Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10611 – GENERALI FRANCE / LA MÉDICALE)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 147/01)

On 23 March 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10611. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations (1):

0,00 % on 1 April 2022

Euro exchange rates (2)

1 April 2022

(2022/C 147/02)

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,1052
JPY	Japanese yen	135,35
DKK	Danish krone	7,4388
GBP	Pound sterling	0,84145
SEK	Swedish krona	10,3320
CHF	Swiss franc	1,0217
ISK	Iceland króna	142,00
NOK	Norwegian krone	9,6628
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	24,376
HUF	Hungarian forint	368,12
PLN	Polish zloty	4,6401
RON	Romanian leu	4,9452
TRY	Turkish lira	16,2411
AUD	Australian dollar	1,4696
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,3805
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,6596
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,5911
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,4985
KRW	South Korean won	1 345,61
ZAR	South African rand	16,1685
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,0311
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,5675
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 887,50
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,6534
PHP	Philippine peso	57,084
RUB	Russian rouble
THB	Thai baht	36,941
BRL	Brazilian real	5,2188
MXN	Mexican peso	21,9087
INR	Indian rupee	83,9847

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(1)  Rate applied to the most recent operation carried out before the indicated day. In the case of a variable rate tender, the interest rate is the marginal rate.

(2)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

Modification of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)

(2022/C 147/03)

I.   Name of the EGTC, address and contact point (as it is currently in the EGTC register)

Official name: EGTC Linieland van Waas en Hulst

Registered office: Burgemeester Omer De Meyplein 1, 9170 Sint-Gillis-Waas

Person responsible (Director): Richard Meersschaert

E-mail address: info@egtslinieland.eu

Internet address of the Grouping: www.egtslinieland.eu

II.   New members

Official name: Maatschappij Linkerscheldeoever

Postal address: Sint-Paulusplein 27, 9120 Beveren

Internet address: www.mlso.be

Country: Belgium

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10690 – NORDIC CAPITAL / ELLOS GROUP)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 147/04)

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Publication of the single document referred to in Article 94(1)(d) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and of the reference to the publication of the product specification for a name in the wine sector

(2022/C 147/05)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within 2 months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

Vézelay

PDO-FR-02406

Date of submission of the application: 3 December 2021

1.   Name(s) to be registered

Vézelay

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

It is a still dry white wine, of pale golden-yellow colour. It has a noted floral character underpinned by great freshness and minerality in the mouth. It acquires complexity and finesse with age.

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

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume of the wines do not exceed 13 %.

The finished wines, ready to be released for consumption, have a maximum fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) of:

—	3 grams per litre;

—	or 4 grams per litre, if the total acidity exceeds 55,10 milliequivalents per litre, or 4,13 grams per litre, expressed as tartaric acid, (or 2,7 grams per litre, expressed as H2SO4).

The other analytical criteria comply with the values in European legislation.

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

Cultivation method

The minimum density of the vines in the vineyard is 6 400 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows is no more than 1,30 meters. Between plants in the same row, spacing is between 1 and 1,20 meters.

Pruning rules

Cultivation method

The vines are pruned to a maximum of 12 buds per plant and a maximum of 7,5 buds per square metre:

—	either spur pruning (vines trained to cordon du Royat and bilateral cordon);

—	or cane pruning using single Guyot.

Pruning to single Guyot can be adapted:

—	with a second spur making it possible to vary the position of the cane from one year to the next;

—	with a cane trimmed to a maximum of three buds and a spur limited to two buds.

Regardless of the pruning method, the vines can be pruned with extra buds on condition that, at the phenological stage corresponding to 11 or 12 leaves, the annual number of fruitful shoots per plant does not exceed the number of buds established by the pruning rules.

Winemaking

Wine-making restriction

—	Continuous presses are prohibited.

—	Use of wood chips is prohibited.

Ageing

Specific oenological practice

The wines must be matured until at least 1 March of the year following the year of harvest.

b.   Maximum yields

64 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes must be harvested and the wines made, developed and matured in the following municipalities: Asquins, Saint-Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay in the department of Yonne.

