Publication of the communication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a geographical indication in accordance with Article 5(4) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27
Date: 2025-10-07
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, France, Loire Region, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, red wine, rosé wine, white wine








C_202505422EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2025/5422


7.10.2025






Publication of the communication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a geographical indication in accordance with Article 5(4) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 (1)

(C/2025/5422)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT
(Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143)


               ‘Val de Loire’
            


PGI-FR-A1225-AM03 – 10.7.2025
            

1.   Name of product


               ‘Val de Loire’
            
2.   Geographical indication type







☐


Protected designation of origin (PDO)










☒


Protected geographical indication (PGI)










☐


Geographical indication (GI)




3.   Sector







☐


Agricultural products










☒


Wines










☐


Spirit drinks




4.   Country to which the geographical area belongs

France
5.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’agroalimentaire et de la forêt [Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry]
Direction générale de la performance économique et environnementale des entreprises [Directorate-General for Economic and Environmental Performance of Enterprises]
Bureau du vin et des autres boissons [Office for Wines and Other Drinks]
6.   Qualification as standard amendment

The amendments to this product specification are standard amendments as defined in Article 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
The application for amendment to the ‘Val de Loire’ PGI does not involve any of the three situations constituting a Union amendment; specifically, it does not:






(a)


include a change in the name or in the use of the name, or in the category of product or products designated by the geographical indication;










(b)


risk voiding the link to the geographical area;










(c)


entail further restrictions on the marketing of the product.




The French authorities therefore consider that the application is for a standard amendment.
7.   Description of the approved standard amendment(s)

1.   Decompartmentalisation of different coloured grape varieties

The reason given by the producer group for this request is to promote innovation in winemaking and allow blending of colours (rosé wine with white grape varieties, black grape varieties for blanc de noir, etc.). The wines produced by these winemaking processes are enjoying a certain popularity among wine enthusiasts.
The single document is not affected.
2.   Addition of new wine grape varieties

New varieties are being added in order to adapt to climate change and respond to changing societal demands by continuing the work started in 2018 to integrate varieties that are tolerant to the main vine diseases.
This affects the following point(s) of the single document: ‘Wine grape variety(ies)’ and ‘Link with the geographical area’.
3.   Bringing forward the claim date

The product specification (section headed ‘Declaration requirements’) has been amended to bring the claim date forward to 31 July of year N+1 instead of 31 December of year N+1 following the year of harvest.
This amendment is intended to increase consistency between internal and external checks, improve clarity with regard to the PGI volumes claimed for a given production year and facilitate management of invoicing and statistics for the producer group.
The single document is not affected.
4.   Addition of partial dealcoholisation

The producer group for the PGI is requesting the addition of partial dealcoholisation to the product specification for PGI ‘Val de Loire’. In order to respond to social trends and changes in consumption patterns, producers of the PGI wish to offer another product in addition to the existing PGI product, thereby diversifying their range of products under this PGI.
The reason given by the producer group for this request is the change in social trends and consumption patterns. Growing health consciousness, increased awareness of the effects of alcohol and the fact that an increasing number of French people are choosing to live a healthier lifestyle have all led to a drop in consumption. Furthermore, consumers’ tastes have changed.
The introduction of partial dealcoholisation of the wines involves the following proposed amendments to the product specification for PGI ‘Val de Loire’:






—


types of product: addition of partially dealcoholised still red, rosé and white wines;










—


analytical standards: addition of a minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume of between 6 % and 8,5 % for partially dealcoholised wines in area B and between 6 % and 9 % in area C;










—


organoleptic characteristics: description of the partially dealcoholised wines;










—


geographical area / area in immediate proximity: the grapes are harvested and the partially dealcoholised wines made, developed and dealcoholised throughout the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity for PGI ‘Val de Loire’;










—


vine varieties: the partially dealcoholised wines are produced from all the varieties listed in the product specification for PGI ‘Val de Loire’;










—


maximum production yields: the partially dealcoholised wines are produced subject to the maximum yield per hectare provided for in the product specification for PGI ‘Val de Loire’, namely 90 hl/ha;










