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 180/10
Date: 2023-05-23
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Occitanie, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, rosé wine, still wine, white wine








C_2023180EN.01003101.xml










23.5.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 180/31






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 180/10)
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

‘Vallée du Paradis’


PGI-FR-A1141-AM01


Date of communication: 24.2.2023


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Area in immediate proximity

Chapter I, section 4.2 – Area in immediate proximity – of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ has been amended. The list of municipalities making up the area in immediate proximity has been updated, without any changes, in accordance with the 2022 Official Geographical Code.
This editorial amendment allows the geographical area to be identified with reference to the 2022 version of the Official Geographical Code, which is updated by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), and gives the delimitation of the geographical area legal certainty.
The section of the single document entitled ‘Further conditions – area in immediate proximity’ has been updated.
2.   Vine varieties

Chapter I, section 5 – Vine varieties – of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ has been amended. The list of varieties selected for the production of the protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ has been amended as follows:






—


Introduction of 13 varieties considered to be ‘resistant’ to vine diseases:
Artaban N, Cabernet blanc B, Cabernet cortis N, Floréal B, Monarch N, Muscaris B, Prior N, Saphira B, Soreli B, Souvignier gris Rs, Sauvignac B, Vidoc N, Voltis B.










—


Introduction of 12 varieties with the potential to adapt to climate change:
Agiorgitiko N, Assyrtyko B, Calabrese N, Carricant B, Fiano B, Montepulciano N, Moschofilero Rs, Primitivo N, Roditis Rs, Touriga nacional N, Verdejo B, Xinomavro N.
These varieties are resistant to drought and fungal diseases. With similar physiological and oenological properties to the varieties used in the PGI production, they reduce the need for plant protection products. They do not affect the characteristics of the PGI wines.










—


Deletion of the following eight varieties: These varieties have not been identified in the list of vine varieties or in the production of the PGI.
Altesse B, Chasselas B, Chasselas Rs, Danlas B, Gamay de Chaudenay N, Ganson N, Mondeuse N, Ribol N.
These amendments are also included in the single document under ‘Wine grape varieties’.




3.   Inspection body

Chapter III of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ has been amended to simplify the section entitled ‘Inspection body’, specifying that compliance with the product specification must be checked on the basis of an approved control plan and by a third-party body delegated by the INAO and offering guarantees of competence, impartiality and independence.
This simplification does not affect the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Vallée du Paradis
2.   Geographical indication type

PGI - Protected geographical indication
3.   Categories of grapevine products









1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
The protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ covers still red, rosé, gris, gris de gris and white wines.
The minimum and maximum levels for total alcoholic strength by volume, total acidity, volatile acidity and total sulphur dioxide are those set by EU legislation.
The stringent production conditions and excellent ripeness of the grapes result in very balanced wines, which, depending on the wine-making techniques used, are expressed through their strength (in the case of long vatting periods) or fruitiness (shorter vatting periods). The rosé wines range in colour from the palest grey, particularly in the case of the ‘gris de gris’ wines, to a stronger pink hue, depending on the grape varieties used. These wines are often very fresh, with fruity or flowery notes. The white wines range in colour from the palest greenish yellow to golden yellow. These wines are often characterised by their great freshness, sometimes accompanied by exotic, floral or, in some cases, mineral notes.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


11 




Minimum total acidity


 




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 




5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices









1.


 
Specific oenological practice
All wine-making practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.




5.2.   Maximum yields









1.


 
80 hectolitres per hectare




6.   Demarcated geographical area

The harvesting of the grapes and the production and development of wines bearing the ‘Vallée du Paradis’ PGI must take place in the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Aude:
Albas, Cascastel-des-Corbières, Coustouge, Durban-Corbières, Embres-et-Castelmaure, Fontjoncouse, Fraissé-des-Corbières, Jonquières, Quintillan, Saint-Jean-de-Barrou, Villeneuve-les-Corbières, Villesèque-des-Corbières.
7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)







 


Agiorgitiko N










 


Alicante Henri Bouschet N










 


Alphonse Lavallée N










 


Alvarinho - Albariño










 


Aramon N










 


Aranel B










 


Arinarnoa N










 


Arriloba B










 


Artaban N










 


Assyrtiko B










 


Aubun N - Murescola










 


Bourboulenc B - Doucillon blanc










 