7.   Main grape variety (varieties)

Chardonnay B

8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The area of Vézelien is situated on the edge of the Morvan regional national park, in the south of the Yonne department in Burgundy. It is a clearly defined and independent geographical entity, located 40 kilometres from the vineyards of Auxerrois and some 100 kilometres from the start of the Côte d’Or vineyards. The vines are clustered on the slopes of the municipalities of Asquins, Saint Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay, scattered over both sides of the valley of the River Cure, a tributary of the Yonne.

The geomorphology of the vineyards of Vézelien has profoundly affected their geographical setting over the centuries. The definitive tectonic uplift of the Morvan crystalline massif during the Rhodanian (Pliocene) phase established the tectonic structure of this geographical setting. The Morvan massif then became the advanced spur of the Massif Central in the south-east part of the sedimentary deposits of the Paris Basin.

The basin of the River Cure has been formed into a long sedimentary series with alternating rocks of different resistance levels. It resembles an amphitheatre in which erosion has created a succession of mounds and uneven slopes with southern and eastern aspects predominating. Together these mounds and hills endow Vézelay with its own landscape in the heart of Burgundy.

The vineyards occupy the steep slopes of the Cure and its side valleys, between 250 and 300 metres in altitude. On the left bank, the substrate is composed of marl and limestone from the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic), while the slopes of the right bank consist of a series of mainly marly-clay from the Lias (Early Jurassic).

The higher vineyards are characterised by surface soils left shallow by erosion. They are often stony, with little fine soil, resting on a disturbed and altered limestone bedrock.

By contrast, on the mid-slopes and towards the foot of the slopes the soils become progressively denser. They comprise a layer of limestone colluvium, varying in density and stone content, covering deep limestone and clay soil horizons formed by the alteration of the various underlying rocks: hard limestone, marly-limestone and marl.

Vézelien has a cool maritime climate characterised by frequent and abundant precipitations. With its annual rainfall of 800 mm, Vézelien differs markedly from other small wine-growing regions of Burgundy. Given the proximity of Morvan, springs are wet, summers are hot and stormy and winters are fairly harsh with very real risks of frost.

The temperature ranges are broad, both annually and daily, giving the climate of Vézelien a touch of continentality. Indeed, in winter, the temperatures frequently fall to around -10 °C. In summer, temperatures of 30 °C are not unusual. The average variation between the minimum and maximum daily temperatures is greater in Vézelien than in Auxerrois. It is however close, or even equal, to that of Côte d’Or. These variations may be as much as -4 °C for the minimum and +8 °C for the maximum temperatures.

8.2.   Description of the human factors relevant to the link

The vineyards have a reputation for quality, as shown by a document dating from 1137 concerning payment of a land tax for the vines, as well as a document relating to certain parcels named as Clos-au-Duc in the village of Nanchêvres, part of the municipality of Saint Père, property of the Duke of Burgundy. In 1816, in his work Topographie de tous les vignobles connus (Topography of all known vineyards), the writer Jullien did not omit to mention the wine of Vézelay and, in particular, the parcels of the Clos de Vézelay, described as belonging to the third class of fine wines.

Sales of Vézelay wine would develop until the end of the 19th century thanks to the river network enabling it to be transported to Paris. The arrival of phylloxera in Auxerrois in 1884 put an end to the developing trade and reduced vineyard areas to practically nothing.

A huge rural exodus meant that there was a lack of human resources. As a result, the restoration of the vineyards would not begin until 1970s, spurred on by a small group of growers and thanks to the support of local official Paul Flandin. In 1974, a syndicate was created for the restoration of the vineyards of Vézelay.

The first vines were planted to test grape varieties, planting density and training methods. The new vineyards very soon became focused on producing quality white wines made from the Chardonnay B, from densely planted and low yielding vines.

The vineyards soon acquired their own identity in an agricultural landscape of woodland and pasture.

In 1990, a cooperative was created for the purpose of making and selling the wines. This helped the development of wine-growing significantly. Half of the local wine-growing sector is now made up of cooperative members: local operators practising mixed crop and livestock farming and small-scale viticulture. The other half comprises an assortment of wine-growers, working on areas of around 10 hectares. These wine-growers have settled in Vézelay in order to develop the bottle trade, relying on this recent designation and the significant scale of tourism in the area.

