Publication of an application for approval of a Union amendment to a product specification for a protected designation of origin in the wine sector pursuant to Article 97(3) in conjunction with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Date: 2025-04-14
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Loire Region, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, still wine








C_202502270EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2025/2270


14.4.2025






Publication of an application for approval of a Union amendment to a product specification for a protected designation of origin in the wine sector pursuant to Article 97(3) in conjunction with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(C/2025/2270)

Within three months from the date of this publication, the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in a third country, may lodge, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), an opposition with the Commission.
APPLICATION FOR A UNION AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION


                     ‘Anjou Villages Brissac’
                  


PDO-FR-A0259-AM02


Date of application: 19 May 2020
                  

1.   Applicant and legitimate interest

Fédération viticole de l'Anjou et de Saumur (Anjou and Saumur winegrowers’ union)
The group is a professional union governed by the Labour Code. It comprises operators who make the harvest declaration and deal with the specification.
2.   Heading in the product specification relating to the amendment(s)







☒


Product name










☐


Category of the grapevine product










☒


Link










☐


Marketing restrictions




3.   Description of and reasons for amendment

1.   Name of the designation
The paragraph under Chapter I(I) of the specification has been replaced by: ‘Only those wines complying with the specific conditions set out below can be considered eligible for the protected designation of origin “Anjou Brissac”, first recognised under the name “Anjou Villages Brissac” by the Decree of 17 February 1998.’
               
Deleting the word ‘Villages’ reduces the risk of confusing protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Brissac’ products with those bearing the neighbouring protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Villages’. There is no hierarchical link between the two. Simplifying the name of the protected designation of origin to ‘Anjou Brissac’ reinforces the link with the origin by highlighting the geographical identity of the name. It demonstrates high quality requirements and, by strengthening the name’s reputation, is a step towards the future recognition of 'Brissac' as a PDO
In addition, the following paragraph has been added under the link section: ‘In 2017, the growing reputation of wines from the geographical area led operators to request that the name of the designation be changed to “Anjou Brissac” in order to reinforce its identity and better distinguish it from the protected designation of origin “Anjou Villages”.
Points 1 and 8 of the single document, on the designation, have been amended accordingly.
2.   Link with the geographical area
The link with the origin has been supplemented to clarify the causal interactions between climate, the topography and the characteristics of the wine.
Thus a reference to the ruby colour of the wines as well as the following paragraph have been added:

                  “The combination of shallow soils on clearly demarcated land parcels that demonstrate the methods in use, low rainfall, a warm climate and a topography that provides outstanding exposure and contributes to a regular water supply result in a concentration of the grape constituents, which gives the wine its ample character and aromatic persistence.”
               
Point 8 of the single document has been amended accordingly.
3.   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 merely an editorial amendment.
This amendment has not required any changes to the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Product name

Anjou Brissac
2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – protected designation of origin
3.   Categories of grapevine products







1.


Wine




3.1.   Combined Nomenclature code







—


22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR

                        2204  – Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009




4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
The wines are still red wines with the following main analytical characteristics:
The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %.
Malolactic fermentation is obligatory. Wines ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a malic acid content that does not exceed 0,4 grams per litre.
The maximum fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) of the wines after fermentation is set at 3 grams per litre.
The minimum actual alcoholic strength complies with the limit imposed by EU legislation. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 12,5 %.
The total volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide contents are those laid down by EU legislation.
Wines are matured at the wine-making premises at least until 30 June of the year following that of the harvest.
This is a red wine made from the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties. The deep ruby-red colour is preview of the wine's richness. It is generally complex on the nose, with a combination of red or black fruits and aromas that evoke spices, game or indeed woody notes. In the mouth, the wines are ample and unctuous, all the while preserving their aromatic richness. The soft tannins are very much in evidence and the finish is long.






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.   Winemaking practices

a.   Essential oenological practices









1.


Planting density - Spacing
Cultivation method
The minimum planting density is 4 000 vines per hectare. The spacing between vine rows must not exceed 2,50 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre. In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3 300 but less than 4 000 plants per hectare, the harvests are eligible for the protected designation of origin provided that they comply with the rules on trellising and foliage height laid down in this specification. On such parcels, the rows must not be spaced more than 3 metres apart, and the vines making up each row must be spaced at least 1 metre apart.












