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

(2023/C 64/15)

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

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire’

PDO-FR-A0405-AM03

Date of communication: 23.11.2022

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 Code officiel géographique [Official Geographic Code].

This does not affect the boundary of the demarcated geographical area.

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

2.   Spacing between vines

The minimum spacing between the individual vines in the same row has been changed from 1 m to 0,90 m.

The purpose of this amendment is to allow greater planting density without altering the spacing between the rows of vines.

A special provision has also been added for vines located on slopes of over 10 %, for which a minimum spacing of 0,80 m between plants is permitted.

This addition has been made to take into account the particular situation of vines planted on steep slopes, which require special arrangements during planting: rows parallel rather than perpendicular to the slope.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended.

3.   Size

The pruning rules have been aligned with those of the other designations in the Anjou Saumur area in the Val de Loire.

This alignment is intended to ensure that winegrowers are better informed, and to simplify inspections. This amendment gives winegrowers the possibility of adapting when frosts occur, which is happening later and later in the year.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended.

4.   Maturity

The minimum sugar content of the grapes has been raised from 221 to 238 grams per litre. This increase was made to improve the quality of the wines, which are wines with residual sugars.

In order to take account of the difficulty of fermenting musts with the highest sugar content, the actual alcoholic strength by volume is no longer subject to a ceiling in the case of wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume of at least 18 %.

Point 4 of the single document has been amended.

5.   Link

The Link section has been edited, and the reference to the year 2018 has been changed to 2021.

Point 8 of the single document has been amended.

6.   Transitional measures

Transitional measures no longer in force have been deleted.

The single document has not been amended.

7.   Main points for checking

Harvesting by hand in multiple passes has been added to the main points to be checked.

The single document has not been amended.

8.   Editorial amendments

A number of editorial amendments have been made to the specification.

These amendments do not require any amendments to the single document.

9.   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.

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

10.   Labelling

The rules on labelling have been clarified and aligned with those of the other designations in the Anjou Saumur area in the Val de Loire. This is a purely editorial amendment.

Point 9 of the single document has been amended.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine product

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

These are still white wines made from grapes harvested when overripe (natural concentration on the vine, with or without noble rot). They are elegant wines, with highly complex aromas (of flowers, fresh or even dried or candied fruit), combining smoothness and freshness in the mouth. They have: a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 14 %; a fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content after fermentation greater than or equal to 34 g/l. The minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume is 11 % for wines with a natural alcoholic strength by volume below 18 %. The total acid and total sulphur dioxide content are those set out in EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)	18
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
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.   Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Enrichment is permitted according to the rules set out in the specification.

2.   Use of wood chips

Specific oenological practice

The use of wood chips is forbidden. In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

3.   Density

Growing method

The minimum vine planting density is 4 000 plants per hectare. Spacing between vine rows must not exceed 2,50 metres, and spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,90 metres.

Grape harvests are eligible for the controlled designation of origin if they come from vineyard parcels with spacing of at least 0,80 metres but less than 0.90 metres between plants in the same row, where they are on slopes of more than 10 %.

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. The spacing between the rows of the vines must not exceed 3 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.

4.   Size

Growing method

The vines are pruned with a maximum of 12 buds per plant, regardless of whether spur pruning, cane pruning or mixed pruning is used.

At the phenological stage corresponding to 11 or 12 leaves (separate buds), the number of fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant must not exceed 12.

5.   Harvesting

Growing method

The grapes are harvested by hand in multiple passes.

6.   Irrigation

Growing method

Irrigation is prohibited.

7.   Ageing

Specific oenological practice

The wines must be aged until at least 15 January of the year following the harvest.

5.2.   Maximum yields

40 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

All stages of production take place in the geographical area, which encompasses the municipalities of the Maine-et-Loire department named below, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2021: Bouchemaine, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Ingrandes-Le Fresne-sur-Loire (only the territory of the former municipality of Ingrandes), Mauges-sur-Loire (only the territory of the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), La Possonnière, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Maps showing the geographical area can be viewed on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality.

7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)

Chenin B

8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Information on the geographical area

a)   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area corresponds to the shale slopes lining the banks of the River Loire. It is the most westerly part of the vineyards to which the ‘Anjou’ controlled designation of origin applies. In 2021, it covered eight western municipalities of the Maine-et-Loire department. It begins on the outskirts of Angers, in the municipality of Bouchemaine, where the Loire and Maine rivers meet, before continuing either side of the river, as far as Ingrandes and Le Mesnil-en-Vallée, towards Nantes.

The mesoclimate is greatly influenced by the river. The vineyards are located on the slopes closest to the river bank and do not extend more than 3 kilometres beyond it. Beyond that, to the north and the south, the landscape mainly consists of meadows and woodland. The name ‘Coteaux de la Loire’ [coteaux = slopes] evokes the topography of the vineyards, with their varied inclinations. The very steep slopes of the municipality of Bouchemaine contrast with the much more gentle slopes of the municipalities of Ingrandes and Saint-Georges-sur-Loire.

The soils of parcels specifically demarcated for harvesting grapes are derived from the various primary formations of the Armorican Massif. These are poorly developed shale or shale/sandstone soils. Some developed soils derived from volcanic rock and some Devonian brown limestone soils can also be found here. These are very shallow soils, the bedrock usually lying at a depth of less than 0,40 m. They are devoid of any sign of hydromorphy and have very low water reserves.

The climate is oceanic. The oceanic nature of the climate is moderated by the Foehn effect of the Mauges uplands to the west of the vineyards. Mean annual precipitation is 650 millimetres, the geographical area as a whole being sheltered from humid winds; it exceeds 800 millimetres over the Mauges uplands. The Loire also plays a role in regulating temperatures throughout the year.

