Official Journal
of the European Union
EN
C series
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Official Journal |
EN C series |
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C/2026/2067 |
31.3.2026 |
Publication of the communication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a geographical indication in accordance with Article 5(4) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 (1)
(C/2026/2067)
COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT
(Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143)
‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’
EU Reference number: PDO-FR-A0585-AM03 – 8.1.2026
1. Product name
‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’
2. Geographical indication type
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PDO |
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PGI |
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GI |
3. Sector
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Agricultural products |
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Wine |
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Spirit drinks |
4. Country to which the geographical area belongs
France
5. National authority communicating the standard amendment
Organisation
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Directorate-General for the Economic and Environmental Performance of Enterprises
6. Qualification as standard amendment
The French authorities consider that the application meets the requirements of Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013 and (EU) 2024/1143.
The amendments to this product specification are standard amendments as defined in Article 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
The application for amendment to the ‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’ PDO does not involve any of the three situations constituting a Union amendment; specifically, it does not:
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(a) |
include a change in the name or in the use of the name, or in the category of product or products designated by the geographical indication; |
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(b) |
risk voiding the link to the geographical area; |
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(c) |
entail further restrictions on the marketing of the product. |
The French authorities therefore consider that the application is for a ‘standard’ amendment.
7. Description of the approved standard amendment(s)
Title
Start of harvest
Description
The producer group for the PDO wishes to abolish the harvest proclamation in order to simplify administrative management while maintaining a check on the ripeness of the grapes.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
Title
Addition of a target value to the weeding ban measure
Description
The producer group for the designation has requested that a target value be added to the measure on parcel maintenance.
The goal of this target value is to enable objective monitoring and rigorous parcel maintenance with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the designation.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
Title
Transitional measure
Description
The parcels covered by the transitional measure were planted before 1995 with a spacing of 0,90 m within the same row, but the specification amended at the time set a minimum 1 m spacing requirement.
In view of the efforts made by producers to comply and given the qualitative characteristics of the affected plots, it is being extended until 2045.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
Title
Labelling
Description
The producer group for the PDO has decided to use a larger geographical unit to designate the wines, opting for the term ