COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

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

‘ Graves de Vayres ’

PDO-FR-A0927-AM03 – 2.7.2025

1.   Name of product

‘Graves de Vayres’

2.   Geographical indication type

☒	Protected designation of origin (PDO)

☐	Protected geographical indication (PGI)

☐	Geographical indication (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

Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry, Directorate-General for the Economic and Environmental Performance of Enterprises, Office for Wines and Other Drinks

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 the product specification are standard amendments according to the definition laid down in Article 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.

The application for an amendment to the ‘Graves de Vayres’ 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)

1.   Geographical area

The geographical area has been updated on the basis of the INSEE 2024 Official Geographic Code.

A reference to the Official Geographic Code, which recognises and lists the municipalities by department at national level, has been inserted in Section IV ‘Geographical area and area in immediate proximity’ of Chapter I of the specification. This editorial amendment allows the geographical area to be identified with reference to the current version of the Official Geographic Code, which is issued by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), and gives the definition of the geographical area legal certainty.

The geographical area has not changed.

This amendment affects the section headed ‘Demarcated geographical area’ of the single document.

2.   Area in immediate proximity

The area in immediate proximity has been updated on the basis of the INSEE 2024 Official Geographic Code.

A reference to the Official Geographic Code, which recognises and lists the municipalities by department at national level, has been inserted in Section IV ‘Geographical area and area in immediate proximity’ of Chapter I of the specification. This editorial amendment allows the geographical area to be identified with reference to the current version of the Official Geographic Code, which is issued by INSEE, and gives the definition of the area in immediate proximity legal certainty.

The area in immediate proximity has not changed.

This amendment affects the section headed ‘Further conditions – Area in immediate proximity’ of the single document.

3.   Training method

The heading ‘Training method’ has been added.

A requirement for dead vines to be removed from the parcels has been added.

Cultivation practices linked to agri-environmental measures have been added.

These amendments are designed to take better account of the environment, the landscape and societal demands for less use of plant protection products. They allow full advantage to be taken of the environmentally friendly practices put in place by operators.

These amendments do not affect the single document.

4.   Date for circulation between authorised warehouses

This rule has been removed from the specification in order to allow wines to circulate between all operators and to remove any risk of unfair competition.

This amendment does not affect the single document.

5.   Transitional measures

The transitional measure concerning vineyard parcels with a planting density between 3 300 and 4 000 plants per hectare has been extended by 10 years (until 2035) and is accompanied by a yield reduction of 27 % compared to the set yield for a given harvest. The average maximum crop load per parcel has also been set for those parcels.

This amendment will enable vines which are at their peak from a quality perspective to be kept in production.

The transitional measure concerning vineyard parcels with a planting density below 4 000 plants per hectare has been removed.

These amendments do not affect the single document.

6.   References

The contact details of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (Institut national de la qualité et de l'origine, INAO) have been updated.

The arrangements for inspecting the product specification have been amended.

These amendments do not affect the single document.

7.   Link

Editorial amendments have been made so that the link is easier to understand.

These amendments affect the section headed ‘Link with the geographical area’ of the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Graves de Vayres

2.   Geographical indication type:

PDO – protected designation of origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

3.1.   Combined Nomenclature code

22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR

2204 – Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009

4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   Red wine

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The red wines have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %. After enrichment, the red wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13,5 %. Every batch of red wine sold (in bulk or packaged) has a malic acid content not exceeding 0,3 grams per litre. The red wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) not exceeding 4 grams per litre. The red wines are made from a blend of Cabernet Franc N, Cabernet Sauvignon N, Merlot N and Cot N. Merlot N predominates in the blend, giving the wines a round, velvety character, with often a highly aromatic bouquet of red fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon N produces a robust but never harsh tannic structure, while Cabernet Franc N offers finesse. The red wines are fine and can be enjoyed young when they are fruity in character. However, they have excellent ageing potential of between 5 and 10 years depending on the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon N in the blend. The other analytical values comply, by default, with the EU legislation.

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.   Dry white wine

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The dry white wines have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %. The dry white wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) not exceeding 4 grams per litre. After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the dry white wines must not exceed 13 %. The dry white wines are predominantly made from the Sémillon B and Sauvignon B varieties. They have a certain liveliness which comes from the Sauvignon B. The Sémillon B brings a richness, while blending with the Muscadelle B variety brings out the fruity aromas. The other analytical values comply, by default, with the EU legislation.

