This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Bourg / Côtes de Bourg / Bourgeais’

PDO-FR-A0828-AM03

Date of communication: 5.9.2023

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Official Geographic Code

The list of municipalities making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity has been updated in line with the Code officiel géographique [Official Geographic Code].

This is a purely editorial change and does not alter the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity.

Points 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended.

2.   Ageing

The provisions requiring ageing to take place in the area and on the duration of ageing have been deleted from the product specification.

Points 2, 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended.

3.   Introduction of varieties for adaptation purposes

The varieties Carmenère N and Petit Verdot N have been added to the grape variety mix for red wines for adaptation purposes.

The proportion of the above varieties may not exceed 5 % of the vines of a holding or 10 % of the blend for the colour in question.

The single document is not affected.

4.   Spacing between plants – pruning

The minimum distance between the vines in a row has been reduced from 0,85 m to 0,80 m.

A specific pruning rule, Guyot with one arm, has been laid down for vines where the spacing between plants is less than 0,85 m.

The minimum plantation density remains unchanged at 4 500 plants per hectare.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended.

5.   Agri-environmental provisions

The following environmental provisions have been added:

—	Dead vines must be removed from the parcels. No dead vines may be kept on the parcels;

—	Full chemical weed control is prohibited on parcels;

—	All producers must calculate and record their treatment frequency index.

These amendments are designed to take better account of the environment and of societal demands for less use of plant protection products.

The single document is not affected.

6.   Vineyard installation and planting

A requirement has been added for winegrowers, before planting any new vines, to carry out a physico-chemical soil analysis of the parcel in order to obtain all the information necessary to understand the winegrowing location and its potential.

The single document is not affected.

7.   Date of packaging

The provision specifying the date from which packaging is possible has been deleted.

The single document is not affected.

8.   Declaration prior to packaging

The derogation for ‘small bulk’ (‘bulk to consumer’) has been deleted.

This amendment means that the operators concerned are now subject to the ordinary rules and are required to submit a declaration during the 5 working days before packaging takes place.

The single document is not affected.

9.   Circulation between authorised warehouses

The date from which the wines may be circulated between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

The single document is not affected.

10.   Reference to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording used in other product specifications. This is a purely editorial amendment.

The single document is not affected.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Bourg / Côtes de Bourg / Bourgeais

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   Still red wines

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 . Every batch of red wine sold has a malic acid content of ≤ 0,3 g/l. After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %. Before being packaged, the wines have: a fermentable sugar content of ≤ 3 g/l; a total SO2 content of ≤ 140 mg/l; a volatile acidity content of ≤ 13,26 meq/l until 31 July of the year following the harvest and ≤ 16,33 meq/l after that date. The other analytical standards comply with EU rules.

The red wines, mostly a blend of the varieties Merlot N and Cabernet Sauvignon N and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc N, or even Cot N (known locally as Malbec), are generous, structured and aromatic, with a tannic structure that makes them particularly suitable for ageing. Ageing in barrels, where carried out, often brings out complexity by adding vanilla and roasted notes. These red wines are suited to ageing.

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)

2.   Still dry white wines

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %. After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12,5 %. Before being packaged, the wines have: a fermentable sugar content of ≤ 4 g/l; a total SO2 content of ≤ 180 mg/l and a volatile acidity content of ≤ 13,26 meq/l. The other analytical standards comply with EU rules. The dry white wines, mainly made from the Sauvignon B variety, are often fresh in the mouth and very aromatic, with fruity notes (often citrus fruit) and floral hints. The Sémillon B variety brings body and richness while the presence of Muscadelle B in the blend intensifies floral notes. The Colombard B variety adds aromatic notes of citrus fruit. These wines are highly appreciated when young (1 or 2 years).

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.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Density and spacing

Cultivation method

The minimum vine planting density is 4 500 plants per hectare.

The spacing between vine rows must not exceed 2 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,80 metres.

2.   Pruning rules

Cultivation method

Vines are pruned at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest.

Vines are pruned with a maximum of 14 buds per plant, using the following techniques:

—	Bordeaux pruning with two canes;

—	Guyot pruning with one or two arms;

—	short spur pruning; low trellised cordons or fan.

