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

(2020/C 72/13)

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

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Rosé d’Anjou’

Reference number: PDO-FR-A1007-AM01

Date of communication: 14 November 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Geographical area

The geographical area has been amended as follows: ‘All the stages of production of wines eligible for the controlled designations [sic] of origin ... “Rosé d’Anjou” take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

—

department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Bouillé-Loretz, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay, Val en Vignes (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

—

department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (former territory of the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier and Saint-Sulpice), Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné, Montfort, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (former territory of the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (former territory of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant, La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné, Trémont and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire, La Pommeraye, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (former territory of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne), Parnay, Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saumur, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Ambillou-Château, Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay), Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Villevêque;

—	department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

Maps of the geographical area can be found on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO)’.

Editorial amendment: the new list of administrative entities takes into account any mergers or other changes to administrative boundaries that have occurred since the approval of the specification. For greater legal certainty, this list complies with the current version of the official geographic code updated annually by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The boundary of the geographical area remains entirely unchanged.

Finally, for the purposes of better public information, attention is drawn to the maps of the geographical area available on the INAO website.

Point 6 of the single document, on the geographical area, has been amended accordingly.

2.   Demarcated parcel area

In Chapter I(IV)(2) of the specification, the words ‘and 19 January 2017’ have been added after ‘5 September 2007’.

The reason for this amendment is to add the date on which the competent national authority approved a modification of the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Parcels are demarcated by identifying the parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the product covered by the protected designation of origin in question.

In Chapter I(IV)(2) of the specification, the words ‘4 September 1996’ have been replaced by ‘4 and 5 September 1996’.

This amendment corrects the date of the national procedure during which the demarcated parcel was approved.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3.   Area in immediate proximity

In Chapter I(IV)(3), the list of municipalities has been replaced by:

—	department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;

—	department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

—	department of Maine-et-Loire: Orée d’Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipality of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels), Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux.

This change takes into account the various mergers of municipalities that have occurred since the last version of the specification. The boundary of the area in immediate proximity remains unchanged.

Point 9 of the single document, on further conditions, has been amended accordingly.

4.   Agri-environment provision

The following has been added to Chapter I(VI)(2): ‘Managed vegetation cover, either natural or planted, is compulsory between rows. In the absence of vegetation cover, operators must tend the soil to ensure that naturally occurring vegetation is managed. Otherwise, operators must justify the use of bio-control products approved by the wine-growing authorities. Where bio-control herbicides are used on a land parcel, use of other herbicides is not permitted’.

This amendment reflects current developments in practice among operators in favour of conservation agriculture throughout the vineyards of Anjou. It takes into account growing concern for the environment as part of technical procedures. By encouraging the existence of vegetation cover, or mechanised weeding, or even use of bio-control products, the amendment aims to reduce the use of chemical herbicides. This reduction in herbicides should increase the protection of wine-growing soils and guard their natural properties, such as fertility, bio-diversity and self-cleaning. In this way, it will contribute to the quality and authenticity of the wines and strengthen the sense of terroir.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

5.   Harvest proclamation

In Chapter I(VII)(1)(a) of the specification, the following sentence has been deleted: ‘The start date of the harvests is set in accordance with Article D. 645-6 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code’.

It is no longer necessary to set a start date for harvests as operators have a large selection of tools at their disposal to enable them to gauge the ripeness of the grapes with the greatest possible accuracy. All operators have access to various machines and equipment, both individually and collectively, enabling them to determine accurately the ideal start date for harvesting each parcel, depending on the production objectives.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

6.   Sugar content

In Chapter I(IX)(1)(c), the words ‘after fermentation’ have been added after the words ‘The wines have’.

This amendment was made to avoid any confusion with the sugar content before fermentation, as it is important to specify that this content must be verified after fermentation.

Point 4 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

7.   Subtractive method of enrichment

At IX(1)(d), the following paragraph has been added: ‘To make ... rosé wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin “Rosé d’Anjou”, using the Grolleau N and Grolleau G varieties, subtractive methods of enrichment are permitted. The maximum rate for partial concentration has been set at 10 % of the volume subject to enrichment’.

