COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

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

‘Pineau des Charentes’

EU Reference number: PDO-FR-A0489-AM03 – 28.7.2025

1.   Name of product

‘Pineau des Charentes’

2.   Geographical indication type

☐

PGI

☑

PDO

☐

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

The application for amendment to the ‘Pineau des Charentes’ 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

Addition of agri-environmental provisions

Description

Agri-environmental provisions have been added to the specification for the designation. The aim is to enhance the sustainability of the designation in the face of climate change and high societal expectations. These measures are part of an overall sustainability approach taken by the producers of the designation.

☐	The amendment affects the single document.

Title

Introduction of two supplementary geographical names

Description

Two supplementary geographical names (SGN), ‘Île de Ré’ and ‘Île d’Oléron’, have been incorporated into the specification.

The wines obtained from these SGNs have particular organoleptic characteristics resulting from production using Cognac spirit and musts of an ‘oceanic’ character. The producer group of the designation values the specific characteristics of these areas, in particular the effects of a more pronounced oceanic climate: high humidity, stronger winds, more intense sunshine than on the mainland, and groundwater that is not so deep.

Pineau des Charentes ‘Île de Ré’ and ‘Île d’Oléron’ have a long-standing reputation dating back to 1925. Their consumption remains mostly local, driven by sales to tourists, which boosts the development of short supply chains.

Stricter production conditions are laid down for these two SGNs in the product specification: both have their own specific geographical area, with parcel identification criteria, higher planting density, reduced distance between rows, and a lower yield and a lower average maximum load per parcel.

A provision has also been added to see to it that the benefit that comes from using this name is granted only to liqueur wines whose must comes from parcels of young vines, from the third year following that in which the planting took place, and where this occurred before 31 July of the planting year.

These conditions reflect usage and ensure the quality and authenticity of the product.

The ‘link’ section of the product specification has also been bolstered to highlight the singularity of these two supplementary geographical names.

☑	The amendment affects the single document.

Title

Parcel assignment

Description

The aim is to boost the allocation of areas for a period of three consecutive years, instead of a single year, in order better to control the quality of Pineau des Charentes.

In addition, in view of the current economic situation in the Charentes-Cognac wine-growing basin, the producer group of the designation wishes to avoid rapid or opportunistic changes in the areas given over to the production of Pineau des Charentes, on the one hand, and Cognac on the other.

The aim of this scheme is thus to ensure better quality control, while at the same time securing production potential.

☐	The amendment affects the single document.

Title

Update of the Geographic Code

Description

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

☑	The amendment affects the single document.

Title

References

Description

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

☐	The amendment affects the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of the wines

‘Pineau des Charentes’

EU Reference number: PDO-FR-A0489-AM03 – 28.7.2025

1.   Name(s)

‘Pineau des Charentes’

2.   Geographical indication type

☑

PDO

☐

PGI

☐

GI

3.   Country to which the defined 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 products as listed in Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

3. Liqueur wine

6.   Description of the wine(s)

Grapevine product

Liqueur wine

Organoleptic characteristics:

Visual appearance:

‘Pineau des Charentes’ is a liqueur wine made by adding to the grape must aged spirit bearing the designation of origin ‘Cognac’ (spirit from a previous round of distillation). It is white, rosé or red; the designation maybe supplemented by the terms vieux [‘old’], très vieux [‘very old’] or extra vieux [‘extra old’], depending on how long it is aged in oak containers.

White ‘Pineau des Charentes’ has a colour ranging from straw yellow to pale golden yellow.

Red ‘Pineau des Charentes’ has a deep colour.

Aroma:

White ‘Pineau des Charentes’ frequently develops intense aromas, which are fruity (fresh fruit or candied fruit) and floral (white flowers), with notes of honey.

Red ‘Pineau des Charentes’ often develops intense aromas of freshly picked red and black fruit, together with mild spicy notes. Rosé ‘Pineau des Charentes’ is pale to fuchsia in colour. It often develops fruity aromas and notes of red berries and forest fruits.

Taste:

‘Pineau des Charentes’ is mainly consumed as an aperitif. In the mouth, it conveys the freshness and roundness of fresh grape must. The ‘Cognac’, which contributes to the body and general balance of the product, is blended in, thanks in part to its ageing in oak containers.

Additional information regarding organoleptic characteristics:

‘Pineau des Charentes Ile de Ré’ and ‘Pineau des Charentes Ile d’Oléron’ are made from aged spirits with a ‘Cognac’ designation of origin and musts sometimes described as ‘oceanic’. These soft, fruity, sweet and slightly iodine spirits bring specific characteristics to the ‘Pineau des Charentes’ on these two islands. ‘Pineau des Charentes Ile de Ré’ and ‘Pineau des Charentes Ile d’Oléron’ often develop notes of roses and citrus fruit.

