Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2021/C 520/12)

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

COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Sauternes’

PDO-FR-A0819-AM03

Date of communication: 26.10.2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Official Geographic Code

The municipalities making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity have been updated in line with the Official Geographic Code.

The boundaries of the area remain unchanged.

In the single document points 6 and 9 have been amended.

2.   Pruning

Pruning for grapes of the Muscadelle variety has been adjusted from one bud per spur to two buds per spur and a maximum of eight buds. The purpose of this amendment is to mitigate the reduction in vine vigour for this variety.

Point 5.1 of the single document has been amended.

3.   Agri-environmental provisions

The following agri-environmental provisions have been added to the specification.

Dead vines must be removed from the parcels. Dead vines must not be kept on the parcels.

Full chemical weed control on parcels is prohibited.

All winegrowers must calculate and record their treatment frequency index (TFI).

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

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

4.   Coefficient K

A coefficient K has been added to allow the same parcel to produce wines from over-ripe grapes as well as dry wines.

Wines of the designation ‘Sauternes’ are made from over-ripe or botrytised grapes harvested in multiple passes. However, depending on the climate conditions, sometimes the grapes are not suitable for making sweet wines with residual sugars. Including a coefficient K means that these grapes can be made into dry wines.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

5.   Date for circulation between authorised warehouses

Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter I on the date of entry into circulation of the wines between authorised warehouses has been deleted.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

6.   Transitional measures

Transitional measures that have expired have been withdrawn from the specification.

This amendment does not require any changes to the single document.

7.   Claim declaration

The wording of the claim declaration has been amended so that it can be sent to the protection and management body before 15 December of the harvest year.

This amendment requires no changes to the single document.

8.   Reference to the inspection body

The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording of other product specifications. It is a purely formal amendment which

does not require any changes to the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Sauternes

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

Sauternes

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

Still white wines with residual sugars

They have a natural alcoholic strength by volume of at least 15 %.

After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 21 %.

All the wine, whether packaged or sold in bulk, has a fermentable sugar content of at least 45 grams per litre.

The characteristics of the wine of Sauternes are mainly due to the grapes being botrytised. The fungus causes biochemical changes that give rise to the specific olfactory and gustatory components, as well as the concentration of sugars in the grapes. When young, the wine is golden in colour and develops floral and fruity perfumes. Then, as it ages, its colour deepens and it develops its ‘roasted’ bouquet composed of powerful aromas, often toast, candied fruits, citrus and honey, with a very long aromatic finish. It is very rich and unctuous in the mouth. It is distinguished by its very fruity aromas and its liveliness. The latter is a product of the chalky terroir which is also often expressed in the mineral texture, with great power and balance.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)	12
Minimum total acidity	in milliequivalents per litre
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)	25
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 6 500 plants per hectare.

The spacing between plants in the same row may not be less than 0,80 metres.

The average spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 1,90 metres.

2.   Pruning rules

Cultivation method

Pruning takes place by 1 May at the latest.

The vines are pruned using the following techniques:

—	Muscadelle B grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds, with a maximum of eight buds;

—	Semillon B grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms, with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds; or mixed Guyot with a maximum of six buds on the cane and two spurs pruned to a maximum of two buds, with one pointing away from the cane;

—

Sauvignon B and Sauvignon Gris G grapes: éventail, each vine has between two and five arms, with a maximum of six spurs pruned to two buds; mixed Guyot with a maximum of six buds on the cane and two spurs pruned to a maximum of two buds, with one pointing away from the cane; or Bordeaux pruning, each vine has two canes with a maximum of four buds on each.

3.   Specific harvest provisions

Cultivation method

The wines are made from over-ripe grapes, with the presence of ‘noble rot’, harvested by hand in multiple passes.

4.   Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Enrichment is permitted as set out in the product specification.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.	28 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged in the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 19 March 2021: Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes.

7.   Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Muscadelle B

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Gris G - Fié Gris

Semillon B

8.   Description of the link(s)

The unique climate offers particular microclimate conditions which are the reason why a fungus develops on the grape. Botrytis cinerea develops into the ‘noble rot’ which gives the wines of the Sauternes area their typical characteristics in this specific environment.

These wines are produced from parcels, or parts of parcels, which have been strictly and carefully demarcated on the basis of objective criteria and techniques prior to production, proposed by a committee of independent experts.

Over time, people selected the grape varieties most suitable for the effects of botrytis. As a result, Semillon B would become the grape of the Sauternes area.

Furthermore, in order to achieve sufficient concentration to produce these wines, pruning is rigorous, with a specific form for each of the varieties. The éventail pruning method is often used: a type of spur pruning specific to this region.

In order to achieve excellence, the wines are made from over-ripe grapes, with the presence of ‘noble rot’, harvested by hand in multiple passes. The yields are very low after over-ripening, especially as climate conditions vary from year to year and can sometimes drastically reduce the harvests.

The planting densities are high because wine production per vine is very low after concentration. The fermentation of these wines is slow and often carried out in barrels. The wines are matured for a long time before bottling. This is necessary for their full development and best expression.

The fame of the wines of Sauternes was established early in the history of the iconic châteaux. The most famous of these, Château d’Yquem, is known throughout the world. Under the 1855 classification of the wines of Bordeaux, Château d’Yquem alone received the highest classification of ‘superior first growth’. With the area of Sauternes also gaining 11 first growths and 15 second growths, the pre-eminence of this Gironde designation was fully acknowledged. This classification took into account the prices fetched by the wines, which reflected their quality.

Even today, their reputation is indisputable. The environment is especially well-suited to vine cultivation. This, combined with the particular microclimate and the groundwork of earlier wine-growers, has led to the development of specific practices for producing great sweet wines appreciated by wine-lovers the world over.

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 vinification, development and ageing, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 19 March 2021: Budos, Cadillac, Cérons, Escoussans, Gabarnac, Illats, Ladaux, Langon, Mazères, Monprimblanc, Omet, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Roaillan and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.

Broader geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’ may appear on labels or recipients and in any brochures.

The size of the letters used for this broader geographical unit must not be larger, in either 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/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-1d1c41fa-d838-4b2e-9d53-6392daff9d87

---

(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.