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 2023/C 66/06
Date: 2023-02-23
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, still wine








C_2023066EN.01001401.xml










23.2.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 66/14






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
(2023/C 66/06)
This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).
COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Médoc’


PDO-FR-A0730-AM05


Date of communication: 23.11.2022


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Official geographical code

The list of communes making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity has been updated to take account of the 2022 official geographical code.
This is a purely editorial change and does not alter the geographical area.
Points 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended in line with this change.
2.   Varieties for adaptation purposes

The varieties Arinarnoa N, Castets N, Marselan N and Touriga Nacional N have been added to the specification. These are late varieties, which can be an advantage in the context of global warming. Moreover, they are not very susceptible to rot, powdery mildew or downy mildew. All four varieties are suitable for producing intensely coloured, complex, full-bodied and structured wines, in line with the characteristics typical of ‘Médoc’ red wines.
These varieties are limited to 5 % of the varieties grown and 10 % of the blend.
The single document has not been amended.
3.   Distance between vines

The minimum distance between vines in the same row has been reduced from 0,80 m to 0,70 m.
This enables planting density to be increased, producing greater competition between the vines and better-quality grapes.
Point 5 of the single document has been amended.
4.   Pruning

The pruning rules have been adapted for vines that are spaced between 0,70 m and 0,80 m apart.
Point 5 of the single document has been amended.
5.   Agri-environmental provisions

A number of environmental provisions have been added:






—


Dead vines must be removed from the parcels. No dead vines may be kept on the parcels.










—


Before planting any new vines, winegrowers must carry out a physico-chemical soil analysis of the parcel in order to obtain all the information necessary to understand the winegrowing location and its potential.










—


In order to preserve the characteristics of the physical and biological environment, which is a fundamental part of the terroir:






—


chemical weed control is prohibited on the headlands;










—


full chemical weed control is prohibited on the parcels;










—


winegrowers must calculate and record their treatment frequency index.








These amendments are intended to take better account of the environment and of societal demands for less use of plant protection products.
The single document has not been amended.
6.   Maturing the wines

The minimum maturing date has been changed from 31 May following the harvest to 30 March following the harvest.
Reducing the potential maturing period makes it possible to produce fruitier wines and to have different ranges, with some wines that are easy to drink and some more sophisticated wines that are suitable for ageing.
This also affects the date of release for sale to the consumer.
It also involves a change to the link.
Point 8 of the single document has been amended.
7.   Transitional measures

Transitional measures no longer in force have been deleted.
The single document has not been amended.
8.   Main points to be checked

The individual additional volume has been added to the main points to be checked.
The single document has not been amended.
9.   Reference to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording used in other product specifications. This is a purely editorial amendment.
The single document has not been amended.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Médoc
2.   Type of geographical indication

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







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
These are still red wines with excellent ageing potential. They are tannic wines, with an intense colour, made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon N (traditional variety) blended with Merlot N and smaller quantities of Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N or, less often, Cot N and Carmenère N. Cabernet Sauvignon N gives the wine spicy notes, while Merlot N makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit. The addition of Cabernet Franc N or Petit Verdot N enhances the wines’ structure and complexity, while the latter variety also adds freshness.
After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %.
Their minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume is 11 %.
Every batch of wine sold (in bulk) or packaged has:






—


a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) not greater than 3 g/l










—


a malic acid content not greater than 0,2 g/l.




Wines sold in bulk or packaged before 1 October in the year following the year of harvest have a volatile acidity content of not more than 12,25 meq/l. Beyond that date, the wines have a volatile acidity content of not more than 16,33 meq/l.
Every batch of wine sold in bulk has a sulphur dioxide content of not more than 140 mg/l.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


13




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum total acidity


in milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


16,33




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 




5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices







1.


Enrichment
Specific oenological practice
Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %.










2.


Training of the vines
Cultivation method
Density: the minimum planting density of the vines is 5 000 plants per hectare. The distance between the rows is not more than 2 m and the distance between plants in the same row is at least 0,70 m.
Pruning rules: pruning is mandatory. It is carried out at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest.
Vines planted more than 0,80 m apart in a row are pruned using the following methods:






—


two-cane pruning, double Guyot or Médoc, with a maximum of five count buds per cane;










—


simple Guyot or mixed Guyot, with a maximum of seven count buds per vine;










—


short pruning, fan pruning to four arms or two cordons, with a maximum of 12 count buds per vine, or to one cordon, with a maximum of seven count buds per vine.