In 1989, the four municipalities of Asquins, Saint-Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay belonged to the geographical area of the designation ‘Bourgogne’. The subsequent parcel demarcation of ‘Bourgogne’ in 1992 and eventually, in 1998, the recognition of the additional geographical designation ‘Vézelay’ as part of the ‘Bourgogne’ designation, demonstrate a constant pursuit of quality on the part of the wine-growers of Vézelay.

8.3.   Causal interactions

Separated from both Auxerrois to the north and Côte d’Or to the south, Vézelien is geographically independent. This, and its exceptional geology, make it a unique wine-growing region. Despite being almost destroyed by the phylloxera crisis, the Vézelay vineyards enjoy a long history dating back to Roman times. This continuity demonstrates the special suitability of the site, on the banks of the River Cure as it flows through Morvan, for producing quality wines.

The vines demarcated for the designation ‘Vézelay’ grow on the slopes of limestone and marly-limestone of Vézelien. With aspects ranging from south and east to south-west, these slopes are sheltered from cold northern winds. These conditions are favourable for growing Chardonnay B, a traditional grape variety of Burgundy.

The local climate is influenced by the proximity of the Morvan massif, formed of high wooded hills. The climate maintains the acidity of the grapes and gives these white wines more freshness, distinguishing them from other white wines of Burgundy. Surrounding landscape features, such as the hills and proximity to the Morvan forests, also contribute to this freshness in the mouth.

These characteristics resulting from the cooler local climate distinguish the wines of Vézelay from other white wines of Burgundy, developing in particular white flower aromas such as acacia and hawthorn.

In the vineyards, the traditional cultivation techniques of Burgundy are respected: high planting density, spur pruning and trellising. The wine-making methods and relatively short maturation periods result in the particular characteristics of the wines with the ‘Vézelay’ PDO. These include the main organoleptic characteristics of minerality and floral aromas.

The vines have gradually resumed their place in the landscapes of Vézelien, occupying the most favourable locations. The prestigious site of Vézelay Abbey also presents a very Burgundian view, studded with both vines and pastures.

9.   Essential further conditions

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 the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of Côte-d’Or: Agencourt, Aloxe-Corton, Ancey, Arcenant, Argilly, Autricourt, Auxey-Duresses, Baubigny, Beaune, Belan-sur-Ource, Bévy, Bissey-la-Côte, Bligny-lès-Beaune, Boncourt-le-Bois, Bouix, Bouze-lès-Beaune, Brion-sur-Ource, Brochon, Cérilly, Chamboeuf, Chambolle-Musigny Channay, Charrey-sur-Seine, Chassagne-Montrachet, Châtillon-sur-Seine, Chaumont-le-Bois, Chaux, Chenôve, Chevannes, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Clémencey, Collonges-lès-Bévy, Combertault, Comblanchien, Corcelles-les-Arts, Corcelles-les-Monts, Corgoloin, Cormot-Vauchignon, Corpeau, Couchey, Curley, Curtil-Vergy, Daix, Dijon, Ebaty, Echevronne, Epernay-sous-Gevrey, L’Etang-Vergy, Etrochey, Fixin, Flagey-Echézeaux, Flavignerot, Fleurey-sur-Ouche, Fussey, Gerland, Gevrey-Chambertin, Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, Gomméville, Grancey-sur-Ource, Griselles, Ladoix-Serrigny, Lantenay, Larrey, Levernois, Magny-lès-Villers, Mâlain, Marcenay, Marey-lès-Fussey, Marsannay-la-Côte, Massingy, Mavilly-Mandelot, Meloisey, Merceuil, Messanges, Meuilley, Meursanges, Meursault, Molesme, Montagny-lès-Beaune, Monthelie, Montliot-et-Courcelles, Morey-Saint-Denis, Mosson, Nantoux, Nicey, Noiron-sur-Seine, Nolay, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Obtrée, Pernand-Vergelesses, Perrigny-lès-Dijon, Plombières-lès-Dijon, Poinçon-lès-Larrey, Pommard, Pothières, Premeaux-Prissey, Prusly-sur-Ource, Puligny-Montrachet, Quincey, Reulle-Vergy, La Rochepot, Ruffey-lès-Beaune, Saint-Aubin, Saint-Bernard, Saint-Philibert, Saint-Romain, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Seine, Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche, Santenay, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Segrois, Tailly, Talant, Thoires, Vannaire, Velars-sur-Ouche, Vertault, Vignoles, Villars-Fontaine, Villebichot, Villedieu, Villers-la-Faye, Villers-Patras, Villy-le-Moutier, Vix, Volnay, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot.

