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 2021/C 90/08
Date: 2021-03-17
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, rosé wine, white wine








C_2021090EN.01003001.xml










17.3.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 90/30






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
(2021/C 90/08)
This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).
COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LUBERON’


PDO-FR-A0920-AM03


Date of communication: 14.12.2020


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Vineyard layout

The conditions of the ban on chemical weeding and plastic mulching on planting have been clarified. These rules were added so as to preserve the characteristics of the physical and biological environment that forms an essential part of the terroir.
The amendment does not affect the single document.
2.   Reporting obligations – packaging declaration

The packaging declaration must now be sent to the approved inspection body no later than 3 working days after the date of packaging, rather than before packaging as used to be the case. A declaration of sale in bulk to the consumer must be sent to the approved inspection body no later than 3 working days after the wine has left the winery to be sold in that way.
This amendment does not affect the single document.
3.   References to the inspection body

The contact details of the inspection body, Certipaq, have been updated. This is an independent body offering guarantees of competence, impartiality and independence under the authority of INAO on the basis of an approved inspection plan.
The amendment is set out under the heading ‘Contact details’ in the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Product name

Luberon
2.   Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected designation of origin
3.   Categories of grapevine product







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)


Rosé wines

The rosé wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11,5 %.
Their fermentable sugar content must not exceed 4 grams per litre.
After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %.
The wines are made from a blend of at least two grape varieties.
‘Luberon’ rosés are typical of Rhône valley vineyards but with Mediterranean or, more specifically, Provençal influences. They are fresh and fruity, often with aromas of exotic fruit enhanced by a balanced liveliness.






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)


 





Red wines

The red wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 12 %.
After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13,5 %.
Their fermentable sugar content must not exceed 4 grams per litre when the alcoholic strength by volume is more than 14 %, or 3 grams per litre when the alcoholic strength by volume is less than 14 %.
Their malic acid content at the packaging stage is less than 0,4 grams per litre.
The wines are made from a blend of at least two grape varieties.
‘Luberon’ reds are balanced, with a fruity aromatic range dominated by blackcurrant or other fresh red fruit.






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)


 





White vines

The white wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11,5 %.
After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %.
Their fermentable sugar content must not exceed 4 grams per litre.
The wines are made from a blend of at least two grape varieties.
‘Luberon’ whites are soft and aromatic, with notes often reminiscent of citrus fruit. They have a mineral character brought out by a balance of freshness and roundness.






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.   Wine-making practices

a.   Specific oenological practices

Specific oenological practice






—


To produce the rosé wines, winemakers are permitted to use oenological charcoal exclusively on press musts, without exceeding 20 % of the total volume made into wine by the operator for that harvest.




Spacing and pruning
Growing method






—


the area available for each plant must not exceed 2,5 m2, calculated by multiplying the distance between rows and the space between plants in the same row,










—


the distance between rows must not exceed 2,5 m,










—


the spacing between plants in the same row ranges from 0,8 m to 1,2 m.




The vines are pruned:






—


either short (using the Gobelet or Cordon de Royat method) with a maximum of six spurs per vine and a maximum of two buds per spur, or










—


using the single Guyot method, with a maximum of six buds on the cane and a replacement spur with no more than two buds.




Irrigation
Growing method
Irrigation may be permitted.
b.   Maximum yields

66 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made and processed in the following municipalities in the department of Vaucluse: Ansouis, Apt, La Bastide-des-Jourdans, La Bastidonne, Beaumont-de-Pertuis, Bonnieux, Cabrières-d’Aigues, Cadenet, Castellet, Cheval-Blanc, Cucuron, Goult, Grambois, Lacoste, Lauris, Lourmarin, Maubec, Ménerbes, Mérindol, Mirabeau, La Motte-d’Aigues, Oppède, Pertuis, Peypin-d’Aigues, Puget-sur-Durance, Puyvert, Robion, Saignon, Saint-Martin-de-Castillon, Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque, Sannes, Les Taillades, La Tour-d’Aigues, Vaugines, Villelaure and Vitrolles-en-Luberon.
7.   Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Bourboulenc B – Doucillon Blanc
Carignan N
Cinsaut N – Cinsault
Clairette B
Grenache N
Grenache Blanc B
Marsanne B
Marselan N
Mourvèdre N – Monastrell
Roussanne B
Syrah N – Shiraz
Ugni Blanc B
Vermentino B – Rolle
Viognier B
8.   Description of the link(s)

