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, still wine, white wine








C_202602623EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/2623


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/2026/2623)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

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


‘Cour-Cheverny’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0304-AM03 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Name of product

‘Cour-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.   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 ‘Cour-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 Cour-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


‘Cour-Cheverny’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0304-AM03 – 9.2.2026
                  

1.   Name(s)

‘Cour-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 wines are still white wines that are very lively when young.

Aroma

The bouquet often has aromas of citrus fruit, yellow-fleshed fruit or white flowers. Notes of rhubarb, spices or menthol can sometimes be detected.

Taste

The wines’ originality finds full expression as it matures, and after a few years they often reveal honey, lemon, wax or prune aromas, as well as sweet notes of oxidation, which are characteristics of the Romorantin B variety. When the wines contain fermentable sugars, this generally makes them even more complex and suitable for ageing.

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 dry wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %.
After packaging, the dry wines have a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content not exceeding 4 grams per litre and a total acidity, expressed in grams of tartaric acid per litre, that is not more than 2 grams per litre less than the fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content.
After packaging, wines with a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 13,5 % have a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content not exceeding 6 grams per litre.
After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the dry wines should not exceed 12,5 %. The total volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide contents are those laid down by EU legislation.
The medium-sweet and sweet wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 13,5 %.
After packaging, the medium-sweet and sweet wines have a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content greater than or equal to 20 grams per litre but not exceeding 45 grams per litre.
Medium-sweet wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content greater than or equal to 20 grams per litre are produced without enrichment. The total volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide contents are those laid down by EU legislation.






☑


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

—

Type of oenological practice:

Specific oenological practice

Description:

Wines with a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content exceeding 20 grams per litre are produced without enrichment. The use of wood chips is forbidden. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12,5 %. In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

Winemaking practice

—

Type of oenological practice:

Cultivation method

Description:







(a)


Planting density. 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.










(b)


Pruning rules. 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; short pruning (fan pruning or Cordon de Royat).




7.2.   Maximum yields


All wines / category / variety / type

Dry wines
Maximum yield:






Maximum yield:


72




Maximum yield unit:


hectolitres per hectare





All wines / category / variety / type

Medium-sweet and sweet wines
Maximum yield:






Maximum yield:


60




Maximum yield unit:


hectolitres per hectare




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







—


Romorantin B – Danery




9.   Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged in the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Loir-et-Cher: Cellettes, Cheverny, Chitenay, Cormeray, Cour-Cheverny, Huisseau-sur-Cosson, Montlivault, Mont-près-Chambord, Saint-Claude-de-Diray, Tour-en-Sologne and Vineuil.
10.   Link with the geographical area


Category of grapevine product







1.


Wine





Summary of the link







(a)


Description of the natural factors relevant to the link. The geographical area is located on the left bank of the River Loire and extends between the banks of the river to the north and the municipalities of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny to the south. It is bounded by the River Loire and the forest of Russy to the north-west and by the Grande Sologne to the east and south (in particular the unbroken area of trees in the park of Chambord and the forest of Cheverny). The forest is very important within the geographical area. Where the vineyard is not in close proximity to the Loire, it is located in the middle of clearings, between the many relatively large forested areas. The geographical area rests on a relatively gently undulating plateau, drained from east to west by two tributaries of the Loire, the Cosson and the Beuvron, and a few of their tributaries. The geological substratum consists mainly of Senonian silicate-clay formations, under the limestone of the Beauce region (Aquitanian), which is itself covered by the sandy-clay formations of Sologne (Burdigalian). Parts of the area are covered by the high terraces of the Loire and by windblown sand. The parcels that are precisely demarcated for the grape harvest have: soils with a predominantly sandy to sandy-clay texture that rest deep down on a clay layer (Sologne formations), or brown calcareous to brown calcic soils (Beauce limestone). The suboceanic climate has a continental aspect that is slightly stronger than for the protected designations of origin of the Loire valley further downstream in Touraine. It is a little drier (25–50 millimetres less annual rainfall) and markedly cooler (during the growing season, the average temperatures are 0,5 °C to 1 °C lower and minimum temperatures 1 °C lower). This climate is influenced locally by the wooded areas and the valleys of the Beuvron, the Cosson and their small tributaries.










