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: 2026-06-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, rosé wine, still wine, white wine








C_202603249EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/3249


15.6.2026






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/2026/3249)

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

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


‘Côtes du Marmandais’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0683-AM04 – 2.4.2026
                  

1.   Name of product

‘Côtes du Marmandais’
2.   Geographical indication type







☑


PDO










☐


PGI




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 the application to meet 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 amendment of the ‘Côtes du Marmandais’ 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

Transitional measures

Description

The transitional measure for vineyard parcels with a planting density between 3 300 and 3 999 plants per hectare and between 2 000 and 3 299 plants per hectare has been extended until 2048, with a reduction in yield.
Despite the operators’ best efforts to bring planting densities into line with the requirements, some parcels have yet to comply with them. The transitional measure has therefore been extended to allow these long-standing operators of the designation to bring their parcels into line.
The producer group believes these vineyards have a high quality potential and are suited to producing the more high-end wines of the designation.
The maximum average crop load per parcel specifically for vineyards covered by the transitional measure in the product specification has been adjusted in line with the reduction in yield.






☐


The amendment affects the single document.





Title

Update of the Geographic Code

Description

The municipalities of the geographical area have been updated in accordance with the 2025 Official Geographic Code. The amendment does not alter the designation’s geographical area.






☑


The amendment affects the single document.




SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of wines


‘Côtes du Marmandais’


EU reference number: PDO-FR-A0683-AM04 – 2.4.2026
                  

1.   Name(s)

‘Côtes du Marmandais’
2.   Geographical indication type







☑


PDO










☐


PGI




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(s)


Grapevine product

Still red and rosé wines

Organoleptic characteristics


Visual appearance

The red wines are purple in colour. The rosé wines are generally bright in appearance.

Aroma

The red wines have aromas reminiscent of red fruit, developing a spicy, fine and delicate bouquet as they age. The rosé wines have aromas predominantly of raspberry and pear drops.

Taste

The wines are generous, balanced, round and fleshy in the mouth, with elegant, distinct tannins that make them pleasantly harmonious. The rosé wines are fine and light.

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


milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


—




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


—





Additional information regarding analytical characteristics

Maximum malic acid content (red wine): 0,4 g/l.
Fermentable sugar content: ≤ 4 g/l.
Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 10 %.






☑


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





Grapevine product

Still white wines

Organoleptic characteristics


Visual appearance

These are still white wines.

Aroma

Their aromas, reminiscent mainly of exotic fruits and white flowers, combine harmoniously with a lively and balanced mouthfeel.

Taste

The white wines are dry and generally round, lively and light with a long finish.

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


milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


—




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


—





Additional information regarding analytical characteristics

Fermentable sugar content: ≤ 4 g/l. The wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment does not exceed 13 %.






☑


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

Cultivation method

Description

The minimum vine planting density is 4 000 plants per hectare. The spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 2,50 m. The area available for each plant is up to 2,50 m2. This surface area is obtained by multiplying the spacing between the rows by the spacing between the plants. The vines are pruned using the following techniques: Guyot, Cordon de Royat or spur pruning. After debudding, each plant has a maximum of 15 buds. Irrigation may be authorised.

Winemaking practice

—

Type of oenological practice

Specific oenological practice

Description

For musts, oenological charcoal may be used in a proportion not exceeding 20 % of the total volume of rosé wines produced by the winemaker for any given harvest. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %. In addition to the above provisions, the wines must also comply with the requirements for winemaking practices laid down at EU level and in the Rural Code.
7.2.   Maximum yields


