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 62/05)

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

‘Haut-Médoc’

PDO-FR-A0710-AM05

Date of communication: 23.11.2022

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Official Geographic Code

The list of municipalities included in the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity has been updated on the basis of the 2022 Official Geographic Code.

This merely changes the wording and has no impact on the geographical area.

Points 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended in line with these changes.

2. Varieties for adaptation purposes

The varieties Arinarnoa N, Castets N, Marselan N and Touriga Nacional N have been added to the specification. These are late varieties, which can be of advantage in the context of a warming climate. The fact that they are not very susceptible to rot, downy mildew or powdery mildew is also an asset. All four varieties are suitable for producing deeply coloured, complex, full-bodied and structured wines, in line with the characteristics typical of ‘Médoc’ red wines.

These varieties must not make up more than 5 % of the variety mix and 10 % of the blend.

The single document has not been amended.

3. Spacing between plants

The minimum spacing between plants in the same row is reduced from 0,80 m to 0,70 m.

This allows increased planting density, resulting in greater competition between vines and better-quality grapes.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended.

4. Pruning

The pruning rules have been adapted for vineyards where the spacing between plants is between 0,70 m and 0,80 m.

Point 5 of the single document has been amended.

5. Agri-environmental provisions

Various environmental provisions have been added:

—	Dead vines must be removed from the parcels and must not be left there.

—	Before each new planting, operators must carry out a physical and chemical analysis of the soil of the vine-growing parcel to collect all the necessary information on its potential and on the vine-growing conditions.

—	To preserve the characteristics of the physical and biological environment, which is a fundamental part of the local area:

—	chemical weed control is prohibited on headlands;

—	full chemical weed control on parcels is prohibited;

—	operators 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.

The single document has not been amended.

6. Maturing

The earliest end date of the maturing process is brought forward from 31 May to 31 March of the year following the harvest.

Allowing a shorter maturing period makes it possible to bring out a more fruity taste and to produce both easy-to-drink wines and more sophisticated wines suitable for ageing.

This also affects the date from which the wine can be sold to consumers.

It also requires an amendment to the link.

Point 8 of the single document has been amended.

7. Transitional measures

Transitional measures no longer in force have been deleted.

The single document has not been amended.

8. Main points to be checked

The additional volume for individual producers has been added to the main points to be checked.

The single document has not been amended.

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.

The single document has not been amended.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Haut-Médoc

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

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

The wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment must not exceed 13 %.

Every batch of wine sold in bulk or packaged has a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content of less than or equal to 3 grams per litre.

Every batch of wine sold in bulk or packaged before 1 October of the year following the year of harvest has a volatile acidity content of less than or equal to 12,25 milliequivalents per litre (0,60 grams per litre expressed as H2SO4). After that date, the volatile acidity content must not exceed 16,33 milliequivalents per litre (0,80 grams per litre expressed as H2SO4).

Every batch of wine sold in bulk has an SO2 content of less than or equal to 0,140 milligrams per litre.

Every batch of wine sold in bulk or packaged has a malic acid content of less than or equal to 0,20 grams per litre.

The wines in question are still, tannic red wines of a deep colour and with excellent ageing qualities. They are usually obtained by blending, and Cabernet Sauvignon N is typically the main grape variety. This variety gives the wines spicy notes, which blend with vanilla notes in wines aged in barrels. Merlot N makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit, and Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N enhance the wines’ structure and complexity (adding freshness in years of good ripeness, in the case of Petit Verdot N).

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)
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.	Density and distance

Growing method

The minimum planting density of the vines is 6 500 plants per hectare. The distance between the rows is 1,80 metres or less, and the spacing between plants in the same row is at least 0,70 metres.

2.	Pruning rules

Growing method

Pruning is mandatory. It is carried out at the unfolded leaves stage (Lorenz stage 9) at the latest.

In vineyards where the spacing between plants in a row is more than 0,80 m, the following pruning methods may be used:

—	two-cane pruning, double Guyot or Médoc, with a maximum of five buds per cane;

—	single Guyot or mixed Guyot, with a maximum of seven buds per vine;

—	short pruning, fan pruning to four arms or two cordons, with a maximum of 12 buds per vine, or to one cordon with no more than seven buds per vine.

In vineyards where the spacing between plants in a row is between 0,70 m and 0,80 m, only pruning to one cordon, fan pruning to a maximum of four arms and single Guyot pruning are allowed. These vineyards are also subject to a maximum load of seven buds per vine.