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) —

3.   Other white wines

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

These white wines have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %. They have a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) exceeding 4 grams per litre. After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 15 %. The white wines, which contain fermentable sugars, are predominantly made from the Sémillon B variety which is often harvested when overripe and sometimes blended with Merlot B, an old local variety. The wines are medium sweet and supple. The other analytical values comply, by default, with the EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics:

—	Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) —

—	Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): 10,5

—	Minimum total acidity in milliequivalents per litre

—	Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) —

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) —

5.   Winemaking practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Planting density

Cultivation method

The minimum vine planting density is 4 500 plants per hectare. The spacing between vine rows must not exceed 2,5 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,85 metres.

2.   Pruning rules

Cultivation method

Pruning is mandatory. It is carried out 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:

—	double, single and mixed Guyot pruning;

—	spur pruning in low cordon or fan style.

3.   Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

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

After enrichment, the red wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13,5 %.

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the dry white wines must not exceed 13 %.

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the other white wines must not exceed 15 %.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.   Red wine

65 hectolitres per hectare

2.   Dry white wine

72 hectolitres per hectare

3.   Other white wines

55 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged on the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2024: Arveyres and Vayres.

7.   Wine grape variety(ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Carménère N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

Merlot Blanc B

Muscadelle B

Petit Verdot N

Sauvignon B – Sauvignon blanc

Sauvignon Gris G – Fié gris

Semillon B

8.   Description of the link(s)

The meandering Dordogne river, which is a source of summer coolness and autumn fog, creates a mesoclimate in the geographical area that greatly helps the black grapes to ripen and the white grapes to over-ripen. This mesoclimate brings out red fruit aromas in the red wines and a characteristic liveliness sustaining a fruity aromatic structure in the white wines.

This protected designation of origin, which makes reference in its name to the main characteristic of the winegrowing soils, has long had demarcated parcels based on the following objective criteria: ‘any parcel where there is gravel less than 50 cm from the surface is considered to be gravelly’. Only parcels situated on clay-gravel terraces are therefore within the parcel area.

Due to the poor fertility of the gravelly soil, selective vineyard management is necessary. The planting density is adapted to the soil characteristics, with rules on the maximum spacing between rows, and limits on the maximum crop load per parcel and the maximum number of bunches per plant.

The English influence through the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet and the end of the Hundred Years’ War helped to establish the reputation of these wines on the other side of the English Channel. The location of Vayres at a geographical crossroads later made it an important and regular stopping point for the kings of France, which took the wines to the countries of the Iberian Peninsula.

Since the mid-19th century, editions of Bordeaux et ses vins [Bordeaux and its wines] by Cocks and Féret have stated: ‘Without claiming to rival those of Médoc or Saint-Emilion, the red wines of Graves de Vayres are nevertheless full of delicacy. Its premiers crus [first growth] are highly sought after on the market for their body and finesse, and can be classed among the best wines of the Libournais, directly after the deuxièmes crus [second growth] of Pomerol. Its whites remain highly regarded by connoisseurs from the north of France and have come to occupy a significant place on several foreign markets’.

The name of the protected designation of origin, which is also mentioned in the price lists of Horeau Beylot et Cie (1890), Jacquet et Fils (1895) and Legendre et Cie (1898), wine merchants in Libourne, and in the inventory and trade records of numerous Bordeaux wine houses, has been appearing on printed labels since 1904 and was referred to at the stand of a Monsieur Béchaud at the Bordeaux Wine Fair in November 1909.

Since the 1950s, the wines have established a strong position on foreign markets, in particular in Germany.

Resulting from the interplay between a rich and original geographical environment and a human community which has successfully showcased its wines, ‘Graves de Vayres’ wines continue to win over many consumers around the world.

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 making, developing and ageing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2024:

Beychac-et-Caillau, Cadarsac, Fronsac, Génissac, Izon, Libourne, Nérigean, Saint-Germain-du-Puch, Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac and Saint-Sulpice-et-Cameyrac.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The labels of wines with the protected designation of origin may specify the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’.

The size of the letters for the broader geographical unit must 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.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-90b207a5-859a-41a9-8097-d0147bb91aa5

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(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).