This amendment comes after experimentation on several vintages. The experiments showed that, with raw material that could be considered good quality and a maximum concentration rate of 10 %, and with enrichment limited to a total alcoholic strength by volume of 15 %, the reverse osmosis method does not have a negative effect on the wines. Subtractive enrichment methods can allow the compositions of musts to be rebalanced in years when the climate is unreliable.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

8.   Fermenting room capacity

In Chapter I(IX)(1)(e), the sentence: ‘All operators are required to have a fermenting room capacity for producing wine equal to at least 1;4 times the holding’s average yield over the past five years’ has been replaced by the sentence: ‘All operators are required to have a fermenting room capacity for producing wine equal to at least 1,4 times the average volume of wine produced over the previous five years.’

The specification previously did not mention volume capacity, usually expressed in hectolitres or cubic metres. Instead, it referred to yield, that is harvest volume divided by surface area, expressed in hectolitres per hectare, for example. The proposed amendment removes this inconsistency regarding measurements without making any substantial changes. The minimum capacity remains 1,4 times the average volume of wine produced by a holding in the preceding years.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

9.   Circulation of wines

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

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

10.   Link with the geographical area

The link has been revised in order to update the number of municipalities involved: 70 instead of 126.

Point 8 of the single document, concerning the link with the geographical area, has been amended accordingly.

11.   Transitional measure

The expired transitional measures have been deleted.

The following has been inserted at Chapter I(XI): ‘In the case of vineyard parcels already in existence when this specification was approved, and in which the spacing between rows does not exceed 1,7 metres, the provisions relating to the following do not apply: the requirement for managed vegetation cover, either natural or planted, between rows; and, in the absence of such vegetation cover, the requirement for operators to tend the soil or use bio-control products to ensure that naturally occurring vegetation is managed’.

The transitional measure avoids the need to penalise existing vineyards currently using a training method not adapted to the agri-environmental provisions. In densely planted vineyards, where the spacing between rows does not exceed 1,7 metres, maintaining permanent grass cover or attempting to work the soil could, in effect, cause technical problems with machinery, materials or tools, for example. In low-growing vines, grass cover actually increases the risk of spring frosts. Furthermore, the presence of vegetation cover significantly increases the pressure on the water supply to the vines in the more densely-planted vineyards. Nevertheless, any vines planted after the specification has been approved will have to comply fully with the new agri-environmental provisions, regardless of planting density and spacing between rows.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

12.   Record keeping

In Chapter II(II)(3), the word ‘potential’ has been replaced by ‘natural’.

In order to ensure consistency in the wording in all the specifications from the Anjou Saumur area, the phrase ‘natural alcoholic strength by volume’ has replaced ‘potential strength’ or ‘degree’. These amendments improve the readability of the product specifications. The harmonisation of record-keeping provisions is intended to make it easier to draw up inspection plans and check records.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

13.   Main points to be checked

Chapter III has been revised to ensure consistency in drafting the main points to be checked in specifications from the Anjou Saumur area.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name of the product

Rosé d’Anjou

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine product

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

The wines are still rosé wines with the following analytical characteristics.

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 9,5 %.

The amount of fermentable sugar, glucose and fructose, in the wines after fermentation must be at least 7 grams per litre.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12 %.

The levels of volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide are as laid down in EU regulations. However, all batches of unbottled wine eligible to bear the term ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’ must have volatile acidity levels or no more than 10,2 milliequivalents per litre.

The wines have varying levels of fermentable sugars and sweetness. They are highly aromatic, each expressing the particular characteristics of their grape varieties. Nevertheless, fruit is always present is some form, such as peach, strawberry or citrus. In the mouth, the wines offer a sophisticated balance of freshness and roundness. Their aroma is long-lasting and intense.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)	9
Minimum total acidity
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Wine-making practices

a.   Essential oenological practices

Planting density - Spacing

Cultivation method

The minimum vine planting density is 4 000 plants per hectare. The spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 2,5 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre. In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3 300 but less than 4 000 plants per hectare, the harvests are eligible for the controlled designation of origin provided that they comply with the rules on trellising and foliage height laid down in this specification. On such parcels, the spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 3 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.