All wines / category / variety / type

Red wines

Maximum yield







Maximum yield


66




Maximum yield unit


hectolitres per hectare





All wines / category / variety / type

White wines

Maximum yield







Maximum yield


72




Maximum yield unit


hectolitres per hectare





All wines / category / variety / type

Rosé wines

Maximum yield







Maximum yield


70




Maximum yield unit


hectolitres per hectare




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







—


Abouriou B










—


Cabernet Franc N










—


Cabernet-Sauvignon N










—


Cot N – Malbec










—


Fer N – Fer Servadou, Braucol, Mansois, Pinenc










—


Gamay N










—


Merlot N










—


Muscadelle B










—


Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc










—


Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris










—


Semillon B










—


Syrah N – Shiraz




9.   Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made and developed in the following municipalities of the department of Lot-et-Garonne (based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2025): Beaupuy, Bouglon, Cambes, Castelnau-sur-Gupie, Caubon-Saint-Sauveur, Cocumont, Escassefort, Guérin, Lachapelle, Lagupie, Lévignac-de-Guyenne, Marcellus, Marmande, Mauvezin-sur-Gupie, Meilhan-sur-Garonne, Monteton, Montpouillan, Peyrière, Romestaing, Saint-Avit, Sainte-Bazeille, Saint-Géraud, Saint-Martin-Petit, Saint-Sauveur-de-Meilhan, Samazan, Seyches and Virazeil.
10.   Link with the geographical area


Category of the grapevine product







1.


Wine





Summary of the link

The hydrographic network of the geographical area has carved out deep hillsides, creating well-drained, well-exposed individual slopes well-suited to growing vines. The winery cooperatives realised the area’s potential early on, developing a policy of carefully selecting parcels. Today’s parcel demarcation reflects this early work, with only well-drained and well-exposed parcels selected for growing vines.
The south-easterly wind known as Autan blows during the grapes’ ripening period, favouring rapid development of the grapes and reducing plant-health problems.
On the left bank, Cabernet Franc N, Cabernet Sauvignon N, Abouriou N and Syrah N vines thrive on the very warm, well-drained gravelly soils of the high terrace.
The gravelly soils of the mid-level terraces are particularly well-suited to growing Merlot N vines due to their loamy-clayey matrix with slightly heavier and moister soils.
On the right bank, limestone or clay-limestone soils allow Merlot N, Abouriou N and Cot N vines to fully express their characteristics.
Having adapted perfectly to the area’s soil and climate, the Abouriou N variety, original and rare, gives blends a very distinct profile with fruity notes and a good structure.
Similarly, Cot N adds powerful and very fruity characteristics, while Abouriou N and Syrah N bring spicy nuances.
This range of varieties gives spicy, dense and deeply-coloured red wines, with excellent keeping qualities for some blends.
Rosé wines, fresh and fruity with a certain originality, are also produced using the same techniques as for red wines.
In white winemaking, ageing on the lees can be a technique that allows the Sauvignon B variety to express its distinct notes.
Until the early 20th century, the history of ‘Côtes du Marmandais’ wines was closely linked to that of Bordeaux wines.
In the second half of the 20th century, ‘Côtes du Marmandais’ wine came into its own both on the French and on European markets, thanks in particular to its recognition in 1955 as a vin délimité de qualité supérieure [wine of superior quality from a demarcated area].
Two iconic blends have been created by the two winery cooperatives:






—


Beaupuy has chosen the signature image of a cloister for one of its main cuveés to highlight the town’s history;










—


Cocumont’s Vieille Eglise’ [old church] cuvée bears the image of the old Roman church located close to the winery.




Many other blends, labels and châteaux have since been added to the product range.
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 immediate proximity, defined by derogation for making and developing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2025: Grignols and Saint-Michel-de-Lapujade.
The area in immediate proximity corresponds to an area in the immediate proximity of the relevant demarcated area in accordance with Article 5(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

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

Wines with the ‘Côtes du Marmandais’ protected designation of origin may specify the broader geographical unit ‘Sud-Ouest’ [‘South-West’] on their labels. This broader geographical unit may also feature on any leaflets or containers. The size of the letters for the broader geographical unit must not be larger, in either height or width, than the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.

Electronic reference (URL) to publication of the product specification


https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-cd0e75ca-72c9-4ff0-a9e0-4ea7e12e5700



(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/2026/3249/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)