—


dealcoholisation processes: all dealcoholisation processes authorised by the regulation are permitted;










—


link with the geographical area: the link with the geographical area has been amended to include the following:






—


in the section headed ‘Specificity of the product’: the characteristics of the partially dealcoholised wines;










—


in the section headed ‘Causal link’: a reference to partially dealcoholised wines (reputation and link with the area);














—


conditions governing presentation and labelling: the words ‘Partially dealcoholised wine’ are mandatory and must appear in the same visual field as the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’;










—


declaration requirements: a declaration for wines destined for dealcoholisation has been added;










—


main points for checking: the wines destined for dealcoholisation treatment must be subjected to systematic checks, as must the partially dealcoholised wines.




This affects the following point(s) of the single document: ‘Description of the wines’, ‘Demarcated geographical area’, ‘Link with the geographical area’ and ‘Further conditions’.
5.   Demarcated geographical area

The list of municipalities in the geographical area has been updated. The demarcated geographical area itself remains unchanged.
This affects the following point(s) of the single document: ‘Demarcated geographical area’ and ‘Further conditions’.
6.   Deletion of the annex on EU analytical standards

The annex on EU analytical standards applicable to wines bearing the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’ has been deleted from the product specification, as those standards merely reiterate the EU legislation in force.
The single document is not affected.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Val de Loire
2.   Geographical indication type

PGI – protected geographical indication
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 ‘Val de Loire’ PGI covers still and partially dealcoholised red, rosé, white and vin gris wines. The wines have an actual alcoholic strength by volume of ≥ 8,5 % vol. in area B and ≥ 9 % vol. in area C. After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the red wines must not exceed 12,5 %. Partially dealcoholised wines with the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’ have an actual alcoholic strength by volume of between 6 % and 8,5 % vol. in area B and between 6 % and 9 % vol. in area C. Malolactic fermentation must have finished when the red wines are released for consumption, except for ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new) wines. The ‘Val de Loire’ PGI may be granted to wines which have been produced without any enrichment and have a total alcoholic strength by volume of between 15 % vol. and 20 % vol., except for wines produced within the geographical area on parcels also planted with the Chenin B variety in the departments of Maine-et-Loire and Indre-et-Loire. The other analytical characteristics are as laid down by EU legislation. By way of derogation, the volatile acidity of white wines with a fermentable sugar content of ≥ 45 g/l is as laid down by joint order of the Minister for Consumer Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture. The other analytical standards are in line with those laid down by EU legislation. The wines are characterised by the fruity aromas that are often present, although their intensity and nature vary depending on the grape varieties and technologies used. The winemaking methods used for the white, rosé and vin gris wines bring out their fruity and floral notes while preserving a certain freshness. For the red wines, the winemaking process produces a supple structure. The partially dealcoholised wines retain the distinguishing characteristics of the ‘Val de Loire’ PGI. They are expressive and characterised by fruity or floral aromas, but lighter, shorter and less structured in the mouth, depending on the varieties and the winemaking and dealcoholisation techniques used. The partially dealcoholised white, rosé and vin gris wines combine fruity and floral aromas and a certain freshness. The partially dealcoholised red wines have a supple structure and light 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.   Winemaking practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   General rule
Specific oenological practice
All oenological practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.
5.2.   Maximum yields

90 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are made, developed and partially dealcoholised in: – the following departments: Allier, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Sarthe, Vendée, Vienne; – all except the following municipalities in the department of Deux-Sèvres: Asnières-en-Poitou, Beauvoir-sur-Niort, Belleville, Boisserolles, Le Bourdet, Brieuil-sur-Chizé, Brioux-sur-Boutonne, Chérigné, Chizé, Ensigné, Les Fosses, La Foye-Monjault, Granzay-Gript, Juillé, Luché-sur-Brioux, Lusseray, Marigny, Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon, Paizay-le-Chapt, Périgné, Priaires, Prin-Deyrançon, Prissé-la-Charrière, La Rochénard, Saint-Etienne-la-Cigogne, Saint-Georges-de-Rex, Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud, Secondigné-sur-Belle, Séligné, Thorigny-sur-le-Mignon, Usseau, Vernoux-sur-Boutonne, Le Vert, Villefollet, Villiers-en-Bois, Villiers-sur-Chizé.
7.   Wine grape variety(ies)