The area in the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of Rhône:

Alix, Anse, L’Arbresle, Les Ardillats, Arnas, Bagnols, Beaujeu, Belleville, Belmont-d’Azergues, Blacé, Le Bois-d’Oingt, Le Breuil, Bully, Cercié, Chambost-Allières, Chamelet, Charentay, Charnay, Châtillon, Chazay-d’Azergues, Chénas, Chessy, Chiroubles, Cogny, Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, Dareizé, Denicé, Dracé, Emeringes, Fleurie, Frontenas, Gleizé, Jarnioux, Juliénas, Jullié, Lacenas, Lachassagne, Lancié, Lantignié, Légny, Létra, Liergues, Limas, Lozanne, Lucenay, Marchampt, Moiré, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Morancé, Odenas, Oingt, Les Olmes, Le Perréon, Pommiers, Pouilly-le-Monial, Quincié-en-Beaujolais, Régnié-Durette, Rivolet, Saint-Clément-sur-Valsonne, Saint-Cyr-le-Chatoux, Saint-Didier-sur-Beaujeu, Saint-Etienne-des-Oullières, Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Saint-Jean-d’Ardières, Saint-Jean-des-Vignes, Saint-Julien, Saint-Just-d’Avray, Saint-Lager, Saint-Laurent-d’Oingt, Saint-Loup, Sainte-Paule, Saint-Romain-de-Popey, Saint-Vérand, Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais, Sarcey, Taponas, Ternand, Theizé, Vaux-en-Beaujolais, Vauxrenard, Vernay, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Ville-sur-Jarnioux and Villié-Morgon.

The area in the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of Sâone-et-Loire:

Aluze, Ameugny, Azé, Barizey, Beaumont-sur-Grosne, Berzé-la-Ville, Berzé-le-Châtel, Bissey-sous-Cruchaud, Bissy-la-Mâconnaise, Bissy-sous-Uxelles, Bissy-sur-Fley, Blanot, Bonnay, Bouzeron, Boyer, Bray, Bresse-sur-Grosne, Burgy, Burnand, Bussières, Buxy, Cersot, Chagny, Chaintré, Chalon-sur-Saône, Chamilly, Champagny-sous-Uxelles, Champforgeuil, Chânes, Change, Chapaize, La Chapelle-de-Bragny, La Chapelle-de-Guinchay, La Chapelle-sous-Brancion, Charbonnières, Chardonnay, La Charmée, Charnay-lès-Mâcon, Charrecey, Chasselas, Chassey-le-Camp, Château, Châtenoy-le-Royal, Chaudenay, Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Chenôves, Chevagny-lès-Chevrières, Chissey-lès-Mâcon, Clessé, Cluny, Cormatin, Cortambert, Cortevaix, Couches, Crêches-sur-Saône, Créot, Cruzille, Culles-les-Roches, Curtil-sous-Burnand, Davayé, Demigny, Dennevy, Dezize-lès-Maranges, Donzy-le-National, Donzy-le-Pertuis, Dracy-le-Fort, Dracy-lès-Couches, Epertully, Etrigny, Farges-lès-Chalon, Farges-lès-Mâcon, Flagy, Fleurville, Fley, Fontaines, Fragnes-la-Loyère, Fuissé, Genouilly, Germagny, Givry, Granges, Grevilly, Hurigny, Igé, Jalogny, Jambles, Jugy, Jully-lès-Buxy, Lacrost, Laives, Laizé, Lalheue, Leynes, Lournand, Lugny, Mâcon, Malay, Mancey, Martailly-lès-Brancion, Massilly, Massy, Mellecey, Mercurey, Messey-sur-Grosne, Milly-Lamartine, Montagny-lès-Buxy, Montbellet, Montceaux-Ragny, Moroges, Nanton, Ozenay, Paris-l’Hôpital, Péronne, Pierreclos, Plottes, Préty, Prissé, Pruzilly, Remigny, La Roche-Vineuse, Romanèche-Thorins, Rosey, Royer, Rully, Saint-Albain, Saint-Ambreuil, Saint-Amour-Bellevue, Saint-Boil, Saint-Clément-sur-Guye, Saint-Denis-de-Vaux, Saint-Désert, Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, Saint-Gengoux-le-National, Saint-Germain-lès-Buxy, Saint-Gervais-sur-Couches, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Jean-de-Trézy, Saint-Jean-de-Vaux, Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune, Saint-Mard-de-Vaux, Saint-Martin-Belle-Roche, Saint-Martin-du-Tartre, Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu, Saint-Maurice-de-Satonnay, Saint-Maurice-des-Champs, Saint-Maurice-lès-Couches, Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes, Saint-Rémy, Saint-Sernin-du-Plain, Saint-Symphorien-d’Ancelles, Saint-Vallerin, Saint-Vérand, Saint-Ythaire, Saisy, La Salle, Salornay-sur-Guye, Sampigny-lès-Maranges, Sancé, Santilly, Sassangy, Saules, Savigny-sur-Grosne, Sennecey-le-Grand, Senozan, Sercy, Serrières, Sigy-le-Châtel, Sologny, Solutré-Pouilly, Taizé, Tournus, Uchizy, Varennes-lès-Mâcon, Vaux-en-Pré, Vergisson, Vers, Verzé, Le Villars, La Vineuse, Vinzelles and Viré.