For vines planted between 0,70 m and 0,80 m apart in a row, only pruning to one cordon, fan pruning to a maximum of four arms and simple Guyot pruning are permitted. In addition, there must be no more than seven count buds per vine.




5.2.   Maximum yields

65 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and matured on the territory of the following communes in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the official geographical code in force on 1 January 2022: Arcins, Arsac, Avensan, Bégadan, Blaignan-Prignac, Blanquefort, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Cissac-Médoc, Civrac-en-Médoc, Couquèques, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Labarde, Lamarque, Lesparre-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Ludon-Médoc, Macau, Margaux-Cantenac, Moulis-en-Médoc, Naujac-sur-Mer, Ordonnac, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Le Pian-Médoc, Queyrac, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Sainte-Hélène, Salaunes, Soulac-sur-Mer, Soussans, Le Taillan-Médoc, Talais, Valeyrac, Vendays-Montalivet, Vensac, Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Vertheuil.
7.   Wine-grape variety(-ies)







 


Cabernet Franc N










 


Cabernet Sauvignon N










 


Carmenère N










 


Côt N - Malbec










 


Merlot N










 


Petit Verdot N




8.   Description of the link(s)

The geographical area demarcated for the ‘Médoc’ registered designation of origin is located in the department of Gironde on the left banks of the Garonne river and the Gironde estuary, north of Bordeaux. This winegrowing area of the Médoc peninsula stretches for almost 80 kilometres from north to south and just over 10 kilometres from east to west, and covers 50 communes.
The riverside flank of the Médoc region is characterised by moderate seasonal fluctuations and very modest rainfall for an Atlantic climate. Although the geographical area has a cooler climate than the south of the peninsula owing to its northerly location, it also receives less precipitation. These climatic conditions, which are good for winegrowing, are due to the presence of the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Gironde estuary to the east, which help to regulate temperatures. The oceanic climate, in some years combined with periods of autumnal low pressure and rain or, conversely, warm and very sunny autumns, creates a notable ‘vintage’ effect.
The resulting vineyard landscapes are relatively level (altitude between 3 and 50 metres), bordered by forest to the west and the Gironde estuary to the east. Gravelly hillocks planted with vines stretch from north to south, bounded by jalles (streams) and marshier non-winegrowing areas.
Generations of winegrowers have expertly exploited the unique characteristics of Médoc’s world-famous winegrowing country. Over time, the winegrowers’ detailed knowledge of the soil, and their expert use of drainage techniques to further improve its quality, have allowed them to develop the best possible growing methods for producing red wines with good longevity. Advances in plant health and the mechanisation of vineyards have not altered the winegrowers’ determination to maintain viticultural practices that enable them to produce their distinctive red wines.
Today the main varieties used in the Médoc region are Cabernet Sauvignon N, the preferred variety for gravelly soils, Merlot N, prized for its fruitiness, Cabernet Franc N, for predominantly limestone soils, and Petit Verdot N, for warm, well-drained soils. The diversity of grape varieties and soil types covered by the ‘Médoc’ designation of origin requires a selective approach to vineyard management.
This selective approach enables very ripe and healthy grapes to be obtained, with a controlled yield. Maceration is therefore possible to obtain the concentrated wines desired. This means that maturing is essential to develop a softer taste.
‘Médoc’ wines are tannic, with an intense colour, and made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon N combined with Merlot N and smaller quantities of Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N or, more rarely, Cot N and Carmenère N. Cabernet Sauvignon N is the traditional variety and it gives the wines spicy notes. Blending with Merlot N makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit. When Merlot N predominates, the desired aromas develop more quickly. The addition of Cabernet Franc N or Petit Verdot N enhances the wines’ structure and complexity, while the latter variety also adds freshness.
