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: 2026-05-08
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Centre-Val de Loire, France, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, rosé wine, still wine, white wine








C_202602624EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/2624


8.5.2026






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/2026/2624)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

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


‘Cheverny’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0164-AM04 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Name of product

‘Cheverny’
2.   Geographical indication type







☑


PDO










☐


PGI










☐


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


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 ‘Cheverny’ 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

Labelling

Description

The producer group for the Cheverny designation 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 development follows the communication guidelines adopted by the producers of Loire wines.
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 amendment affects the single document.




SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of wine


‘Cheverny’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0164-AM04 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Name(s)

‘Cheverny’
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 product as listed in Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013







1.


Wine




6.   Description of the wine or wines


Grapevine product

White wines

Organoleptic characteristics


Visual appearance

The ‘Cheverny’ protected designation of origin is reserved for still white wines.

Aroma

The white wines have aromas that are often dominated by notes of citrus fruit, tropical fruit or white flowers, sometimes with a hint of boxwood.

Taste

On the palate, their natural liveliness is balanced by a pleasant roundness.

Additional information regarding organoleptic characteristics

—

Analytical characteristics







Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):


12,5




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):


—




Minimum total acidity:


—




Minimum total acidity unit:


in milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):


—




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):


—





Additional information regarding analytical characteristics

The white wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10 %. After packaging, each batch of wine meets the following analytical standards: Fermentable sugar content of white and rosé wines: not more than 4 grams per litre (glucose + fructose). White and rosé wines with a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 13,5 %: not more than 6 grams per litre (glucose + fructose). The other analytical values comply, by default, with the EU legislation.






☑


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





Grapevine product

Red and rosé wines

Organoleptic characteristics


Visual appearance

The ‘Cheverny’ protected designation of origin is reserved for still red and rosé wines.

Aroma

The rosé wines typically have an expressive aromatic palette, with notes of red fruit and spices.
When young, most of the red wines have aromas dominated by red and black fruit, sometimes with a hint of spices.

Taste

The rosé wines are balanced on the palate, combining nervosity with a certain fatness.
The red wines have a delicate tannic structure, making them subtle wines. However, some wines that are a little more robust may be kept for a few years, after which they typically develop venison aromas.

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 red wines have a malic acid content of not more than 0,3 grams per litre and a fermentable sugar content of not more than 2 grams per litre. The rosé wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10 %. After packaging, each batch of wine meets the following analytical standards: Fermentable sugar content of rosé wines: not more than 4 grams per litre (glucose + fructose). Rosé wines with a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 13,5 %: not more than 6 grams per litre (glucose + fructose).






☑


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

Enrichment

Type of oenological practice:

Specific oenological practice

Description:

The white and rosé wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content of more than 4 grams per litre are produced without enrichment.

Winemaking practice

Making the rosé wines

Type of oenological practice:

Winemaking restriction

Description:

The use of oenological charcoal to make the rosé wines is forbidden, whether alone or mixed in preparations.

Winemaking practice

Training of the vines

Type of oenological practice:
Growing method

Description:

The minimum planting density of the vines is 4 500 plants per hectare, with a maximum distance of 2,10 metres between rows. The distance between plants in the same row is between 0,90 and 1,20 metres. The vines are pruned with a maximum of 13 buds per plant, using the following techniques: Guyot pruning with a single long cane and not more than two spurs; two half canes; spur pruning (fan pruning or Cordon de Royat).
7.2.   Maximum yields


All wines / category / variety / type

White wines

Maximum yield:







Maximum yield:


72




Maximum yield unit:


hectolitres per hectare





All wines / category / variety / type

Red and rosé wines

Maximum yield:







Maximum yield:


66




Maximum yield unit:


hectolitres per hectare




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







—


Chardonnay B










—


Chenin B










—


Gamay N










—


Orbois B










—


Pinot Noir N










—


Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc










—


Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris




9.   Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made and developed in the following municipalities in the department of Loir-et-Cher (list compiled on the basis of the 2024 Official Geographic Code and the 2023 land register): Candé-sur-Beuvron, Cellettes, Chambord, Cheverny, Chitenay, Le Controis-en-Sologne (territory of the delegated municipalities of Feings, Fougères-sur-Bièvre and Ouchamps), Cormeray, Cour-Cheverny, Fresnes, Huisseau-sur-Cosson, Maslives, Monthou-sur-Bièvre (cadastral sections E and ZB of the municipality), Les Montils, Montlivault, Mont-près-Chambord, Muides-sur-Loire, Saint-Claude-de-Diray, Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, Sambin, Seur, Tour-en-Sologne and Vineuil.
10.   Link with the geographical area


Category of grapevine product







1.


Wine





Summary of the link

The presence of thin soils that are difficult to till and produce low yields when planted with cereal crops but are suited to viticulture has been a determining factor in the location of the vineyards.
The geo-pedology of the demarcated parcel area, which is common to both the winegrowing soils that are predominantly sandy and those that have a limestone substrate, is strongly affected by the Loire (erosion and formation of terraces) and is unique compared to that of the other protected designations of origin of the Loire valley.
The Loire, a major historical communication route, has been an important axis for trade and commerce since at least antiquity. It has contributed to the spread of grape varieties and to their use locally, but above all it has played a decisive role in exporting the wine and in the development of the vineyards.
This role was strengthened at the end of the 16th century by the promulgation of the Twenty Leagues Edict and in the 17th century by the construction of the Orléans canal to connect the Loire to the Seine.
The presence of woods around the vineyards of the ‘Cheverny’ protected designation of origin is an important environmental factor and contributes to the coolness of the climate.
People have been able to adapt to these factors, choosing varieties suited to the area and blending practices that produce original wines. Thus, the presence of Pinot Noir N as the main grape variety for the red and rosé wines is explained by the fact that this early grape variety is well suited to the difficult climate for grapes and gives the wines a delicate structure. The varieties Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G give the wines their aromatic finesse, while the variety Chardonnay B, which is also an early variety, gives the white wines their fatness and roundness.
The ‘Cheverny’ protected designation of origin, which was recognised in 1993, is one of the most highly esteemed wines of Val de Loire. The producers have set up a Maison des Vins at the Château de Cheverny, which has over 300 000 annual visitors.
11.   Further applicable requirements


Title of the requirement/derogation

Provisions relating to labelling

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation

The size of the letters spelling the name ‘Vin de Loire’, which may supplement the designation of origin, must not be larger, either in height or in width, than two thirds of the size of the letters spelling the protected designation of origin itself.

Title of the requirement/derogation

Name of a smaller geographical unit

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation

The name of a smaller geographical unit may appear on the labels, provided that it is a registered location and appears on the harvest declaration.

Title of the requirement/derogation

Indication of the sugar content

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation

The labelling of white and rosé wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content of more than 9 grams per litre must indicate the fermentable sugar content of the wine, as defined by EU legislation.

Title of the requirement/derogation

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework

National 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 and development of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Loir-et-Cher: Bracieux, Chailles, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Contres, Fontaines-en-Sologne, Monthou-sur-Bièvre, Oisly, Pontlevoy, Saint-Gervais-la-Forêt, Soings-en-Sologne, Thenay and Valaire.
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.

Electronic (URL) reference to the publication of the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-5a98c628-fbe2-40ec-ab35-62f86a6e5867



(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/2026/2624/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)