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: 2026-04-27
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_202602442EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/2442


27.4.2026






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/2026/2442)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

(Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143)


‘Anjou Brissac’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0259-AM03 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Product name

‘Anjou Brissac’
2.   Geographical indication type







☑


PDO










☐


PGI










☐


GI




3.   Sector







☐


Agricultural products










☑


Wines










☐


Spirit drinks




4.   Country to which the geographical area belongs

France
5.   National authority communicating the standard amendment


Name

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Directorate-General for the Economic and Environmental Performance of Enterprises
6.   Qualification as standard amendment

The French authorities consider that the application meets the requirements of Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013 and (EU) 2024/1143.
The amendments to this product specification are standard amendments as defined in Article 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
The application for an amendment to the ‘Anjou Brissac’ PDO 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)


Title

Special provisions: Labelling

Description

The producer group for the designation Anjou Brissac has decided to use a broader geographical unit to identify the wines, opting for the term ‘Vin de Loire’ instead of ‘Val de Loire’.
This change follows the communication guidelines adopted by Loire wine producers.
The aim is to make the identity clearer and align it more closely with the reality of the wines made by producers in the Loire basin.
The term ‘All optional terms...’ has been replaced by: ‘Optional terms whose use, under Community provisions, may be regulated by the Member States’.






☑


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Update of the Geographic Code

Description

The municipalities making up the geographical area, as well as the area in immediate proximity, have been updated in line with the 2021 Official Geographic Code. This amendment does not change the geographical area of the designation.






☑


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Planting density

Description

The minimum spacing between plants in the same row has been standardised at 0,90 metres for all PDOs of Anjou-Saumur.
A special provision provides for the possibility of reducing this spacing to 0,80 metres in certain exceptional circumstances.






☑


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Pruning rules

Description

The date for the end of pruning has been deleted.
The reference to the method of mixed pruning, along with the maximum number of buds on the cane, has also been deleted.
A new rule has been introduced, allowing the number of buds per plant to be increased at the time of pruning, subject to a limit on the number of fruit-bearing branches for the year, per plant, at the flowering stage.






☐


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Provisions on packaging

Description

The period for keeping analysis reports has been amended: previously, they had to be kept for six months from the date of packaging. From now on, analysis reports must be kept for a period of at least six months from the date of packaging.






☐


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

Description

In the description of natural factors relevant to the link, the date of 2018 has been corrected and replaced by 2021.






☑


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Transitional measures

Description

The date of 10 October 2019 has been specified. This is the date on which the product specification introducing this provision was approved.






☐


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

References

Description

The arrangements for checking compliance with the product specification have been amended.






☐


The amendment affects the single document.




SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of wines


‘Anjou Brissac’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0259-AM03 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Name(s)

‘Anjou Brissac’
2.   Geographical indication type







☑


PDO










☐


PGI










☐


GI




3.   Country to which the demarcated geographical area belongs

France
4.   Classification of the agricultural product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143


               2204  – Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009
5.   Categories of grapevine products as listed in Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013







1.


Wine




6.   Description of the wine(s)


Grapevine product

Red wines

Organoleptic characteristics


Visual appearance

This is a red wine made from the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties.
The deep ruby-red colour is signal of the wine’s richness.

Aroma/Nose

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.

Taste/Mouth

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.

Additional information regarding organoleptic characteristics

—

Analytical characteristics







Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):


—




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):


—




Minimum total acidity:


—




Minimum total acidity unit:


—




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):


—




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):


—





Additional information regarding analytical characteristics

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.






☑


Any analytical characteristics not indicated in this section are within the limits laid down in the applicable EU legislation.




7.   Winemaking practices

7.1.   Specific oenological practices used to make the wine or wines, relevant restrictions on making them


Winemaking practice

Planting density – Spacing

Type of oenological practice:

Cultivation method
Description:
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 0,90 metres.
Vineyard parcels where the spacing between plants in the same row is less than 0,90 metres but greater than or equal to 0,80 metres, and where the gradient is greater than 10 %, are entitled to use the protected designation of origin for their harvest.
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.

Winemaking practice

Irrigation

Type of oenological practice:

Cultivation method
Description:
Irrigation is prohibited.

Winemaking practice

—

Type of oenological practice:

Specific oenological practice
Description:
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.
7.2.   Maximum yields


All wines / category / variety / type

All wines

Maximum yield:







Maximum yield:


56




Maximum yield unit:


hectolitres per hectare




8.   Indication of the wine grape variety or varieties from which the wine or wines are produced







—


Cabernet Franc N










—


Cabernet Sauvignon N




9.   Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area

1.   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 2021 Official Geographic Code: Brissac Loire Aubance (only for the territory of the delegated municipalities of Brissac-Quincé, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Denée, Les Garennes sur Loire, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Saint-Melaine-surAubance and Soulaines-sur-Aubance.
Maps of the geographical area can be found on the website of the National Origin and Quality Institute.
2.   Demarcated parcel area

The wines must be made from grapes grown on parcels located in the production area as approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) at the meetings of the relevant national committee on 10 September 1997 and 13 and 14 February 2002, and at the meeting of the standing committee of the relevant national committee of 19 January 2017.
The National Institute of Origin and Quality submits the maps establishing the boundaries of the parcels of the production area thus approved to the town halls of the municipalities listed in paragraph 1.
10.   Link with the geographical area


Category of the grapevine product







1.


Wine





Summary of the link

1.   Information on 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 2021, 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 winegrowers 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’.
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 a signal 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.
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.
11.   Further applicable requirements


Title of the requirement/derogation


Area in immediate proximity


Legal framework

EU legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the requirement/derogation

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 2021:






—


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










—


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










—


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










—


department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon, Bellevigne-les-Châteaux, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice, Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brissac Loire Aubance (only the territory of the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne and Saulgé-l’Hôpital), Brossay, Cernusson, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (only the territory of the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou, Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye and Gennes-Val-de-Loire (only the territories of the delegated municipality of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé-Lézigné (only the territory of the delegated municipality of Huillé), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (only the territory of the former municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (only the territory of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon, Mauges-sur-Loire (only the territories of the delegated municipality 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 (only the territory of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Orée d’Anjou (only the territory 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, Rives-de-Loir-en-Anjou, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, 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, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou, Tuffalun, Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie and Verrières-en-Anjou;










—


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




In accordance with Article 5(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, the area in immediate proximity corresponds to an area in the immediate proximity of the demarcated area in question.

Title of the requirement/derogation

Labelling

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation

Optional terms whose use, under EU rules, may be regulated by the Member States must be printed on the labels in letters that are no larger, in height or width, than twice the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin. The name of the protected designation of origin may be followed by the geographical name ‘Vin de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification. The geographical name ‘Vin 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.

Electronic (URL) reference to publication of the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-62da88eb-a5b8-471d-9cdc-e7a3f5367a6e



(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/2026/2442/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)