(b)


Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link. Francis I is said to have had 80 000 seedlings of a white grape variety from Burgundy planted at his residence in Romorantin in 1519. This town about 40 kilometres south-east of Cour-Cheverny later gave its name to the variety. Recent genetic studies show that this grape variety stems from a cross between the Gouais B and Pinot Noir N varieties, as do other Burgundy varieties (Aligoté B, Auxerrois B, Chardonnay B, Gamay N and Melon B). This makes it very likely that the variety originates from Burgundy. The Parlement of Paris issued an edict in 1577 prohibiting Parisians from purchasing wines produced less than twenty leagues (88 kilometres) from the capital. To meet demand, the planting of vineyards was initially extended around Orléans, then further and further downstream in the direction of Blois and Tours. Later, the commissioning of a canal linking the Loire and the Seine in the 17th century facilitated the transport of wine. Plantings of high-yield grape varieties became ever more frequent and, in the 18th century, the Cassini map shows that an unbroken vineyard grew on both banks of the River Loire. However, unlike the old winegrowing region of Beauce (located on the other bank of the Loire), which was predominantly planted with the Teinturier N grape variety (an extremely strong and productive Teinturier grape variety known locally as ‘le gros noir’), the ‘Cour-Cheverny’ geographical area has preserved a high-quality winegrowing tradition, with the winegrowers remaining committed to growing the Romorantin B variety. This is an early-maturing grape variety whose hardiness is well adapted to the natural environment. When overripe, the variety can be used to make wines with variable amounts of fermentable sugars. It is not grown to a significant extent anywhere else, either in France or in the world. In 2008, the ‘Cour-Cheverny’ vineyards covered 60 hectares cultivated by 30 or so producers, who made a little more than 1 500 hectolitres. The wines are still white wines that are very lively when young. The bouquet often has aromas of citrus fruit, yellow-fleshed fruit or white flowers. Notes of rhubarb, spices or menthol can sometimes be detected. The wines’ originality finds full expression as it matures, and after a few years they often reveal honey, lemon, wax or prune aromas, as well as sweet notes of oxidation, which are characteristics of the Romorantin B variety. When the wines contain fermentable sugars, this generally makes them even more complex and suitable for ageing. The presence of poor 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 geology of the geographical area 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. In line with local customs, the demarcated parcel area consists of parcels with primarily sandy soils that are not very deep or fertile, have good drainage capacity and low water reserves. These parcels ensure good ripeness of the grapes. The winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards, one that benefits the Romorantin B variety, a rare and particular variety that contributes significantly to the originality of the wines’ aromatic profile. This is the only grape variety used to make wines bearing the protected designation of origin. Its hardiness and ability to adapt to the difficult natural environment of the geographical area have led the winemakers to use the variety when it is overripe to make sweet wines of great quality. Five centuries of commitment to this grape variety have made it possible for producers to highlight the recognised original characteristics of their products. This is done by optimally managing the vines and their production potential through training the vines and strict pruning rules. The ‘Cour-Cheverny’ protected designation of origin, which was recognised in 1993, is today one of the most highly esteemed wines of Val de Loire. To make these wines more widely known, the producers have established 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

Derogation concerning the geographical area

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 the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Loir-et-Cher: Candé-sur-Beuvron, Feings, Fougères-sur-Bièvre, Fresnes, Maslives, Les Montils, Muides-sur-Loire, Ouchamps, Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, Sambin, Seur and cadastral section E of the municipality of Monthou-sur-Bièvre.
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

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation







(a)


The grape variety does not appear on the labels below the name of the protected designation of origin.










(b)


Wine with a fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of at least 20 grams per litre must be described with the terms ‘medium-sweet’ or ‘sweet’ according to the fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content of the wine, as defined in the relevant EU legislation.










(c)


The optional terms are marked on the labels in letters that may not be larger, either in height or width, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.










(d)


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










(e)


Wines with the protected designation of origin may specify a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that it is a registered location and it appears on the harvest declaration.





Electronic (URL) reference to publication of the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-ee663adf-52c9-40bf-910f-b1d76ff4b80f



(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/2026/2623/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)