Analytical characteristics:

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):	22
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):	16
Minimum total acidity:	—
Minimum total acidity unit:	—
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):	10
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):	75

Additional information regarding analytical characteristics:

Unreported analytical values comply with the limits set 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

Wine making practice:

–

Type of oenological practice:

Cultivation method

Description:

The minimum planting density of the vines is 2 200 plants per hectare, and the spacing between the rows is 3 metres or less. Vines are pruned with a maximum of 50 000 buds per hectare using the following techniques: – single or double Guyot, with the plant having one or two canes and one or two shoots; – cordon pruning, with shoots having a maximum of three buds. Irrigation is prohibited.

The vines in the supplementary geographical areas of ‘Ile de Ré’ and ‘Ile d’Oléron’ have a minimum planting density of 2 800 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of these vines must not exceed 2,70 metres.

7.2.   Maximum yields

All wines/category/variety/type:

Liqueur wine

Maximum yield:

Maximum yield:	52
Maximum yield unit:	hectolitres per hectare

All wines/category/variety/type:

Must

Maximum yield:

Maximum yield:	85
Maximum yield unit:	hectolitres per hectare

All wines/category/variety/type:

Liqueur wine with supplementary geographical names

Maximum yield:

Maximum yield:	49
Maximum yield unit:	hectolitres per hectare

All wines/category/variety/type:

Must with a supplementary geographical name

Maximum yield:

Maximum yield:	76
Maximum yield unit:	hectolitres per hectare

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

France – Folle Blanche B

France – Semillon B

France – Cabernet Franc N

France – Merlot N

France – Montils B

France – Colombard B

France – Cot N – Malbec

France – Jurançon Blanc B

France – Cabernet Sauvignon N

France – Meslier Saint-François B – Gros Meslier

France – Ugni Blanc B

France – Merlot Blanc B

France – Sauvignon B – Sauvignon Blanc

France – Trousseau Gris G – Chauché Gris

9.   Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area

(a)

The harvesting of the grapes, the production of must and the production, ageing and packaging of the liqueur wines are carried out in the municipalities initially defined by the Decree of 1 May 1909, as amended, on administrative regulations laying down the boundaries of the region with an exclusive right to the name ‘Cognac’ for its spirits. The geographical area covers the territory of the following 738 municipalities or parts of municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code as at 1 January 2024: — For Charente (16): Whole municipalities (265), parts of municipalities (2) — For Charente-Maritime (17): Whole municipalities (458) — For Dordogne (24): Whole municipalities (3) — For Deux-Sèvres (79): Whole municipalities (10) The municipalities are listed in the specification of the designation.

(b)

For the supplementary geographical names ‘Ile d’Oléron’ and ‘Ile de Ré’ of the ‘Pineau des Charentes’ designation, the operations are carried out in accordance with the specific conditions listed below. The following stages must take place within the geographical area approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality at the meeting of the relevant national committee on 6 February 2025: musts and spirits must be made from grapes harvested and vinified within the geographical area of each supplementary geographical name defined below. Ageing for the supplementary geographical names ‘Ile de Ré’ and ‘Ile d’Oléron’ of the ‘Pineau des Charentes’ designation must be carried out within the geographical area of each supplementary geographical name defined below. The geographical area of the ‘Ile d’Oléron’ supplementary geographical name covers the territory of the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code as at 1 January 2024: — For Charente-Maritime: Entire municipalities (8) La Brée-les-Bains, Le Château-d’Oléron, Dolus-d’Oléron, Le Grand-Village-Plage, Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, Saint-Georges-d’Oléron, Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains. The geographical area of the ‘Ile de Ré’ supplementary geographical name covers the territory of the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code as at 1 January 2024: — For Charente-Maritime: Entire municipalities (10) Ars-en-Ré, Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, La Couarde-sur-Mer, La Flotte, Loix, Les Portes-en-Ré, Rivedoux-Plage, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

10.   Link with the geographical area

Category of the grapevine product

(3)	Liqueur wine

Summary of the link

‘Pineau des Charentes’ is a product whose existence and history are linked to the production of ‘Cognac’ spirit. Indeed, the main specificity of ‘Pineau des Charentes’ is that it is made using ‘Cognac’ spirit, and the link between the two products is all the more marked given that the grape musts and the ‘Cognac’ spirit used in the production must come from the same holding.