The wines have excellent ageing potential.
Renowned for centuries, this winegrowing region, crossed by the Bordeaux wine route, is dotted with wine châteaux – vast estates with a varied architectural heritage – and very small family vineyards where winemaking, sales and promotion are aided by the various wine cooperatives.
‘Médoc’ wines have been renowned for centuries and their reputation is founded on the notion of the ‘château’. After the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the future king of England Henry Plantagenet in 1152, the development of trade with England played a major part in building the reputation of these wines abroad.
In 1647, when the ‘Jurade de Bordeaux’ issued the first ever ranking of Guyenne wines, the reputation of wines from the Médoc parishes was already established. Under Louis XV, this classification was refined by region, divided first by parish and then by cru. These various classifications led in 1855 to the Classification of Bordeaux wines, which placed ‘Médoc’ wines among the wines of Gironde. Later, in 1932, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification was published.
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 development and maturing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following communes in the department of Gironde, in line with the official geographical code in force on 1 January 2022: Abzac, Aillas, Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Ambès, Anglade, Arbanats, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Artigues-près-Bordeaux, Arveyres, Asques, Aubiac, Auriolles, Auros, Ayguemorte-les-Graves, Bagas, Baigneaux, Barie, Baron, Barsac, Bassanne, Bassens, Baurech, Bayas, Bayon-sur-Gironde, Bazas, Beautiran, Bègles, Béguey, Bellebat, Bellefond, Belvès-de-Castillon, Bernos-Beaulac, Berson, Berthez, Beychac-et-Caillau, Bieujac, Les Billaux, Birac, Blaignac, Blasimon, Blaye, Blésignac, Bommes, Bonnetan, Bonzac, Bordeaux, Bossugan, Bouliac, Bourdelles, Bourg, Le Bouscat, Branne, Brannens, Braud-et-Saint-Louis, La Brède, Brouqueyran, Bruges, Budos, Cabanac-et-Villagrains, Cabara, Cadarsac, Cadaujac, Cadillac, Cadillac-en-Fronsadais, Camarsac, Cambes, Camblanes-et-Meynac, Camiac-et-Saint-Denis, Camiran, Camps-sur-l’Isle, Campugnan, Canéjan, Capian, Caplong, Carbon-Blanc, Cardan, Carignan-de-Bordeaux, Cars, Cartelègue, Casseuil, Castelmoron-d’Albret, Castelviel, Castets et Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille, Castres-Gironde, Caudrot, Caumont, Cauvignac, Cavignac, Cazats, Cazaugitat, Cénac, Cenon, Cérons, Cessac, Cestas, Cézac, Chamadelle, Civrac-de-Blaye, Civrac-sur-Dordogne, Cleyrac, Coimères, Coirac, Comps, Coubeyrac, Courpiac, Cours-de-Monségur, Cours-les-Bains, Coutras, Coutures, Créon, Croignon, Cubnezais, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Cudos, Cursan, Daignac, Dardenac, Daubèze, Dieulivol, Donnezac, Donzac, Doulezon, Les Eglisottes-et-Chalaures, Escoussans, Espiet, Les Esseintes, Etauliers, Eynesse, Eyrans, Eysines, Faleyras, Fargues, Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, Le Fieu, Flaujagues, Floirac, Floudès, Fontet, Fossés-et-Baleyssac, Fours, Francs, Fronsac, Frontenac, Gabarnac, Gajac, Galgon, Gans, Gardegan-et-Tourtirac, Gauriac, Gauriaguet, Générac, Génissac, Gensac, Gironde-sur-Dropt, Gornac, Gours, Gradignan, Grézillac, Grignols, Guillac, Guillos, Guîtres, Le Haillan, Haux, Hure, Illats, Isle-Saint-Georges, Izon, Jugazan, Juillac, Labescau, Ladaux, Lados, Lagorce, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lamothe-Landerron, La Lande-de-Fronsac, Landerrouat, Landerrouet-sur-Ségur, Landiras, Langoiran, Langon, Lansac, Lapouyade, Laroque, Laruscade, Latresne, Lavazan, Léogeats, Léognan, Lestiac-sur-Garonne, Les Lèves-et-Thoumeyragues, Libourne, Lignan-de-Bazas, Lignan-de-Bordeaux, Ligueux, Listrac-de-Durèze, Lormont, Loubens, Loupes, Loupiac, Loupiac-de-la-Réole, Lugaignac, Lugasson, Lugon-et-l’Ile-du-Carnay, Lussac, Madirac, Maransin, Marcenais, Margueron, Marimbault, Marions, Marsas, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Martillac, Martres, Masseilles, Massugas, Mauriac, Mazères, Mazion, Mérignac, Mérignas, Mesterrieux, Mombrier, Mongauzy, Monprimblanc,

Area in immediate proximity (cont. 1)