3.	Enrichment

Specific oenological practice

Reductive methods of enrichment are permitted up to a concentration rate of 15 %.

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

5.2. Maximum yields

65 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, processed and matured in the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2022: Arcins, Arsac, Avensan, Blanquefort, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Cissac-Médoc, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Labarde, Lamarque, Listrac-Médoc, Ludon-Médoc, Macau, Margaux-Cantenac, Moulis-en-Médoc, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Le Pian-Médoc, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, Sainte-Hélène, Soussans, Le Taillan-Médoc and Vertheuil.

7. Main wine grape varieties

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Carmenère N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

Petit Verdot N

8. Description of the link(s)

The geographical area of the ‘Haut-Médoc’ registered designation of origin covers the left bank of the Garonne and of the Gironde extending from the conurbation of Bordeaux. The area stretches over almost 50 kilometres from Le Taillan-Médoc in the south to Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne in the north, and about a dozen kilometres from east to west. The geographical area thus partly overlaps with that of the ‘Médoc’ registered designation of origin and concerns the municipalities upstream of the Gironde estuary, hence the name. The area spans 28 municipalities of the Gironde department.

Although the climate is predominantly Atlantic, the ‘Haut-Médoc’ river banks differ from the municipalities of the Médoc located further north in that seasonal fluctuations and rainfall are more moderate. These favourable climatic conditions are due to the presence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde, whose waters have the effect of regulating temperatures.

The oceanic climate, in some years combined with periods of rain and low pressure in autumn, or, conversely, hot and very sunny late seasons, creates a notable ‘vintage effect’. The area’s main characteristics are, however, linked above all to the geology typical of this sedimentary basin, the specific geological history of its soils, its landscape and topography, and the current soil composition of its vineyards.

Médoc wines have gained worldwide renown thanks to generations of winegrowers who have expertly exploited the special characteristics of the land. Over time, the winegrowers’ detailed knowledge of the soils and expert use of drainage techniques to further improve their quality have allowed them to develop the best possible growing methods for producing red wines suited for ageing. Recent progress in plant health and the mechanisation of vineyards have not altered the winegrowers’ determination to maintain growing methods allowing them to produce typical red wines with good keeping qualities.

Historically, ‘Haut-Médoc’ has been made from various grape varieties selected for their suitability for producing, through careful blending, wines with good keeping qualities. Médoc winegrowers thus reserve specific vine varieties for particular types of soil: Merlot N for colluvial soils, Carmenère N for poor and dry gravel soils, Cabernet Franc N for calcareous resurgences or dry sandy soils, also suitable for the Cot N variety, and Petit Verdot N for leached brown soils. Cabernet Sauvignon N, the principal variety in the blend, thrives in deep gravel soils.

This diversity requires selective management of the vineyard, in terms of limiting the distance between rows and monitoring the maximum load per parcel and per plant.

The reputation and renown of ‘Haut-Médoc’ wines are essentially linked to its various traditional classifications, namely ‘cru’, ‘Château’ and various quality wines. In 1647, when the ‘Jurade de Bordeaux’ issued the first ranking of Guyenne wines in history, the reputation of wines from the Médoc parishes was already established. Under Louis XV, this classification was refined by region, divided first by parish and then by ‘cru’. In the 19th century, at the time of the 1855 World Exhibition, the ranking of Bordeaux ‘crus’ was formalised by the Classification of Bordeaux wines.

The reputation of ‘Haut-Médoc’ wines is linked, among other things, to the five ‘classified crus’ produced within the geographical area of the registered designation of origin.

In the 20th century, the 1932 classification of Médoc ‘crus bourgeois’ included 444 wines classified as ‘cru’, 153 of which belong to the ‘Haut-Médoc’ registered designation of origin.

‘Haut-Médoc’ wines are tannic wines deep red in colour, usually made by blending various grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon N, typically the principal variety, gives the wine spicy notes that combine perfectly with the vanilla notes produced by ageing in barrels – a method used more often than for the ‘Médoc’ registered designation of origin. The Merlot N variety makes for round, soft wines with aromas of red fruit. Cabernet Franc N and Petit Verdot N enhance the wines’ structure and complexity, also adding freshness in years of good ripeness in the case of Petit Verdot N.

The vines are managed so as to obtain very ripe and healthy grapes, with a controlled yield. Long maceration periods allow more concentrated wines to be obtained. For a more delicate taste, ageing is therefore essential. ‘Haut-Médoc’ wines have excellent ageing qualities.