On average, the production of ‘Pineau des Charentes’ requires the use of the equivalent of two parcels for producing ‘Cognac’ spirit and of one parcel for producing grape musts. Therefore, in accordance with the know-how stemming from historical practices, each producer selects those parcels of their holding that are the best suited to produce musts that are richest in sugar, while reserving the rest of the parcel area for the production of acidic wines that have a low alcohol content and are suitable for producing ‘Cognac’ spirit. The summer heat, together with the mildness and strong sunshine at the end of the season, and the air humidity promote the maturation of the harvest and also help to obtain musts that are rich in sugar.

For ‘Pineau des Charentes Ile de Ré’ and ‘Pineau des Charentes Ile d’Oléron’, the more oceanic climate, the shallower and more sandy soils influencing the water regime, the structuring around cooperatives and historical island practices mean that parcels are managed and selected for the production of musts in a way that is different from the mainland and specific to the islands.

‘Pineau des Charentes’ is aged in oak containers with great skill, reflecting the practices and know-how used to produce ‘Cognac’ spirit, and this can allow the wine to improve and acquire its aromatic and taste specificities.

The requirement to package the product in the geographical area has to do with production practices and the tradition of consuming ‘Pineau des Charentes’ at home. It aims at preserving the characteristics and specificity of the product, which is prepared according to a special method and with long ageing, while leaving room for better traceability and more efficient inspection of the product. This provision is flanked by the obligation to affix, on each bottle, a guarantee capsule or a guarantee stamp issued by the protection and management body. It follows on from the rule laid down as early as 1946 in the Decree on the recognition of the protected designation of origin, which made putting the wines into circulation subject to the issuance of a tasting certificate by local experts.

Thus, ‘Pineau des Charentes’ has taken on an identity often characterised by tertiary aromas, typical of ageing in an oak container. While ‘Pineau des Charentes’ remained a product consumed at home, thus strictly locally, for close on three centuries, it acquired a real reputation beyond its area of production when it grew commercially at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, around a quarter of the production is marketed outside France, on several continents, where the reputation of ‘Pineau des Charentes’ has been accompanied by an increase in sales (Western and Northern Europe, Canada, etc.).

11.   Further applicable requirements

Title of the requirement/derogation:

Ageing and packaging

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation:

Packaging in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the requirement/derogation:

The rosé liqueur wines must be aged until at least 1 March of the year following the year of harvest. The red liqueur wines are aged for at least 12 months, including at least eight months in oak containers. The white liqueur wines are aged for at least 18 months, including at least 12 months in oak containers. Liqueur wines eligible for the term vieux [‘old’] are aged for over seven years in oak containers. A blend of several liqueur wines may be labelled vieux, provided that all the liqueur wines have been aged for more than seven years in oak containers. Liqueur wines eligible for the term très vieux [‘very old’] or its equivalent extra vieux [‘extra old’] are aged for more than 12 years in oak containers. A blend of several liqueur wines may be labelled très vieux, or its equivalent, extra vieux, provided that all the liqueur wines have been aged for more than 12 years in oak containers. The requirement to package the product in the geographical area results from the production practices and the tradition of initially consuming ‘Pineau des Charentes’ at home, and it aims at preserving the characteristics and specificity of the wine. This product must be prepared using specific know-how as regards both the blending of the wine and its ageing in wood in an oxidising environment. For this reason, the product must not be transported at all, and any handling after ageing must be limited, so as not to compromise the qualities obtained through a technically perfected method of production. In addition, limiting packaging to the geographical area improves traceability and facilitates inspection of the product. The wines are placed on the market for the consumer in glass bottles equipped with a guarantee capsule or stamp.

Title of the requirement/derogation:

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further requirement/derogation:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the requirement/derogation:

—

A vintage may be indicated for liqueur wine if 100 % of the wine is from the same year of production of the ‘Pineau des Charentes’. – The name of the designation may be supplemented by the terms vieux [‘old’], très vieux [‘very old’] (or its equivalent extra vieux [‘extra old’]) in the case of liqueur wines that meet the production conditions laid down for those terms in this specification. – An age reference is authorised for Pineau des Charentes where there has been a period of ageing of three full years in an oak container. The age indicated must not exceed the length of time the product has been aged in an oak container. In the case of blended wines, the age indicated is that of the batch with the shortest period of ageing in an oak container.

The controlled designation of origin ‘Pineau des Charentes’ may be followed by the supplementary geographical names ‘Ile de Ré’ or ‘Ile d’Oléron’ for liqueur wines meeting the production conditions laid down for these SGNs.

Electronic (URL) reference to publication of the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-3c085508-571d-4fbd-85a7-cdf450cc1abd

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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).