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 520/11)

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

‘Pomerol’

PDO-FR-A0273-AM02

Date of communication: 26 October 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Geographical area

Additions have been made to the specification for the designation ‘Pomerol’ regarding the specific area in which the grapes are harvested and the wine is made and matured. This update was necessary in order to take into account current practice.

Point 6 of the single document has been amended accordingly.

2.   Demarcated parcel area

In section IV(2) of Chapter I of the specification, the words ‘and 2 June 2021’ have been added after ‘4 February 2000’.

The purpose of this amendment is to add the date on which the relevant national authority approved changes to the demarcated parcel area within the geographical area of production. Demarcation is carried out by identifying the parcels within the geographical area of production that are suitable for producing the product covered by the protected designation of origin.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

3.   Irrigation

The option to irrigate the vineyard parcels has been added in the case of persistent drought affecting the correct physiological development of the vines and the ripening of the grapes. The maximum crop load per parcel has been reduced for irrigated parcels.

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

4.   Agri-environmental provisions

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

—	Dead vines must be removed from the parcels. No dead vines may be held on the parcels.

—	Chemical weed control is prohibited. Only mechanical or physical methods can be used to control weeds on the parcels.

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

The ban on chemical weed-killers will lead to a reduction in the use of plant health products. This in turn will mean more attention paid to environmental expectations.

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.   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.

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Pomerol

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The wines are still, dry, red wines.

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %.

Every batch of wine sold, in bulk or packaged, has a malic acid content of no more than 0,30 grams per litre.

Every batch of wine sold, in bulk or packaged, has a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) of no more than 2 grams per litre.

The total acidity levels are as laid down in EU legislation.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)	13,5
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity	in milliequivalents per litre
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Specific oenological practice

Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %.

After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13,5 %.

In addition to the above provisions, all wine-making practices followed must also comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

2.   Cultivation method

a)   Planting density

The minimum vine planting density is 5 500 plants per hectare.

The spacing between the rows of these vines must not exceed 2 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,80 metres.

b)   Pruning rules

Pruning is carried out by the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest, using the following techniques:

—	single or double Guyot;

—	spur pruning on cordon de Royat;

—	shoot (or long) pruning.

Each plant has a maximum of 10 buds.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.	60 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

Based on the official geographic code dated 1 January 2021, the geographical area is confined to the territory of the following municipalities and parts of municipalities in the Gironde department:

a)	the municipality of Pomerol;

b)

the part of the territory of the municipality of Libourne established by the judgment of the civil court of Bordeaux on 29 December 1928, bordered to the north by the Barbanne river, to the east by the boundary of the municipality of Pomerol, to the south by the Tailhas stream, to the west by departmental road 910, boulevard Beauséjour, avenue Georges Clémenceau, rue du Docteur-Nard, avenue de l’Europe and the Libourne-Bergerac railway line;

c)	the parcel located in the municipality of Lalande-de-Pomerol referred to in Annex 1-A, which produces wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Pomerol’, pursuant to the judgment of the Bordeaux civil court of 29 December 1928;

d)	the parcels listed in Annex 1-B for the municipality of Saint-Emilion;

e)

the parcels listed in Annex 1-C for the following municipalities: Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Libourne, Lussac, Montagne, Néac and Saint-Emilion. Grapes may be harvested in the territories referred to in points a), b), c) and d) above. Wine may be made, matured and aged in the territories referred to in points a), b), c) and e) above.

7.   Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

Petit Verdot N

8.   Description of the link(s)

The selected parcels allow local varieties to be represented. These grape varieties have been selected over time for their suitability for ageing, taking into account the need for these products to be transported over considerable distances. In addition to the favourable climate, the wines of Pomerol owe their unmistakeable character to the clay substrate of the Tertiary, the cool environment allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, the highly controlled supply of water to the vine, the patches of surface gravel ranging from compact to sandy, providing good drainage and reflecting light towards the vines, and the subsoil with its iron oxides, known as ‘crasse de fer’, providing specific minerals.

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:

Wines with this protected designation of origin may specify the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’ on their labels.

The size of the letters for the broader geographical unit must not be larger, either in 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

http://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-458a787d-1989-4268-a537-d9dea8972ab7

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(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.