2.


Irrigation
Cultivation method
Irrigation is prohibited.












3.


Specific oenological practice
Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used; the use of wood chips is prohibited; after enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 12,5 %.
In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices adopted for the wines must comply with the obligations laid down in EU legislation and in the Rural and Fisheries Code.




b.   Maximum yields









1.


56 hectolitres per hectare




6.   Demarcated geographical area

All steps in production must take place in the geographical area comprising the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Maine-et-Loire, based on the 2018 Official Geographic Code: Brissac Loire Aubance (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Brissac-Quincé, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Denée, Les Garennes sur Loire (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance and Soulaines-sur-Aubance.
Maps of the geographical area can be found on the website of the National Origin and Quality Institute.
7.   Main wine grape variety(ies)

Cabernet Franc N
Cabernet Sauvignon N
8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Description of the geographical area

a)   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link
The geographical area for the protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Brissac’ lies on a vast shale or shale/sandstone plateau in the Armorican Massif sloping gently down towards the Loire. The landscape is characterised by numerous low and gentle slopes of varying orientations, with altitudes ranging between 50 and 90 metres. As of 2018, the geographical area overlaps with that of the protected designation of origin ‘Coteaux de l’Aubance’ and extends across seven municipalities south-west of the city of Angers.
The geographical area is bordered to the west by the confluence of the River Aubance with the Loire; to the east by a Cretaceous plateau on which limestone soils have formed (boundary of the Paris Basin); to the north by the course of the Loire; and at the southern edge by the forests of Brissac and Beaulieu. The Aubance is a small tributary of the Loire, emblematic of this geographical area. It flows northwards from its source to the municipality of Brissac-Quincé, which is famous for its sixteenth century castle. The Aubance then takes a north-west course as far as the municipality of Mûrs-Erigné from where it flows parallel to the Loire.
The soils that have developed on the schist substratum are usually shallow with good thermal performance and are characterised by limited water reserves. The western part of the geographical area is studded with subvolcanic rocks formed of igneous rocks of an acidic (rhyolite) or basaltic (spilite) nature producing very stony soils. A foundation of schist and slate formations is a characteristic of the municipalities in the north of the geographical area. For centuries these were used to build the walls of houses, to construct roofs, to lay tiles and even to make fixtures such as sinks, tables or staircases. All of this demonstrates the unique nature of this land. These elements are very apparent in the landscape and contribute to vineyard identity. The eastern part of the geographical area, on the other hand, lies on Cenomanian formations overlying the Precambrian outcrops.
The geographical area is an enclave with limited irrigation. It benefits from a foehn effect and is sheltered from maritime mists by the higher slopes of Choletais and Mauges. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimetres, compared with nearly 800 millimetres in Choletais. The figures recorded in Brissac-Quincé are the lowest among the meteorological stations in the department of Maine-et-Loire. Similarly, during the growing cycle, there is a difference in rainfall levels of around 100 millimetres compared with the rest of the department. The average annual temperatures are relatively high, around 12 °C, which is 1 °C higher than for the department of Maine-et-Loire as a whole. The characteristic mesoclimate of this area is evident in the Mediterranean nature of the vegetation, which includes holm oak and umbrella pine.
b)   Description of the human factors relevant to the link
Some of the emblematic properties of the vineyards are of ancient origin, as recorded by Guillory senior in the ‘Bulletin de la Société Agricole et Industrielle d'Angers’ (‘Angers Agricultural and Industrial Company Bulletin’) in 1865. He explained that ‘Breton plant’ (thus named because the plant had been introduced by boat through the Loire estuary, which belonged to the Breton region at the time) was planted in the municipality of Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance. This plant is none other than the Cabernet Franc N variety, which spread rapidly after the phylloxera crisis that destroyed over three-quarters of the vineyards in Anjou.
In the early 20th century, wine-making efforts were mostly focused on making ‘rouget’, the local name for light wines served in the cafés. The making of red wine started in the 20th century, when the Brissac cooperative winery was set up. It was also at that time that plantings of the Cabernet Sauvignon N variety developed. It is a late-ripening variety that grows in shallow soils.
The protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Villages’ was recognised on 14 November 1991, on the initiative of and with the backing, ever since 1979, of wine growers from the Brissac region. Over an area covering 46 municipalities in the geographical area of the protected designation of origin ‘Anjou’, specific parcel boundaries and strict production rules were put in place for the production of a well-structured red wine bottled in early summer and aged to ensure that the tannins would be refined.
However, the winemakers of the Brissac region were always convinced that their land and know-how would leave a mark on the originality of their red wine production. After tirelessly seeking the best possible match between variety and planting site, and by optimising vine-pruning and training techniques, harvesting at optimum ripeness, and making technical enhancements to temperature control and maceration times, these winegrowers received recognition for the protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Villages Brissac’ on 17 February 1998.
In 2017, the growing reputation of wines from the geographical area led operators to request that the name of the designation be changed to ‘Anjou Brissac’ in order to reinforce its identity and better distinguish it from the protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Villages’.
8.2.   Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

