting density of the vines is 6 000 plants per hectare.
The distance between rows is not more than 1.60 m and the distance between plants in the same row is between 0.90 m and 1.10 m.
The vines are pruned with a maximum of 12 buds per plant:






—


either by short pruning (Cordon de Royat, goblet pruning, fan pruning);










—


or single Guyot pruning.




Pruning is done before 31 May in the year of harvest.
At the fruit set stage, the number of fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant is not more than 10.

Specific oenological practice

The use of oenological charcoal when making the rosé wines is forbidden, whether alone or mixed in a preparation.
Reductive methods of enrichment are permitted for the red wines, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10% in relation to the volumes used.
After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed: 13.5% for white wines, 12% for rosé wines and 12.5% for red wines.
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

White wines
55 hectolitres per hectare
Red and rosé wines
66 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

All steps in production take place in the geographical area approved by the National Origin and Quality Institute at the meeting of the competent national committee on 28 September 2011. As at the date of approval of this specification by the competent national committee, this area comprises the territory of the following communes, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code:






—


Department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Carquefou, Le Cellier, Couffé, Divatte-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of Barbechat only), Ligné, Loireauxence (the territory of the delegated commune of Varades only), Mauves-sur-Loire, Mésanger, Montrelais, Oudon, Saint-Géréon, Thouaré-sur-Loire and Vair-sur-Loire.










—


Department of Maine-et-Loire: Mauges-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent only), Orée d’Anjou (the territory of the delegated communes of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne only).




7.   Main wine grape varieties

Gamay N
Pinot gris G
8.   Description of the link(s)


Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area extends across both banks of the river Loire, halfway between the cities of Nantes and Angers. The vines are mainly grown on the hillsides directly facing the river, and sometimes also on the slopes of secondary valleys. They are planted in tiers, generally at altitudes of between 20 m and 80 m, and stand out against the surrounding plateaus, where the land is used for mixed-crop and livestock farming. The geographical area, centred on the commune of Ancenis, extends across 16 communes in the departments of Loire-Atlantique and Maine-et-Loire.
The vineyard lies above the ancient metamorphic formations of the Armorican Massif, which are primarily composed of schists, mica-schists and gneiss. These hard rocks have given rise to siliceous, often gravelly soils which are very shallow on the slopes and were once subject to erosion by the river Loire. Following local customs, the area marked out for grape harvesting is carefully restricted to hillside parcels which have chiefly and traditionally been used for winegrowing and have healthy, shallow soils which are moderately fertile with limited water reserves. These soils are quick to dry out and to heat.
The geographical area enjoys a temperate oceanic climate. The river Loire helps to convey the sea’s climatic influence inland, all the more so as, in the Ancenis region, the direction of the current is the same as the direction of the prevailing winds. The average yearly temperature is generally around 11.5 °C, with mild winters and cool summers. Precipitation averages around 700 mm yearly and is distributed throughout the year in a fairly even manner, although summer is significantly dryer than the other seasons. There is often a dry, windy period at the beginning of autumn, before the high spring tides.