Abouriou B
Artaban N
Cabernet Cortis N
Cabernet Franc N
Cabernet-Sauvignon N
Chardonnay B
Chasselas B
Chenin B
Cot N – Malbec
Egiodola N
Floreal B
Folle Blanche B
Gamay N
Gamay de Bouze N
Gamay de Chaudenay N
Grolleau N
Grolleau Gris G
Melon B
Merlot N
Meunier N
Négrette N
Opalor
Orbois B
Pineau d’Aunis N
Pinot Blanc B
Pinot Gris G
Pinot Noir N
Sacy B
Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris
Select B
Sirano
Soreli B
Souvignier Gris Rs
Vidoc N
Viognier B
Voltis B
8.   Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of production comprises 14 departments in the Loire river basin, stretching from the Massif Central to the Loire estuary in the area around Nantes. From the ancient landscapes of the Armorican Massif in the Nantes and Anjou areas and the white chalk of Saumur and Touraine to the volcanic rocks of Monts d’Auvergne, the Loire flows through some very diverse soil geomorphologies. Overall, the climate of the Loire valley is temperate, with an oceanic influence in the region around Nantes and in Anjou, giving way to a continental influence in Touraine and a semi-continental influence in the Centre-Loire Region. The vineyards benefit from regular rainfall throughout the year and mild temperatures with no extreme highs or lows. Although the climatic conditions and soil geomorphology are very diverse, its northern location and overall climate give the Loire valley as a whole a homogeneous character. Historically, vines were first planted by the Romans, mainly in the region around Nantes. Winegrowing really took off from the 5th century and flourished when Henry II, Count of Anjou, succeeded to the throne of England in 1154. The Loire was an excellent transport route, which encouraged the planting of vineyards along its banks and the trade in wines. The arrival of the railway in the 19th century put the winegrowers of the Loire valley in competition with other French winegrowers, encouraging them to focus on quality. The ‘Vins de Pays’ wine classification was set up in 1968, and the Decree of 16 December 1981 saw the birth of a regional ‘Vin de Pays’ in the Loire river basin, namely ‘Vins de Pays du Jardin de la France’. By Decree of 12 May 2007, Loire valley wines ceased to be a mere historical identity and became a real geographical identity, with ‘Vins de Pays du Jardin de la France’ becoming ‘Vins de Pays du Val de Loire’. The annual production of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines has reached 400 000 hl in recent years and can be broken down into three colours (white, red and rosé). It is a prime location for white wines, which predominate, accounting for 53 % of the volume declared, while red and rosé wines account for 27 % and 20 % respectively. Almost 90 % of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are single variety, and the 38 varieties used are those traditionally grown in the region. PGI ‘Val de Loire’ is made from internationally known varieties, the main ones being Sauvignon B, Chardonnay B, Chenin B, Gamay N, Pinot Noir N, Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet-Sauvignon N, and also from local varieties, such as Grolleau Gris G, Grolleau N, Melon B and Pineau d’Aunis N. The quality and origin of the grapes are ensured by means of defined production conditions, precise analytical parameters and sensory testing. The white wines, which are mostly dry, are characterised by their freshness and their delicate fruity and floral aromas. The rosé and vin gris wines are light and frisky, while the red wines are light in structure, sometimes full-bodied, and are characterised by their suppleness and freshness. PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines may also bear the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’, mainly when made from the varieties Sauvignon B et Gamay N. These wines are fresh and fruity, aromatic and light. Wines destined for partial dealcoholisation have the characteristics of the PGI. The dealcoholisation processes bring out the authenticity of the Val de Loire grape varieties. Partially dealcoholised white PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are characterised by their finesse, elegance and typical Val de Loire aromas. Partially dealcoholised rosé and vin gris PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are fresh and aromatic, while the partially dealcoholised red wines have light tannins. Winemakers have been able to preserve the winegrowing tradition and identity of this region, where the climate along the Loire is ideal for vines. The region’s vineyards bear witness to the unchanging, age-old winegrowing practices that have been handed down through generations of winegrowers. The long-established reputation of ‘Val de Loire’ wines is also built on trade, facilitated in times past by navigation of the river Loire. The vine varieties used to make PGI ‘Val de Loire’ are well-adapted to the diverse climates and soils of this vast region. Although the main focus has been on the production of white wines, the introduction of new varieties and the technological developments made by winegrowers have more recently favoured the production of red wines. Since their creation in 1981, the focus of the ‘Vins de Pays’ from the Loire valley has been on high-quality production and the professional training of producers. Thanks to its winegrowers, wine cooperatives and wine merchants, PGI ‘Val de Loire’ is of considerable economic importance to the Loire valley’s wine industry. The longstanding expertise in the art of winegrowing and winemaking that lies at the heart of these extensive, historic vineyards has made it possible to develop a substantial network of centres for scientific and technical research in this sector and higher education in the field of winegrowing. In return, the results of research and the level of training of professionals in the field have given PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines a boost. The development of wine tourism in this region, which has considerable historical heritage (with a large number of châteaux) and is classed as a UNESCO world heritage site, has helped to enhance the reputation of PGI ‘Val de Loire’. When faced with challenges, producers in the Loire valley, including those making PGI wines, have always demonstrated resilience and considerable adaptability, in particular to meet market demands from consumers looking for new types of products. PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines are innovative and creative. They are distinguished by their strong links to the area. The partially dealcoholised wines are thus giving PGI ‘Val de Loire’ renewed organoleptic momentum and contributing to the reputation of these wines in a region with a strong dynamic of wine tourism.
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 and development of wines, and the dealcoholisation of partially dealcoholised wines, with the ‘Val de Loire’ protected geographical indication, comprises the following districts and municipalities bordering the geographical area:






