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 254/10
Date: 2023-07-19
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_2023254EN.01001701.xml










19.7.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 254/17






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 254/10)
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

‘Margaux’


PDO-FR-A0329-AM02


Date of communication: 20.4.2023


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Official Geographic Code

The list of municipalities has been updated on the basis of the 2022 Official Geographic Code in relation to the geographical area.
This is a purely editorial change and does not alter the geographical area.
Point 6 of the single document has been amended.
2.   Varieties for adaptation purposes

The Castets N variety has been added to the specification. This is a late variety, which can be an advantage in the context of global warming. In addition, the variety is not particularly sensitive to mildew. It can produce wines in line with the distinctive character of the red wine of the ‘Margaux’ designation.
This variety is limited to 5 % of the varieties grown and 10 % of the blend.
The single document has not been amended.
3.   Planting density

The rule laying down a minimum spacing between plants in the same row is replaced by the definition of a maximum area per foot not exceeding 1,43 m2.
The plantation density remains at least 7 000 stocks per hectare.
Point 5 of the single document has been amended.
4.   Agri-environmental provisions

The following environmental provisions have been added:






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










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Chemical weed control is prohibited on headlands.










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Full chemical weed control on parcels is prohibited.










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Between the rows, naturally occurring and/or planted vegetation is managed by mechanical or physical means.










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All producers must calculate and record their treatment frequency index.




These amendments are designed 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.
5.   Circulation between authorised warehouses

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter 1, on the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses, has been deleted.
This amendment does not result in any changes to the single document.
6.   Link

The link has been adjusted following a merger of municipalities.
The single document has not been amended.
7.   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.
This amendment does not result in any changes to the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Margaux
2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin
3.   Categories of grapevine products







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
The wines are still red wines.
They have:






—


a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %;










—


a fermentable sugar content not exceeding 2 g/l;










—


a malic acid content not exceeding 0,30 g/l.




The wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment must not exceed 13,5 %.
Each batch of wine marketed in bulk must have a volatile acidity content of not more than 13,26 milliequivalents per litre, until 31 July of the year following the harvest, and not more than 16,33 milliequivalents per litre after that date.
The analytical characteristics not mentioned are those laid down in EU legislation.
The wines have an intense red colour and an excellent capacity for ageing. These wines improve with ageing and are characterised by a finesse that is highlighted by scents of fruit.
Cabernet-Sauvignon N is the king of the Médoc varieties and accounts for almost 60 % of the areas under vines covered by the ‘Margaux’ designation. It gives the wine its structure, bouquet and ageing potential. Merlot N, an indispensable supplementary variety, only rarely accounts for more than 30 % of blends. It provides roundness and fullness together with aromatic complexity. The rarer Cabernet Franc N brings elegance and subtle spicy aromas. Petit Verdot N produces a wine with a certain fullness of colour, fruit and tannins.






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

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Growing method
The minimum vine planting density is 7 000 plants per hectare.
The spacing between the rows does not exceed 1,50 metres.
Each plant has an area not exceeding 1,43 m2, a figure obtained by multiplying the distance between the rows by the distance between plants in the same row.
Pruning is carried out at the latest at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9).
The vines are pruned with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant, using the following techniques:






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the so-called Médoc cane pruning, or spur and ‘shoot’ pruning, with two canes per plant and a maximum of four buds per cane for the Cot N, Cabernet Sauvignon N, Merlot N and Petit Verdot N varieties, and a maximum of five buds per cane for the Cabernet Franc N and Carménère N varieties. Repeat spur pruning has two count buds;










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spur pruning to two cordons, or fan pruning to four arms.




Irrigation during the vine growing season may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.
2.   Specific oenological practice






—


Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %.










—


The wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment must not exceed 13,5 %.




5.2.   Maximum yields

63 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and matured on the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2022: Arsac, Labarde, Margaux-Cantenac and Soussans.
7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)







 


Cabernet Franc N










 


Cabernet Sauvignon N










 


Carménère N










 


Côt N - Malbec










 


Merlot N










 


Petit Verdot N




8.   Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of the ‘Margaux’ designation extends along the left bank of the Gironde estuary on a series of gravelly terraces.
Margaux wines are produced in an area with a temperate oceanic climate and various climatic factors conducive to the establishment of a great vineyard region, thanks to the effect that the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde have on regulating temperatures. The autumn sometimes sees low-pressure systems move in, and this largely explains the vintage effect. The area’s main characteristics are linked above all to the geology that characterises this sedimentary basin; the specific geological history of its soils; its landscape and topography, and the current soil composition of its vineyards.
The soils are characterised mainly by the plio-quaternary and quaternary river deposits of the Garonne. Laid down as terraces, these deposits take the form of hills which are now located between 6 and 33 m above sea level. These are subdivided in part by the dense hydrographic network, which also allows drainage water to escape.
The quality and typical characteristics of Margaux wines stem from the exceptional complementarity between soils and their location in proximity to the estuary, which protects the vineyards from climatic excesses.
An analysis of the tax value of agricultural land according to the first land registers established between 1826 and 1830 shows that most of the vineyards were located on the gravel mounds of the low- and mid-level terraces, and that they corresponded to the highest tax rates. These areas also correspond to the highest-quality wines bearing the ‘Margaux’ designation. The vineyards that produce such wines are found on these terraces, their colluviums and their geological substratum of clay or limestone. For three centuries, there has been a demarcated parcel area of production as a result of the synthesis of the soil and the topographical, climatic and historical criteria conducive to the establishment of a highly renowned wine-growing region.
The famous 1855 classification, which was largely prefigured by Lawton’s, immortalised the future ‘Margaux’ designation, listing a unique range of 21 grands crus classés covering the entire range of the classification, with a growing area extending over the mid-level terraces. This recognition was supplemented in 1932 by the cru bourgeois classification, which rewarded 16 properties, with two crus bourgeois exceptionnels, eight crus bourgeois supérieurs and six crus bourgeois.
The continuing concern of the Margaux producers to affirm the unique nature of this wine-growing region can be seen in the safeguarding and improvement of age-old practices and the selection of the most suitable parcels and grape varieties. The ability of the local producers to express this potential means that Margaux is one of the most prestigious wine-growing areas in the world.
All wines with the ‘Margaux’ controlled designation of origin are still red wines. They have an intense red colour and an excellent capacity for ageing. These wines improve with ageing and are characterised by a finesse that is highlighted by scents of fruit.
Cabernet-Sauvignon N is the king of the Médoc varieties and accounts for almost 60 % of the areas under vines covered by the ‘Margaux’ designation. It gives the wine its structure, bouquet and ageing potential. Merlot N, an indispensable supplementary variety, only rarely accounts for more than 30 % of blends. It provides roundness and fullness together with aromatic complexity. The rarer Cabernet Franc N brings elegance and subtle spicy aromas. Petit Verdot N produces a wine with a certain fullness of colour, fruit and tannins.
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 making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde: Arcins, Avensan, Lamarque, Ludon-Médoc, Macau and Le Pian-Médoc.
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.
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 denoting the name of the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-e303df21-7cba-4e9b-9c6a-b1d80356019f


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.