Alongside topography, the exposure of the slopes is also a key factor. On the right bank, the south-facing vineyards are well positioned, as they are sheltered from the cold northerly winds. On the left bank, the draining effect of the river on the cold air plays a prominent role in warming the north-facing slopes. Some valley locations are protected from the wind and enjoy a heat gain. Finally, the Loire plays a key role during the harvesting period by helping to form morning mists, which are essential for the development of ‘noble rot’.

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

The history of the Anjou vineyards dates as far back as the 9th century, although the first exact reference to the ‘Coteaux de la Loire’ vineyards appears in 1749 in ‘Traité sur la nature et la culture de la vigne’, a treatise by Messrs Bidet and Duhamel de Monceau, which states that in these vineyards ‘The land, which is very difficult to clear, has now been fully developed and planted with vines ...’.

A bill before the Council of State on administrative measures taken in 1804 reveals that the region produces only white wines: ‘The slopes of the Loire are suited only to the production of white wines, and these wines form a significant branch of the local economy ...’. The bill also refers to Belgium, which at that time was partial to ‘Coteaux de la Loire’ wines.

More recently, in 1842, Mr Auguste Petit-Lafitte wrote that ‘Gros Pineau, or Chenin, is the main grape variety.’ The Anjou vineyards are the cradle of the Chenin B grape variety. A hardy variety, its potential varies greatly according to the type of soil or, more generally, where it is planted. Producers were very quick to understand that this variety should be harvested at an advanced stage of ripeness, using specific techniques. Count Odart wrote the following in his 1845 ‘Traité des cépages’ treatise: ‘We should also add the condition of not harvesting the grapes until around All Saints Day, when the grapes are overripe and their skin sphacelous after being softened by the rains.’

Overripeness therefore forms an integral part of the harvest. In his 1816 work ‘Topographie de tous les vignobles connus’, Jullien noted that ‘In good vintages, the grapes are harvested several times; the first two times, only the ripest of grapes are harvested, to produce wines for export; the third harvest produces wines for domestic French consumption ...’.

8.2.   Nonetheless, vine-growing in these vineyards would evolve the same way as in the rest of the Anjou. The arrival of Dutch merchants in the 16th century led to the growth of a market in ‘wines for the sea’, i.e. for export, produced from short-pruned vines (one or two nodes). This period also saw the growth of the domestic French – mainly Parisian – market, with wines of a lesser reputation produced from long-pruned vines (six or seven nodes).

At the end of the Second World War, production shifted mainly towards ‘semi-dry’ wines, similar to the ‘wines for Paris’ of old. Efforts to produce wines with a strong identity, and a high sugar concentration, re-emerged during the 1980s.

Wines bearing the controlled designation of origin ‘Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire’ are considered to be great ‘sweet’ (known locally as ‘syrupy’) wines of the Anjou.

Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

These wines are mainly characterised by their elegance. With their highly complex aromas, mostly of flowers, fresh or even dried or candied fruit, these wines recall the douceur angevine – the gentleness of the Anjou region. In the mouth, they combine smoothness and freshness. Docile like the Loire in summer, or pervasive like when it floods in winter, wines with the controlled designation of origin ‘Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire’ reveal their charm over time.

Causal interactions

The combination of shallow soils and a topography that provides outstanding exposure, ensuring a regular water supply, allows the Chenin B variety to reach its full potential.

The position of the vineyards – in immediate proximity to the Loire, which regulates temperatures throughout the growing cycle – aided by suitable management, in particular spur pruning, allows the grapes to reach their optimum ripeness level. The presence of the Loire also allows the grapes to reach overripeness, through the winds channelled by the river, mechanically favouring the drying of the grapes through the formation of morning mists, which are key to the development of Botrytis cinerea and, therefore, ‘noble rot’.

Waiting for the grapes to become overripe; leaving the harvest until well into the autumn; and harvesting by hand in multiple passes within a single parcel in order to select berries that are naturally concentrated or affected by ‘noble rot’ (‘roasted’): these practices reveal both the know-how of producers and the particular aptitude of the Chenin B variety. This aptitude was described by Guillory senior in 1861: ‘With very few exceptions, harvesting takes place in October, once the grapes are deemed perfectly ripe and at least a quarter of them are affected by noble rot.’

The combination of such a specific environment, a grape variety perfectly suited to it, and local expertise in exploiting all the qualities it has to offer, helps produce especially original wines. There are numerous references to the reputation of these wines, including one by Mr Petit-Lafitte, who writes that ‘When these vines are trained into one or two nodes, they produce syrupy, delicate wines destined for Belgium.’

As for Guillory senior, in 1861, he wrote the following in an Angers Agricultural and Industrial Company Bulletin: ‘The land here is not well suited to other crops without incurring considerable expense, as it is not very fertile; for that very reason, it does not produce an abundance of wine; thus, were it not for the quality of the wine, which keeps the price rather high, vine-growing itself would have had to be abandoned here.’

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 ageing of wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 2021:

—	department of Loire-Atlantique: Vair-sur-Loire (only the territory of the delegated municipality of Anetz);

—

department of Maine-et-Loire: Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Denée, Mauges-sur-Loire (only the territory of the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Rochefort-sur-Loire, Savennières, Val-du-Layon (only the territory of the delegated municipality of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné).

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Under EU rules, the use of optional terms may be regulated by the Member States. On the labels, the size of the letters used for such terms must not be larger, either in height, width or thickness, than double the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

Specificity of the name ‘Val de Loire’

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

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.

Labelling: Smaller 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 a smaller geographical unit on their label, provided that: - it is a place name listed in the land registry; - 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-875a2642-735c-41b5-9f24-f1587eff7895

---

(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.