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
Monségur, Montagne, Montagoudin, Montignac, Montussan, Morizès, Mouillac, Mouliets-et-Villemartin, Moulon, Mourens, Naujan-et-Postiac, Néac, Nérigean, Neuffons, Le Nizan, Noaillac, Noaillan, Omet, Paillet, Les Peintures, Pellegrue, Périssac, Pessac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Peujard, Le Pian-sur-Garonne, Pineuilh, Plassac, Pleine-Selve, Podensac, Pomerol, Pompéjac, Pompignac, Pondaurat, Porchères, Porte-de-Benauge, Portets, Le Pout, Préchac, Preignac, Prignac-et-Marcamps, Pugnac, Puisseguin, Pujols, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Le Puy, Puybarban, Puynormand, Quinsac, Rauzan, Reignac, La Réole, Rimons, Riocaud, Rions, La Rivière, Roaillan, Romagne, Roquebrune, La Roquille, Ruch, Sablons, Sadirac, Saillans, Saint-Aignan, Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Saint-André-du-Bois, Saint-André-et-Appelles, Saint-Androny, Saint-Antoine-du-Queyret, Saint-Antoine-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Aubin-de-Blaye, Saint-Aubin-de-Branne, Saint-Avit-de-Soulège, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Brice, Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye, Saint-Christophe-de-Double, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac, Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, Saint-Côme, Saint-Denis-de-Pile, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Exupéry, Saint-Félix-de-Foncaude, Saint-Ferme, Saint-Genès-de-Blaye, Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, Saint-Genès-de-Fronsac, Saint-Genès-de-Lombaud, Saint-Genis-du-Bois, Saint-Germain-de-Grave, Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière, Saint-Germain-du-Puch, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Girons-d’Aiguevives, Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille, Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Saint-Laurent-d’Arce, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Laurent-du-Plan,

Area in immediate proximity (cont. 2)

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
Saint-Léon, Saint-Loubert, Saint-Loubès, Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand, Saint-Macaire, Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, Saint-Maixant, Saint-Mariens, Saint-Martial, Saint-Martin-de-Laye, Saint-Martin-de-Lerm, Saint-Martin-de-Sescas, Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Puy, Saint-Martin-Lacaussade, Saint-Médard-de-Guizières, Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans, Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac, Saint-Michel-de-Lapujade, Saint-Michel-de-Rieufret, Saint-Morillon, Saint-Palais, Saint-Pardon-de-Conques, Saint-Paul, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Pey-de-Castets, Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille, Saint-Philippe-du-Seignal, Saint-Pierre-d’Aurillac, Saint-Pierre-de-Bat, Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, Saint-Quentin-de-Baron, Saint-Quentin-de-Caplong, Saint-Romain-la-Virvée, Saint-Sauveur-de-Puynormand, Saint-Savin, Saint-Selve, Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, Saint-Seurin-de-Cursac, Saint-Seurin-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Sève, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Saint-Sulpice-de-Guilleragues, Saint-Sulpice-de-Pommiers, Saint-Sulpice-et-Cameyrac, Saint-Trojan, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, Saint-Vivien-de-Blaye, Saint-Vivien-de-Monségur, Saint-Yzan-de-Soudiac, Sainte-Colombe, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Sainte-Eulalie, Sainte-Florence, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Longue, Sainte-Gemme, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Terre, Sallebœuf, Les Salles-de-Castillon, Samonac, Saucats, Saugon, Sauternes, La Sauve, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Sauviac, Savignac, Savignac-de-l’Isle, Semens, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulignac, Soussac, Tabanac, Taillecavat, Talence, Targon, Tarnès, Tauriac, Tayac, Teuillac, Tizac-de-Curton, Tizac-de-Lapouyade, Toulenne, Le Tourne, Tresses, Uzeste, Val-de-Livenne, Val de Virvée, Vayres, Vérac, Verdelais, Vignonet, Villandraut, Villegouge, Villenave-de-Rions, Villenave-d’Ornon, Villeneuve, Virelade, Virsac and Yvrac.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux – Médoc’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux – Médoc’ may be specified on the label. In this case, the size of the letters used must not be larger, either in height or in width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters spelling the name of the registered designation of origin.

Area in immediate proximity (cont. 4)

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
Sainte-Gemme, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Terre, Sallebœuf, Les Salles-de-Castillon, Samonac, Saucats, Saugon, Sauternes, La Sauve, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Sauviac, Savignac, Savignac-de-l’Isle, Semens, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulignac, Soussac, Tabanac, Taillecavat, Talence, Targon, Tarnès, Tauriac, Tayac, Teuillac, Tizac-de-Curton, Tizac-de-Lapouyade, Toulenne, Le Tourne, Tresses, Uzeste, Val de Virvée, Vayres, Vérac, Verdelais, Vignonet, Villandraut, Villegouge, Villenave-de-Rions, Villenave-d’Ornon, Villeneuve, Virelade, Virsac and Yvrac.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-c44a6487-9266-41d7-a328-1602d767c741


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.