Cabernet blanc B










 


Cabernet cortis N










 


Cabernet franc N










 


Cabernet Sauvignon N










 


Calabrese N










 


Caladoc N










 


Cardinal Rg










 


Carignan N










 


Carignan blanc B










 


Carmenère N










 


Carricante










 


Chardonnay B










 


Chasan B










 


Chenanson N










 


Chenin B










 


Cinsaut N - Cinsault










 


Clairette B










 


Clairette Rose Rs










 


Colombard B










 


Côt N - Malbec










 


Danlas B










 


Egiodola N










 


Fer N - Fer Servadou, Braucol, Mansois, Pinenc










 


Fiano










 


Floreal B










 


Gamay N










 


Gewürztraminer Rs










 


Gramon N










 


Grenache N










 


Grenache blanc B










 


Grenache gris G










 


Gros Manseng B










 


Jurançon noir N - Dame noire










 


Listan B - Palomino










 


Lledoner pelut N










 


Macabeu B - Macabeo










 


Marsanne B










 


Marselan N










 


Mauzac B










 


Mauzac rose Rs










 


Merlot N










 


Monarch N










 


Monerac N










 


Montepulciano










 


Morrastel N - Minustellu, Graciano










 


Moschofilero Rs










 


Mourvèdre N - Monastrell










 


Muscaris B










 


Muscat d’Alexandrie B - Muscat, Moscato










 


Muscat de Hambourg N - Muscat, Moscato










 


Muscat à petits grains blancs B – Muscat, Moscato










 


Muscat à petits grains rouges Rg - Muscat, Moscato










 


Nielluccio N - Nielluciu










 


Négrette N










 


Parrellada B










 


Petit Manseng B










 


Petit Verdot N










 


Pinot blanc B










 


Pinot gris G










 


Pinot noir N










 


Piquepoul blanc B










 


Piquepoul noir N










 


Portan N










 


Primitivo N - Zinfandel










 


Prior N










 


Riesling B










 


Roditis Rs










 


Roussanne B










 


Saphira B










 


Sauvignac










 


Sauvignon B - Sauvignon blanc










 


Sauvignon Gris G - Fié gris










 


Semillon B










 


Servant B










 


Soreli B










 


Souvignier gris Rs










 


Sylvaner B










 


Syrah N - Shiraz










 


Tannat N










 


Tempranillo N










 


Terret blanc B










 


Terret gris G










 


Terret noir N










 


Tourbat B










 


Touriga nacional N










 


Ugni blanc B










 


Verdejo B










 


Verdelho B










 


Vermentino B - Rolle










 


Vidoc N










 


Villard blanc B










 


Villard noir N










 


Viognier B










 


Voltis B










 


Xinomavro N




8.   Description of the link(s)









8.1.


The geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ covers 12 municipalities of Aude, a department in the south of France located in Languedoc-Roussillon. ‘Vallée du Paradis’ is located in the heart of the Corbières Massif wine-growing area, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a series of limestone mountains.
The geological history of this sector gives its landscapes an exceptional mineral beauty.
The River Berre, the main river that crosses this wine-growing area, cuts through a succession of limestone plateaus and schists.
The vineyards, located at an altitude of between 150 and 300 m, mostly consist of small parcels, almost always sloping, in a garrigue environment.
The climate is classified as Mediterranean: hot and dry, with rainfall that is often heavy, taking the form of storms occurring mainly in autumn and spring. Average rainfall is around 600 mm. The north-westerly wind known as cers, which is present almost 200 days a year, contributes to the very good health of the grapes and allows for lengthy ripening periods, which is conducive to the production of quality wines.
Agriculture and mining are the main activities of this region, which has been inhabited since very ancient times. The absence of a proper road network as a result of its isolated location in the Corbières Massif has led the inhabitants to prioritise production with a very high added value. In addition to mining products, these included spirits, liqueur wines, olive oil and the range of products associated with sheep-farming.
At the end of the 19th century, coinciding with the valley becoming more accessible and a proper road network being built, agriculture underwent significant change and vines became the main crop. Wine was easily transported and benefited from the new modes of transport, in particular the railways. This led to the production of lighter, fruitier wines in accordance with consumer demand.
They were recognised with ‘vin de pays de la vallée du Paradis’ status on 16 March 1981, subject to well-defined production conditions.
The grape varieties used for this PGI are adapted to the production conditions in the area. They include traditional Mediterranean grapes such as Carignan noir, Grenache noir, gris and blanc varieties, Cinsaut, Maccabeu and varieties of Muscat.
In the last 20 years or so, the diversification of grape varieties, mainly in the parcels with the deepest soils, has made it possible to plant vines from other wine-growing areas, such as Merlot and Cot, but also the hybrids Chenanson and Caladoc, which have adapted remarkably well to this environment.
The circa 10 000 hectolitres of ‘Vallée du Paradis’ PGI wines that are produced are mostly reds (60 %), followed by rosés (30 %) and whites (10 %). Rosé wine production is increasing, particularly ‘gris de gris’ wines made mainly from the Grenache gris grape variety.