Rules on vine pruning and trellising

Cultivation method

The vines are pruned, using mixed pruning, by 30 April at the latest in accordance with the detailed rules laid down in the specification. These rules specify the maximum number of buds per plant and the maximum number of buds on the cane.

The height of the foliage when trellised is at least 0,6 times the spacing between the rows. This height is measured from the lowest point of the foliage, set at a minimum of 0,4 metres above the ground, to the highest part of the canopy, set at a minimum of 0,2 metres above the height of the upper trellising wire.

In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3 300 but less than 4 000 plants per hectare, the following trellising rules also apply: the minimum height of the trellising posts above the ground is 1,9 metres; there are four levels of trellising wires; the minimum height of the upper wire is 1,85 metres above the ground.

Irrigation

Cultivation method

Irrigation is prohibited.

Specific oenological practice

Use of charcoal, whether alone or mixed in preparations, for oenological purposes is prohibited.

Use of wood chips is prohibited.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12 %.

In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at Community level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

b.   Maximum yields

75 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

All the stages of production of wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin ‘Rosé d’Anjou’ take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

—

department of Deux-Sèvres: Argenton-l’Église, Bouillé-Loretz, Brion-près-Thouet, Louzy, Mauzé-Thouarsais, Oiron, Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars, Tourtenay, Val en Vignes (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul and Cersay);

—

department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (former territory of the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier and Saint-Sulpice), Bouchemaine, Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brézé, Brissac Loire Aubance (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance, Chemellier, Coutures, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Chacé, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cizay-la-Madeleine, Cléré-sur-Layon, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné, Montfort, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Juigné-sur-Loire and Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Gennes-Val-de-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé, Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (former territory of the delegated municipality of Ingrandes), Jarzé Villages (former territory of the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant, La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné, Trémont and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (former territory of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire, La Pommeraye, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (former territory of the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré and La Varenne), Parnay, Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Rou-Marson, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saumur, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Terranjou (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Chavagnes, Martigné-Briand and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon), Tuffalun (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Ambillou-Château, Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Val-du-Layon (former territory of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay), Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Villevêque;

—	department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers.

7.   Main wine grapes

Gamay N

Cot N - Malbec

Grolleau Gris G

Grolleau N

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Pineau d’Aunis N

8.   Description of the link(s)

1.   Information on the geographical area

(a)   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area spans two major geological formations in which vineyards occupy most of the river catchment areas and some plateaux: in the west, the Precambrian and Paleozoic basement rock forms part of the Armorican Massif; in the east, the Mesozoic and Cenozoic substratum of the Paris basin has covered the ancient basement rock. This geological peculiarity distinguishes the western part of the geographical area from the eastern part. The western part is notable for the presence of shale deposits, mostly slate, and is known locally as ‘Anjou noir’ or ‘black Anjou’. The eastern part is notable for its chalky marl (Saumur) and is known locally as ‘Anjou blanc’ or ‘white Anjou’.

With historic links to the ancient province of Anjou, as of 2018 the geographical area essentially covers the southern half of the department of Maine-et-Loire (70 municipalities) and the northern fringes of the departments of Deux-Sèvres (14 municipalities) and Vienne (9 municipalities).

The parcels specifically demarcated for harvesting grapes have soils that have developed from different geological formations. Although they differ significantly, these soils are generally poor with limited water reserves. They also have good thermal properties.

The geographical area benefits from a temperate oceanic climate with only minor variations in temperature. This is due partly to the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, and partly to the role of the Loire and its tributaries in temperature regulation. The fact that the vines are planted on hills is also a factor. This explains the expression ‘douceur angevine’ (clement Anjou weather), which best describes the winter, long spring and autumn, while there are frequent hot periods in summer. The north-west and south-east facing slopes protect the vines from the, often moist, westerly winds. In this way, the geographical area is sparingly irrigated, benefitting from a foehn effect, with the highest slopes of Choletais and Mauges providing shelter from maritime mists. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimetres, compared with 800 millimetres in Choletais.