The geographical area, situated around the Luberon limestone massif, is remarkably uniform. It is part of the larger Rhône valley winegrowing area and is bordered by the Apt valley and the ‘Ventoux’ AOC production area to the north, the Durance Valley to the south, the foothills of the Alps of Haute Provence to the east and the Vaucluse plain to the west.
The vineyards are located on the slopes or at the base of imposing limestone hills, on parcels whose soils are made up of limestone gravel that promote their heating and draining, making them well suited to the production of quality grapes.
The Mediterranean climate favours the ripening of the grapes, with high temperatures and plenty of sunshine during summer, when sugars and polyphenols accumulate in the berries. The wind, by chasing the clouds, helps protect the vines from cryptogamic diseases. Exposure to the sun also promotes the development of aromatic precursors. The area is open to Alpine influences from the east and is also characterised by large temperature variations between day and night. These variations, particularly at the grape ripening stage, allow polyphenols to develop slowly and thus have a direct influence on the wines’ balance, resulting in round and full wines characterised by freshness and elegance.
‘Luberon’ winemakers have made constant efforts to improve production methods. As a result, quality grape harvests are obtained under good technical conditions, both at vineyard level thanks to a programme of selecting quality varieties and at the production stage through the modernisation of winemaking equipment.
The ‘Luberon’ winegrowing area has a strong tourist appeal with its valleys, forests, castles and folk tales. Visitors discover the area by touring its vineyards and hilltop villages.
9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Smaller geographical unit
Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
Wines with the registered designation of origin may display the name of a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that:






—


it is a registered location,










—


it appears on the harvest declaration.




Broader geographical unit
Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The labels of wines with the registered designation of origin may specify the broader geographical unit ‘Vignobles de la Vallée du Rhône’ in accordance with the conditions specified in the agreement signed between the protection and management bodies concerned.
Area in immediate proximity
Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Aubenas-les-Alpes, Banon, Céreste, Corbières, L’Hospitalet, Montfuron, Montjustin, Montsalier, Oppédette, Pierrevert, Redortiers, Reillanne, Revest-des-Brousses, Revest-du-Bion, La Rochegiron, Sainte-Croix-à-Lauze, Sainte-Tulle, Saumane, Simiane-la-Rotonde, Vachères and Villemus;
Department of Bouches-du-Rhône: Alleins, Aureille, Barbentane, Cabannes, Charleval, Chateaurenard, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Graveson, Jouques, Lamanon, Lambesc, Mallemort, Meyrargues, Molléges, Mouries, Noves, Orgon, Peyrolles-en-Provence, Plan-d’Orgon, Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade, Rognes, Rognonas, La Roque-d’Anthéron, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Cannat, Saint-Estève-Janson, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Senas, Vernègues and Verquières;
Department of Var: Artigues, Ginasservis, Rians, Saint-Julien, La Verdière and Vinon-sur-Verdon;
Department of Vaucluse: Aurel, Auribeau, Avignon, Le Beaucet, Beaumettes, Bedoin, Blauvac, Buoux, Cabrières-d’Avignon, Caseneuve, Caumont-sur-Durance, Cavaillon, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, Crillon-le-Brave, Flassan, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Gargas, Gignac, Gordes, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Jonquerettes, Joucas, Lagarde-d’Apt, Lagnes, Lioux, Malemort-du-Comtat, Méthamis, Modène, Monieux, Morières-lès-Avignon, Mormoiron, Murs, Pernes-les-Fontaines, La Roque-sur-Pernes, Roussillon, Rustrel, Saint-Christol, Saint-Didier, Saint-Pantaléon, Saint-Pierre-de-Vassols, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon, Saint-Trinit, Sault, Saumane-de-Vaucluse, Sivergues, Le Thor, Velleron, Venasque, Viens, Villars and Villes-sur-Auzon.

Link to the product specification

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-91fe7e08-c446-42f8-97c8-c0eaef478f6e


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.