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 making of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2022: Bégadan, Blaignan-Prignac, Civrac-en-Médoc, Couquèques, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Lesparre-Médoc, Naujac-sur-Mer, Ordonnac, Queyrac, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Valeyrac and Vensac.

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 processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of the department of Gironde, based on the Official Geographic Code in force on 1 January 2022: Abzac, Aillas, Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Ambès, Anglade, Arbanats, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Artigues-près-Bordeaux, Arveyres, Asques, Aubiac, Auriolles, Auros, Ayguemorte-Les-Graves, Bagas, Baigneaux, Barie, Baron, Barsac, Bassanne, Bassens, Baurech, Bayas, Bayon-sur-Gironde, Bazas, Beautiran, Bégadan, Bègles, Béguey, Bellebat, Bellefond, Belvès-de-Castillon, Bernos-Beaulac, Berson, Berthez, Beychac-et-Caillau, Bieujac, Les Billaux, Birac, Blaignac, Blaignan-Prignac, Blasimon, Blaye, Blésignac, Bommes, Bonnetan, Bonzac, Bordeaux, Bossugan, Bouliac, Bourdelles, Bourg, Le Bouscat, Branne, Brannens, Braud-et-Saint-Louis, La Brède, Brouqueyran, Bruges, Budos, Cabanac-et-Villagrains, Cabara, Cadarsac, Cadaujac, Cadillac, Cadillac-en-Fronsadais, Camarsac, Cambes, Camblanes-et-Meynac, Camiac-et-Saint-Denis, Camiran, Camps-sur-l’Isle, Campugnan, Canéjan, Capian, Caplong, Carbon-Blanc, Cardan, Carignan-de-Bordeaux, Cars, Cartelègue, Casseuil, Castelmoron-d’Albret, Castelviel, Castets et Castillon, Castillon-la-Bataille, Castres-Gironde, Caudrot, Caumont, Cauvignac, Cavignac, Cazats, Cazaugitat, Cénac, Cenon, Cérons, Cessac, Cestas, Cézac, Chamadelle, Civrac-de-Blaye, Civrac-sur-Dordogne, Civrac-en-Médoc, Cleyrac, Coimères, Coirac, Comps, Coubeyrac, Couquèques, Courpiac, Cours-de-Monségur, Cours-les-Bains, Coutras, Coutures, Créon, Croignon, Cubnezais, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Cudos, Cursan, Daignac, Dardenac, Daubèze, Dieulivol, Donnezac, Donzac, Doulezon, Les Eglisottes-et-Chalaures, Escoussans, Espiet, Les Esseintes, Etauliers, Eynesse, Eyrans, Eysines, Faleyras, Fargues, Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, Le Fieu, Flaujagues, Floirac, Floudès, Fontet, Fossés-et-Baleyssac, Fours, Francs, Fronsac, Frontenac, Gabarnac, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Gajac, Galgon, Gans, Gardegan-et-Tourtirac, Gauriac, Gauriaguet, Générac, Génissac, Gensac, Gironde-sur-Dropt, Gornac, Gours, Gradignan, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, Grézillac, Grignols, Guillac, Guillos, Guîtres, Le Haillan, Haux, Hure, Illats, Isle-Saint-Georges, Izon, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Jugazan, Juillac, Labescau, Ladaux, Lados, Lagorce, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lamothe-Landerron, La Lande-de-Fronsac, Landerrouat, Landerrouet-sur-Ségur, Landiras, Langoiran, Langon, Lansac, Lapouyade, Laroque, Laruscade, Latresne, Lavazan, Léogeats, Léognan, Lesparre-Médoc, Lestiac-sur-Garonne, Les Lèves-et-Thoumeyragues, Libourne, Lignan-de-Bazas, Lignan-de-Bordeaux, Ligueux, Listrac-de-Durèze, Lormont, Loubens, Loupes, Loupiac, Loupiac-de-la-Réole, Lugaignac, Lugasson, Lugon-et-l’Ile-du-Carnay, Lussac, Madirac, Maransin, Marcenais, Margueron, Marimbault, Marions, Marsas, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Martillac, Martres, Masseilles, Massugas, Mauriac, Mazères, Mazion, Mérignac, Mérignas, Mesterrieux, Mombrier, Mongauzy, Monprimblanc, Monségur, Montagne, Montagoudin, Montignac, Montussan, Morizès, Mouillac, Mouliets-et-Villemartin, Moulon, Mourens, Naujac-sur-Mer, Naujan-et-Postiac, Néac, Nérigean, Neuffons, Le Nizan, Noaillac, Noaillan, Omet, Ordonnac, Paillet, Les Peintures, Pellegrue, Périssac, Pessac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Peujard, Le Pian-sur-Garonne, Pineuilh, Plassac, Pleine-Selve, Podensac, Pomerol, Pompéjac, Pompignac, Pondaurat, Porchères, Porte-de-Benauge, Portets, Le Pout, Préchac, Preignac, Prignac-et-Marcamps, Pugnac, Puisseguin, Pujols, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Le