Where spacing between plants is less than 0,85 m, the vines are pruned using the Guyot with one arm technique.

3.   Irrigation

Cultivation method

Irrigation during the vine growing season is only permitted in cases of persistent drought and if drought is disrupting the sound physiological development of the vines and the ripening of the grapes.

4.   Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted for the red wines up to a concentration rate of 15 %.

The total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment must not exceed 13 % for the red wines and 12,5 % for the white wines.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.   Still red wines

65 hectolitres per hectare

2.   Still dry white wines

72 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines produced and developed in the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 18 February 2022:

Bayon-sur-Gironde, Bourg, Comps, Gauriac, Lansac, Mombrier, Prignac-et-Marcamps, the part of the municipality of Pugnac corresponding to its territory before its merger with Lafosse on 1 July 1974 (namely cadastral sections B1, B2, ZH, ZI, ZK, ZL, ZM, ZN, ZO and ZP), Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, Saint-Trojan, Samonac, Tauriac, Teuillac and Villeneuve.

7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Colombard B

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

Muscadelle B

Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris

Semillon B

8.   Description of the link(s)

The rich landscape of vineyards in the geographical area reflects the historical importance of the winemaking trade. The port of Bourg played an important role in this trade until the beginning of the 19th century.

Since the 18th century, the varieties of the controlled designation of origin ‘Bourg’/‘Côtes de Bourg’/‘Bourgeais’ have been grown in a maritime climate on land traditionally associated with ‘Bordeaux’ red wines, where they require the use of échalas [support poles], generally combined with trellising and a sufficiently strict pruning method, to ensure a well-distributed grape harvest and sufficient leaf area for photosynthesis and optimum ripeness.

Despite the variability of soils, the three main soil types identified are all suitable for planting hillside vineyards where winegrowers have imposed strict production conditions such as planting density and maximum crop load per parcel.

The soils on Quaternary silt are particularly suitable for the Merlot N, Cot N (Malbec) and Sauvignon B varieties. The parcels with sandy-clay gravelly soils located on the hillsides are suitable for the alternate planting of the Merlot N, Cabernet Sauvignon N and Cabernet Franc N varieties, but they are also suited to growing white varieties.

The Merlot N variety is by far the main variety grown and it thrives in particular on parcels with clay-limestone soils, a very common soil type in the specifically demarcated parcel area.

In 2010, almost 85 % of wine with the ‘Bourg’/‘Côtes de Bourg’/‘Bourgeais’ controlled designation of origin was sold on the French market. Exports and sales of the wine outside national borders are gradually increasing, particularly in Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, and even in Japan and the United States.

Producers are also involved in a plan whereby a common signature is placed on all communications and marketing material, thus ensuring that the ‘Bourg’/‘Côtes de Bourg’/‘Bourgeais’ controlled designation of origin is widely known.

All communication activities carried out by producers focus on the characteristics of the terroir. The technical developments carried out collectively (soil survey, ‘plant health’ and ‘ripeness’ bulletins, mass selection of the Cot N variety, landscape management, etc.) which are described in the various promotion operations emphasise the specific characteristics of the controlled designation of origin.

This dynamic is fully reflected in the strong growth of wine tourism and in the strengthening of the wines’ position both nationally and abroad.

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 production and development of wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 18 February 2022: Berson, Blaye, Campugnan, Cars, Cartelègue, Cavignac, Cézac, Civrac-de-Blaye, Cubnezais, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Donnezac, Fours, Gauriaguet, Générac, Laruscade, Marcenais, Marsas, Mazion, Peujard, Plassac, the part of the municipality of Pugnac corresponding to the territory of the former municipality of Lafosse before it was merged with Pugnac on 1 July 1974, Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Saint-Androny, Saint-Christoly-de- Blaye, Saint-Genès-de-Blaye, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Girons-d’Aiguevives, Saint-Laurent-d’Arce, Saint-Mariens, Saint-Martin-Lacaussade, Saint-Paul, Saint-Savin, Saint-Seurin-de-Cursac, Saint- Vivien-de-Blaye, Saint-Yzan-de-Soudiac, Saugon, Val de Virvée and Virsac.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Wines with the controlled designation of origin may specify on their labels the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-068df9b9-86dc-4ec6-88a4-d1e205bd94f0

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(1)   OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.