(b)   Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link

Vines are known to have been cultivated on a continuous basis in Anjou since the first century AD. It is excellent vine-growing country, as evidenced by these lines of a poem by Apollonius (sixth century): ‘Not far from Brittany is a town located on a rock with extensive plantations rich in the fruits of Ceres and Bacchus and a name, Andecavi (Angers), which is derived from the Greek place name’. Vine-growing developed in the Anjou area during the Middle Ages, under the auspices of the monasteries located on the banks of the Loire and around Angers. However, the vineyards became particularly renowned from the seventh and eighth centuries onwards. Thanks to the influence of Henri II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Anjou wines made their way to the noblest tables.

Production developed significantly from the 16th century onwards with the arrival of Dutch merchants seeking wine for their country and colonies. The Dutch stocked up on the wines and trade was so brisk in the 18th century that the river Layon, which crosses the geographical area, was made navigable to make transportation easier. The great esteem in which Anjou wines were held meant that they were in high demand and various taxes were created (on wine in bulk, on crates, wholesale tax, retail tax, excise duty etc.). These taxes had negative consequences for trade. The havoc wrought by the War in the Vendée effectively destroyed the vineyards. Prosperity returned in the 19th century. In 1881, the vineyards covered a surface area of 45 000 hectares, of which 10 000 hectares remained in 1893 after the phylloxera epidemic.

The region known as Anjou essentially owes it fame to the production of white wines made from the Chenin B variety. However, plantings of the Cabernet Franc N variety and of Cabernet-Sauvignon N a little later on spread significantly after the phylloxera crisis. In the early 20th century, wine-making efforts were mostly focused on making ‘rouget’, the local name for a light wine served in the cafés. This marked the first stage in the changes to the Anjou vineyards. Together with the the Grolleau N and Grolleau Gris G varieties, which produce pale ‘clairet’ wines, complemented by the Gamay N and Pineau d’Aunis N varieties, they contributed towards the development of a significant production of characteristic rosé wines, well-known under the controlled designations of origin ‘Cabernet d’Anjou’ and ‘Rosé d’Anjou’. The second stage in this change was due to the expertise acquired by growers in managing this combination of vines. The production of red wines developed from the 1960s onwards, based on monitoring and analysis of the best combinations of varieties and planting locations, together with assessment of the harvest potential and the expertise acquired in wine-making techniques.

2.   Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

The rosé wines have varying levels of fermentable sugars and sweetness. They are highly aromatic, each expressing the particular characteristics of their grape varieties. Nevertheless, fruit is always present is some form, such as peach, strawberry or citrus. In the mouth, the wines offer a sophisticated balance of freshness and roundness. Their aroma is long and intense.

3.   Causal interactions

The combined characteristics of the vine-growing area, including its northern location, characteristic landscape, notably mild climate and specific geology and soil profile give the wines a distinctive, fresh taste.

The diversity of the vineyard locations with their varied geological and soil profiles provides optimal conditions for each of the approved vine varieties to prosper. Winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards.

9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

EU 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 and processing of wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin ‘Rosé d’Anjou’, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2018:

—	department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil;

—	department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (former delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet;

—	department of Maine-et-Loire: Orée d’Anjou (former delegated municipality of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels), Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux.

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The designation may be followed by the term ‘primeur’ (early) or ‘nouveau’ (new), in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.

Under EU rules, the size of the letters of optional terms may be regulated by the Member States. They must not be larger, either in height, width or thickness, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the protected designation of origin.

The name of the controlled designation of origin may be followed by the geographical designation ‘Val de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification. The size of the letters of the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ may not be larger, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

The term ‘cabernet’, or mention of the variety Cabernet Sauvignon N or Cabernet Franc N, is not permitted in the presentation and description of the wines.

Wines eligible to bear the term ‘primeur’ or ‘nouveau’ must also state the vintage.

The labelling of the wines may specify a smaller geographical unit on their labels, provided that: - it is a registered location; - it appears on the harvest declaration. The place name must be printed in letters no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-c7cad5d3-da9f-4088-aebd-c22f0626c5c3

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(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.