Puy, Puybarban, Puynormand, Queyrac, Quinsac, Rauzan, Reignac, La Réole, Rimons, Riocaud, Rions, La Rivière, Roaillan, Romagne, Roquebrune, La Roquille, Ruch, Sablons, Sadirac, Saillans, Saint-Aignan, Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Saint-André-du-Bois, Saint-André-et-Appelles, Saint-Androny, Saint-Antoine-du-Queyret, Saint-Antoine-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Aubin-de-Blaye, Saint-Aubin-de-Branne, Saint-Avit-de-Soulège, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Brice, Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Christophe-de-Double, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac, Saint-Ciers-de-Canesse, Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, Saint-Côme, Saint-Denis-de-Pile, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Exupéry, Saint-Félix-de-Foncaude, Saint-Ferme, Saint-Genès-de-Blaye, Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, Saint-Genès-de-Fronsac, Saint-Genès-de-Lombaud, Saint-Genis-du-Bois, Saint-Germain-de-Grave, Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière, Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil, Saint-Germain-du-Puch, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Girons-d’Aiguevives, Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille, Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Saint-Laurent-d’Arce, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Laurent-du-Plan, Saint-Léon, Saint-Loubert, Saint-Loubès, Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand, Saint-Macaire, Saint-Magne-de-Castillon, Saint-Maixant, Saint-Mariens, Saint-Martial, Saint-Martin-de-Laye, Saint-Martin-de-Lerm, Saint-Martin-de-Sescas, Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Puy, Saint-Martin-Lacaussade, Saint-Médard-de-Guizières, Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans, Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac, Saint-Michel-de-Lapujade, Saint-Michel-de-Rieufret, Saint-Morillon, Saint-Palais, Saint-Pardon-de-Conques, Saint-Paul, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Pey-de-Castets, Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille, Saint-Philippe-du-Seignal, Saint-Pierre-d’Aurillac, Saint-Pierre-de-Bat, Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, Saint-Quentin-de-Baron, Saint-Quentin-de-Caplong, Saint-Romain-la-Virvée, Saint-Sauveur-de-Puynormand, Saint-Savin, Saint-Selve, Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, Saint-Seurin-de-Cursac, Saint-Seurin-sur-l’Isle, Saint-Sève, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Saint-Sulpice-de-Guilleragues, Saint-Sulpice-de-Pommiers, Saint-Sulpice-et-Cameyrac, Saint-Trojan, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, Saint-Vivien-de-Blaye, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Vivien-de-Monségur, Saint-Yzan-de-Soudiac, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Sainte-Colombe, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Sainte-Eulalie, Sainte-Florence, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Longue, Sainte-Gemme, Sainte-Radegonde, Sainte-Terre, Salaunes, Salleboeuf, Les Salles-de-Castillon, Samonac, Saucats, Saugon, Sauternes, La Sauve, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Sauviac, Savignac, Savignac-de-l’Isle, Semens, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulac-sur-Mer, Soulignac, Soussac, Tabanac, Taillecavat, Talais, Talence, Targon, Tarnès, Tauriac, Tayac, Teuillac, Tizac-de-Curton, Tizac-de-Lapouyade, Toulenne, Le Tourne, Tresses, Uzeste, Val-de-Livenne, Val de Virvée, Valeyrac, Vayres, Vendays-Montalivet, Vensac, Vérac, Verdelais, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Vignonet, Villandraut, Villegouge, Villenave-de-Rions, Villenave-d’Ornon, Villeneuve, Virelade, Virsac and Yvrac.

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-Médoc’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux-Médoc’ may be indicated on the label.

The size of the letters used must not be larger, either in height or in width, than two thirds of the size of the letters denoting the name of the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-7d0de082-8fed-40e1-8ea7-5603f5525abd

(1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.