Description of the human factors relevant to the link

Grapes have been grown in the Ancenis region since ancient times, but winegrowing is thought to have become more widespread from the 11th century, when many priories were built along the banks of the river Loire. The tithes that were paid on grapevine products attest to prolific viticultural activity along the banks of the Loire during the Middle Ages. The port of Ancenis swiftly came to play a central role in the sale and transportation of the region’s wines. Thus, in 1573, Charles IX authorised the establishment of four ‘wine gourmet’ brokers’ offices at the port of Ancenis. The number of offices was increased to ten in 1584, and, under Louis XVI, there were regularly as many as twenty boats in Ancenis involved in the wine trade.
In the 17th century, the vineyards of Ancenis began to increase their production of sweet white wines as the Pinot Gris G grape variety was introduced. The resulting wine gradually came to be known as ‘Malvoisie’. The other grape varieties appeared later; Gamay N, for instance, was introduced towards the middle of the 19th century. The wine trade was then at its peak and the wines were shipped to Paris via Orleans, or to Northern Europe and Brittany via the main square of Nantes.
After the phylloxera epidemic, the vineyards were restored and definitively adopted the grape varieties and cultivation practices that are still in use today, including a planting density standard of between 6 000 and 7 000 plants per hectare. Dry rosé wines and red wines replaced the ‘Malvoisie’ sweet white wines as the most commonly produced types of wine. The creation of a wine-makers’ syndicate for the arrondissement of Ancenis in 1907 attests to the continued vitality of the local winemaking industry. The production rules adopted by the manufacturers after the second World War led to the recognition in 1954 of ‘Coteaux d’Ancenis’ as an appellation d’origine vin délimité de qualité supérieure.
In 2009, the vineyards covered 180 hectares and were farmed by around thirty winegrowers, yielding an annual production of over 10 000 hectolitres, made up of 45% rosé wines, 38% red wines and 17% white wines. The white wines, opulently yellow in colour, generally develop intense aromatic notes reminiscent of ripe or exotic fruit. The rules governing their analytical characteristics are what generally guarantee the considerable balance these wines possess on the palate: the fullness bestowed by the fermentable sugars counterbalances the freshness typical of Loire wines.
The red wines are bright in colour, with tints ranging from cherry red to garnet red. The nose is frequently dominated by red fruit aromas, sometimes combined with hints of spice. They generally possess elegant tannins that give them a smooth, tender quality together with a certain freshness.
The rosé wines are light in colour, ranging from pale pink to salmon pink. Their fine, subtle aromas have a certain freshness and generally manifest themselves in the form of fruity notes. These wines are characteristically light and fresh on the palate, with a touch of liveliness. The geographical area is located on the border of the Nantes and Anjou vineyards, by the side of the major waterway that is the river Loire, and the makers of ‘Coteaux d’Ancenis’ were able to take advantage of this twofold influence to establish a series of production techniques adapted to their natural environment.
The hillsides in the geographical area, shaped by the Loire as it flows through the metamorphic formations of the Armorican Massif, typically have soils whose high warmth absorption capabilities, rapid natural drainage and limited water reserves are good for the ripening of grapes; hence the development, starting in the Middle Ages, of a thriving commercial winemaking industry around the port of Ancenis. Furthermore, the local climate, despite being under oceanic influence, is distinctive in that there is often a dry, windy spell around the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Together with the open landscapes along the banks of the Loire, these environmental conditions are a major factor behind the development of a red and rosé wine industry in the region. The poor, acidic soil of the land parcels allocated to vine-growing is particularly suitable for the Gamay N grape variety, acting as a restraint on its often-noted vitality and explaining how it has replaced existing red grape varieties despite being introduced relatively late. Vineyard management by means of well-adapted cultivation techniques and the restriction of yields brings out the full range of aromas in the red wine and allows the rosé wines to express delicate fruity notes.
The climate also makes it possible to produce sweet white wines by harvesting ripe, healthy grapes. In addition, it has enabled the swift acclimatisation of the fragile Pinot Gris G variety. The geographical area’s mild summers are an important advantage, helping to preserve the fineness of the grape’s aromas as well as ensuring the wines’ characteristic freshness by curbing the deterioration of the organic acids present in the grapes. Known locally as ‘Malvoisie’, these truly original wines are symbolic of the region’s winemaking heritage.
Unionised since the beginning of the 20th century, the growers have consistently worked to improve the quality of their products. The recognition of ‘Coteaux d’Ancenis’ as a registered designation of origin, the consolidation of the land parcels allocated to winegrowing to focus on the best hillsides, the move towards using only Gamay N and Pinot Gris N as the principal grape varieties, and stricter production rules are strong signs that the unique character of these wines is assured for the future.
9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

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 the wines, comprises the territory of the following communes, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code:






—


Department of Loire-Atlantique: La Boissière-du-Doré, La Chapelle-Heulin, Divatte-sur-Loire (the territory of the delegated commune of La Chapelle-Basse-Mer only), Gorges, Haute-Goulaine, Le Landreau, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, Mouzillon, La Remaudière, Saint-Julien-de-Concelles and Vallet.










—


Department of Maine-et-Loire: Montrevault-sur-Èvre (the territory of the delegated communes of Puiset-Doré and Saint-Rémy-en-Mauges only), Orée d’Anjou (the territory of the delegated communes of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and Saint-Sauveur-de-Landemont only), Sèvremoine (the territory of the delegated commune of Tillières only).




Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The name of the registered designation of origin may be supplemented by the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ in accordance with the rules laid down in the product specification regarding the use of that name.
The name of the registered designation of origin may be supplemented by the name in current use ‘Malvoisie’ in accordance with the rules laid down in the product specification regarding the use of that name. The name may only be used for still white wines.
All optional terms whose use, under Community provisions, may be regulated by the Member States are printed on the labels in letters that may not be larger, in height, width or thickness, than twice the size of the letters spelling the name of the registered designation of origin.
The size of the letters spelling the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ and the name in current use ‘Malvoisie’ must not be larger, in height, width or thickness, than two-thirds of the size of the letters spelling the name of the registered designation of origin.
Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The name of a smaller geographical unit may appear on the labels of wines covered by the registered designation of origin, provided that:






—


it is a registered location;










—


it appears on the harvest declaration.




The name of the registered location must be printed in letters that are no larger, in height, width or thickness, than half the size of the letters spelling the designation of origin. It must appear in the same visual field as the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-0569c539-0b4c-4402-9b68-c63cca20f36f


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2 .