This is a red wine made from the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties.
The deep ruby-red colour is preview of the wine's richness. It is generally complex on the nose, with a combination of red or black fruits and aromas that evoke spices, game or indeed woody notes. In the mouth, the wines are ample and unctuous, all the while preserving their aromatic richness. The soft tannins are very much in evidence and the finish is long.
It is a generous wine that benefits from being left for five or six years before tasting.
8.3.   Causal interactions

The combination of shallow soils on clearly demarcated land parcels that demonstrate the methods in use, low rainfall, a warm climate and a topography that provides outstanding exposure and contributes to a regular water supply result in a concentration of the grape constituents, which gives the wine its ample character and aromatic persistence. These conditions have allowed the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties to achieve their full expression and originality. These viticultural conditions require optimal management of the vines and their production potential, in the form of vine training and strict pruning rules. Winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards, favouring shallow soils for the Cabernet Sauvignon N variety, while the Cabernet Franc N variety is planted mostly in clay-limestone soils that originated in the Cenomanian period or brown soils that developed on schist and have better water reserves.
The expertise of the operators ensures that grapes are harvested with a minimum sugar content of 189 grams per litre and at an optimal stage of phenolic ripeness. Over the generations, the operators have successfully adapted their wine-making techniques to bring the best out of the grapes. Early on, a post-fermentation period in the tank was introduced to produce a wine with complex aromas, and above all, to ensure that the tannins become round and smooth. To achieve these goals, a minimum maturation period up to 30 June of the year following the harvest year was laid down in the specification.
The protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Villages’ is one of the most highly esteemed wines in the Anjou region. A special wine-tasting event brings together winegrowers and professionals from the wine sector to select the wine that is most representative of the protected designation of origin ‘Anjou Brissac’- the ‘cuvée ambassadeur’. This has understandably become an unmissable event that, for the vintage tasted, establishes the reputation of the red wines from the Anjou region.
9.   Specific further requirements (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Legal framework:
EU 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 producing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2018:






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department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Bouillé-Loretz, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay and Val en Vignes (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);










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department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;










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department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipality of Anetz) and Vallet;










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department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Blaison-Gohier and Saint-Sulpice), Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne and Saulgé-l’Hôpital), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (former territories of the municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné, Montfort, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and les Verchers-sur-Layon), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Gennes-Val-de-Loire (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (former territory of the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (former territory of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant, La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné, Trémont and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (former territories of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire, La Pommeraye, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (former territory of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Orée d’Anjou (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Savennières, Soucelles, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Ambillou-Château, Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay), Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou (former territories of the delegated municipalities of Pellouailles-les-Vignes and Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou) and Villevêque;










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department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay and Les Trois-Moutiers.





Labelling

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
All optional terms are marked on the labels in letters that are not be larger, either in height or width, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.
The name of the protected designation of origin may be followed by the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.
The geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ is printed in letters that are no larger, either in height or in width, than two thirds the size of the letters forming the name of the registered designation of origin.
Wines with the protected designation of origin may specify on their labels the name of a smaller geographical unit, provided that it is a registered location and appears on the harvest declaration. The name of the registered location is printed in letters that are no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-856e79cf-f9de-43e9-af7b-82d623f0e8c8



(1)  Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143, 23.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/2270/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)