The area in the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities of Yonne:

Accolay, Aigremont, Annay-sur-Serin, Arcy-sur-Cure, Augy, Auxerre, Avallon, Bazarnes, Beine, Bernouil, Béru, Bessy-sur-Cure, Bleigny-le-Carreau, Censy, Chablis, Champlay, Champs-sur-Yonne, Champvallon, Chamvres, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Charentenay, Châtel-Gérard, Chemilly-sur-Serein, Cheney, Chevannes, Chichée, Chitry, Collan, Coulangeron, Coulanges-la-Vineuse, Courgis, Cravant, Cruzy-le-Châtel, Dannemoine, Dyé, Epineuil, Escamps, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Fleys, Fontenay-près-Chablis, Gy-l’Evêque, Héry, Irancy, Island, Joigny, Jouancy, Junay, Jussy, Lichères-près-Aigremont, Lignorelles, Ligny-le-Châtel, Lucy-sur-Cure, Maligny, Mélisey, Merry-Sec, Migé, Molay, Molosmes, Montigny-la-Resle, Mouffy, Moulins-en-Tonnerois, Nitry, Noyers, Ouanne, Paroy-sur-Tholon, Pasilly, Pierre-Perthuis, Poilly-sur-Serein, Pontigny, Préhy, Quenne, Roffey, Rouvray, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, Saint-Cyr-les-Colons, Sainte-Pallaye, Sainte-Vertu, Sarry, Senan, Serrigny, Tissey, Tonnerre, Tronchoy, Val-de-Mercy, Vallan, Venouse, Venoy, Vermenton, Vézannes, Vézinnes, Villeneuve-Saint-Salves, Villiers-sur-Tholon, Villy, Vincelles, Vincelottes, Viviers, Volgré and Yrouerre.

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 on their labels the name of a smaller geographical unit, provided that:

—	it is the name of a place in the land register;

—	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 registered designation of origin.

Broader 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 on their labels the broader geographical unit ‘Vin de Bourgogne’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bourgogne’.

Mention of grape variety

Legal framework

National legislation

Type of further condition

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition

When the grape variety is specified on the label, this does not appear in the same visual field as the mandatory indications and is printed in letters no larger than 2 mm.

Reference to publication of the specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-e788615d-fc6a-4b06-97a9-2171414b470c

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(1)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.