—


districts in the department of Mayenne: Château-Gontier, Laval, Mayenne;










—


the following municipalities in the department of Deux-Sèvres: Asnières-en-Poitou, Beauvoir-sur-Niort, Belleville, Boisserolles, Le Bourdet, Brieuil-sur-Chizé, Brioux-sur-Boutonne, Chérigné, Chizé, Ensigné, Les Fosses, La Foye-Monjault, Granzay-Gript, Juillé, Luché-sur-Brioux, Lusseray, Marigny, Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon, Paizay-le-Chapt, Périgné, Priaires, Prin-Deyrançon, Prissé-la-Charrière, La Rochénard, Saint-Etienne-la-Cigogne, Saint-Georges-de-Rex, Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud, Secondigné-sur-Belle, Séligné, Thorigny-sur-le-Mignon, Usseau, Vernoux-sur-Boutonne, Le Vert, Villefollet, Villiers-en-Bois, Villiers-sur-Chizé.





Labelling rules

Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the following smaller geographical units: Allier, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Nièvre, Sarthe, Vendée, Vienne, Marches de Bretagne and Pays de Retz, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.
The size of the letters used for the smaller geographical units may not be larger, either in height or in width, than those used for the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’.
The protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the terms ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’.
The protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’ may be supplemented by the name of one or more grape varieties.
The names ‘Sauvignon’ and ‘Grolleau’ may be used on the label of PGI ‘Val de Loire’ wines to refer to wines produced from a blend of Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G grapes and wines produced from a blend of Grolleau N and Grolleau Gris G grapes, respectively.
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’.
The words ‘Partially dealcoholised wine’ must appear on the label of partially dealcoholised wines with the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’. They must appear in the same visual field as the protected geographical indication ‘Val de Loire’.

Link to the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-d2e88ee4-e7eb-4c2c-b1d9-d7c981ffb8f7



(1)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 of 30 October 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules concerning the registration and the protection of geographical indications, traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms and repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (OJ L, 2025/27, 15.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/27/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/5422/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)