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

(2023/C 182/04)

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

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Coteaux de Narbonne’

PGI-FR-A1202-AM01

Date of communication: 24.2.2023

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Area in immediate proximity

Chapter I, Section 4.2 – Area in immediate proximity – of the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ has been corrected. The municipality of ‘Cuxac d’Aude’ has been removed from the list because it is included in the geographical area.

This correction has also been made to the section ‘Further conditions – Area in immediate proximity’ of the single document.

2.   Vine varieties

Chapter I, Section 5 – Vine varieties – of the specification for the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ protected geographical indication has been corrected.

The list of varieties selected for the production of the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ protected geographical indication has been supplemented with the following varieties:

—	13 varieties considered ‘resistant’ to vine diseases have been added:

Artaban N, Cabernet Blanc B, Cabernet Cortis N, Floreal B, Monarch N, Muscaris B, Prior N, Saphira B, Soreli B, Souvignier Gris B, Sauvignac B, Vidoc N, Voltis B.

—	12 varieties adapted to climate change have been added:

Agiorgitiko N, Assyrtyko B, Calabrese N, Carricante B, Fiano B, Montepulciano N, Moschofilero Rs, Primitivo N, Roditis Rs, Touriga Nacional N, Verdejo B, Xinomavro N.

These varieties are resistant to drought and fungal diseases. With similar physiological and oenological properties to the varieties used in the PGI production, they reduce the need for plant protection products. They do not affect the characteristics of the PGI wines.

—	Eight varieties not used in the production of the PGI have been removed from the list:

Altesse B, Chasselas B, Chasselas Rs, Danlas B, Gamay de Chaudenay N, Ganson N, Mondeuse N, Ribol N.

These amendments have also been made to the single document under ‘Wine grape varieties’.

3.   Inspection body

Chapter III of the specification for the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ protected geographical indication has been amended to simplify the section entitled ‘Inspection body’, specifying that compliance with the product specification must be checked on the basis of an approved control plan and by a third-party body delegated by the INAO and offering guarantees of competence, impartiality and independence.

This simplification does not affect the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Coteaux de Narbonne

2.   Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected geographical indication

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ protected geographical indication covers still red, rosé and white wines.

The minimum and maximum levels for total alcoholic strength by volume, total acidity, volatile acidity and total sulphur dioxide are those set by EU legislation.

The excellent ripening conditions and the adaptation of the grape varieties produce wines with a strong Mediterranean character.

The red wines generally have a fairly deep colour. They are powerful and robust with fruity aromas. The structure of the tannins varies depending on the wine-making technologies used.

The rosé and white wines are smooth and elegant, big and fruity, and usually produced to be drunk young.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)	11
Minimum total acidity
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

All wine-making practices followed must comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

5.2.   Maximum yields

100 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The harvesting of the grapes and the production and development of wines bearing the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ PGI must take place in the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Aude:

Armissan, Coursan, Cuxac-d’Aude, Fleury-d’Aude, Narbonne (except for cadastral sections KW, KX, KY, KZ, LM, LN, G6 and G7), Marcorignan, Moussan, Ouveillan, Salles-d’Aude, Sallèles d’Aude, Vinassan.

7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)

Agiorgitiko N

Alicante Henri Bouschet N

Alphonse Lavallée N

Alvarinho – Albariño

Aramon N

Aranel B

Arinarnoa N

Arriloba B

Artaban N

Assyrtiko B

Aubun N – Murescola

Bourboulenc B – Doucillon Blanc

Cabernet Blanc B

Cabernet Cortis N

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Calabrese N

Caladoc N

Cardinal Rg

Carignan N

Carignan Blanc B

Carmenère N

Carricante

Chardonnay B

Chasan B

Chenanson N

Chenin B

Cinsaut N – Cinsault

Clairette B

Clairette Rose Rs

Colombard B

Cot N – Malbec

Egiodola N

Fer N – Fer Servadou, Braucol, Mansois, Pinenc

Fiano

Floreal B

Gamay N

Gewürztraminer Rs

Gramon N

Grenache N

Grenache Blanc B

Grenache Gris G

Gros Manseng B

Jurançon Noir N – Dame Noire

Listan B – Palomino

Lledoner Pelut N

Macabeu B – Macabeo

Marsanne B

Marselan N

Mauzac B

Mauzac Rose Rs

Merlot N

Monarch N

Monerac N

Montepulciano

Morrastel N – Minustellu, Graciano

Moschofilero Rs

Mourvèdre N – Monastrell

Muscaris B

Muscat d’Alexandrie B – Muscat, Moscato

Muscat de Hambourg N – Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à Petits Grains Blancs B – Muscat, Moscato

Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges Rg – Muscat, Moscato

Nielluccio N – Nielluciu

Négrette N

Parrellada B

Petit Manseng B

Petit Verdot N

Pinot Blanc B

Pinot Gris G

Pinot Noir N

Piquepoul Blanc B

Piquepoul Noir N

Portan N

Primitivo N – Zinfandel

Prior N

Ribol N

Riesling B

Roditis Rs

Roussanne B

Saphira B

Sauvignac

Sauvignon B – Sauvignon blanc

Sauvignon Gris G – Fié Gris

Semillon B

Soreli B

Souvignier Gris Rs

Sylvaner B

Syrah N – Shiraz

Tannat N

Tempranillo N

Terret Blanc B

Terret Gris G

Terret Noir N

Tourbat B

Touriga Nacional N

Ugni Blanc B

Verdejo B

Verdelho B

Vermentino B – Rolle

Vidoc N

Villard Blanc B

Viognier B

Voltis B

Xinomavro N

8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Specificity of the geographical area and specificity of the product

The production area of the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ PGI is located around the town of Narbonne, in the department of Aude in the South of France, in Languedoc-Roussillon.

The vineyards are spread over the gentle hills of the Narbonne region. Rarely exceeding an altitude of 100 m, they are established on hillside soils, most often limestone, and on the old delta of the Aude River on deeper soils that favour the diversification of vine varieties.

The vineyards benefit from a strictly Mediterranean climate that is particularly favourable for vine cultivation, characterised by warm and dry summers and mild winters, with two rainy periods in autumn and in spring. The average annual rainfall is less than 500 mm.

The area is very windy, with often strong west wind alternations, which is highly favourable in terms of keeping grapes in a good state of health, and frequent gusts of sea air, bringing moisture and freshness during summer nights, which helps the grapes to ripen well.

Narbonne’s first development took place 2 000 years ago, when it became the capital of Roman Gaul, at a crossroads between the Via Domitia and the Via Aquitania, and a sea crossroads because it was a very important port that made it possible to develop vineyards whose wines were exported throughout Europe.

Despite fluctuating fortunes, the vineyards have always been rebuilt, becoming in the 19th and 20th centuries a monoculture that ensured the region’s economic development. During the phylloxera epidemic, it was on the plains of the Narbonne region that one of the first replenishments of Languedoc’s vineyards was possible.

The ‘Vin de pays’ recognition by Decree of 25 January 1982 allowed the winegrowers, thanks to a strict specification, to produce wines that meet the demands of consumers. More recently, the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ PGI has been extended to six municipalities between Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea, thus creating a coherent production area and stimulating its economy.

Production is now around 10 000 hl from nine municipalities, most of which are blended red wines, but also rosé and white wines, demand for which is constantly developing.

The varieties, which are mainly Mediterranean grape varieties grown in this PGI area since ancient times, have been supplemented by external varieties with shorter cycles, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the case of the reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon in the case of the white wines.

Wine-making techniques have been optimised, benefiting from the presence in the PGI area of the research centre of the National Institute for Agricultural Research of Pech Rouge.

8.2.   Causal link between the specificity of the geographical area and the specificity of the product

Due to its soil and climate conditions, which favour vine-growing, and its geographical location, at a crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Narbonne has always been a city of wine and trade.

The winegrowers of ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ have been able to preserve the identity and wine-growing tradition of this small region with a particularly favourable climate for vine cultivation.

The continued existence of these vineyards is testament to the unchanging wine-making practices that have been passed down through successive generations of winemakers, thus demonstrating their commitment to their products.

The long-established reputation of ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ wines is built on trade between the Mediterranean coast and the Atlantic coast.

The ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ PGI benefits fully from those advantages, and while retaining their historical roots, its wines have also benefited fully from the introduction of new grape varieties and the technological developments that its winegrowers have put into practice.

The winegrowers have been able to adapt the vine varieties, which are mainly Mediterranean varieties on the slopes and Atlantic and northern varieties in the lowland vineyards.

The strong development of tourism also makes it possible to raise awareness of all of the area’s wine products, including the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ PGI, with a significant network of tasting cellars and numerous wine-making events.

Life around vineyards and wine is therefore always at the heart of economic activity and makes a major contribution to the development of this sensitive area, where vines play a particularly important role as firebreaks each summer.

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The protected geographical indication ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ may be supplemented by the following:

the name of one or more grape varieties;

the word ‘primeur’ (‘early’) or ‘nouveau’ (‘new’).

The European Union PGI logo must appear on the label if the words ‘Indication géographique protégée’ (‘Protected geographical indication’) are replaced by the traditional term ‘Vin de pays’.

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 making and development of wines with the ‘Coteaux de Narbonne’ protected geographical indication, comprises the following municipalities bordering the geographical area:

—	Department of Aude: Argeliers, Bages, Bizanet, Gruissan, Mirepeisset, Montredon des Corbières, Névian, Peyriac de Mer, Port la Nouvelle, Raissac d’Aude, Saint André de Roquelongue, Saint Marcel d’Aude, Saint Nazaire d’Aude, Sigean.

—	Department of Hérault: Capestang, Cruzy, Lespignan, Montels, Nissan les Ensérunes, Quarante, Vendres.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-3f08707f-bc60-4bab-b4f4-759e5ed9b81b

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(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.