8.2.


This valley through which the upper course of the River Berre flows was called the ‘vallée du paradis’ (meaning ‘paradise valley) on account of its impressive landscapes. It is the production area with its sloping vineyards on shallow to medium depth soils that gives the wines their originality.
In these soil and climatic conditions, all of the varieties reach full ripeness each year, which makes it possible to produce very elegant wines. Modern oenological techniques are used to encourage the gentle extraction of tannins in the case of the red wines and allow for optimal temperature control in the case of the rosé and white wines.
The ‘Vallée du Paradis’ winegrowers have preserved the character and wine-growing tradition of this small region.
The long-established reputation of ‘Vallée du Paradis’ wines is based on the specificity of these hillside vineyards that emerge from the Corbières Massif.
The area’s agricultural activity, which used to be diversified, is now almost solely devoted to winegrowing. This mosaic of vineyards punctuates the landscape and is the hallmark of its identity. Winegrowers play a key role in terms of planning here and the vineyards and roads to access them constitute the best defence against the fires that endanger this sensitive area every year.
There is no doubt that it is this synergy between mankind and nature that attracts more and more tourists, who come in search of a natural environment that is full of character and well preserved. In this way, wine tourism allows people to discover the ‘Vallée du Paradis’ wines, while boosting their reputation and the esteem in which they are held, as well as bringing the investments that are needed to maintain this original wine-growing tradition.




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


Labelling

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ may be supplemented by the name of one or more grape varieties.
The protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’.
The European Union PGI logo must appear on the label if the words ‘Indication géographique protégée’ (Protected Geographical Indication) are replaced by the traditional term ‘Vin de pays’.

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 making and processing of wines bearing the protected geographical indication ‘Vallée du Paradis ’ consists of the municipalities bordering the geographical area, in accordance with the Official Geographical Code of 1 January 2022.
Department of Aude:
Albières, Argens-Minervois, Arquettes-en-Val, Auriac, Bouisse, Boutenac, Camplong-d'Aude, Castelnau-d'Aude, Caunettes-en-Val, Caves, Conilhac-Corbières, Cruscades, Cucugnan, Davejean, Dernacueillette, Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, Escales, Fabrezan, Fajac-en-Val, Félines-Termenès, Ferrals-les-Corbière, Feuilla, Fitou, Fontcouverte, Homps, La Palme, Labastide-en-Val, Lagrasse , Lairière, Lanet, Laroque-de-Fa, Leucate, Lézignan-Corbières, Luc-sur-Orbieu, Maisons, Massac, Mayronnes, Montbrun-des-Corbières, Montgaillard, Montjoi, Montlaur, Montséret, Mouthoumet, Ornaisons, Padern, Palairac, Paziols, Peyriac-de-Mer, Portel-des-Corbières, Port-la-Nouvelle, Pradelles-en-Val, Ribaute, Rieux-en-Val, Roquefort-des-Corbières, Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Saint-André-de-Roquelongue, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Saint-Martin-des-Puits, Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, Salza, Serviès-en-Val, Sigean, Soulatgé, Talairan, Taurize, Termes, Thézan-des-Corbières, Tournissan, Tourouzelle, Treilles, Tuchan, Vignevieille, Villar-en-Val, Villerouge-Termenès, Villetritouls.
Department of Pyrénées-Orientales:
Cases-de-Pène, Espira-de-l'Agly, Opoul-Périllos, Peyrestortes, Pia, Rivesaltes, Salses-le-Château, Vingrau.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-25f27181-8b76-4251-9727-cb15d0f84997


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.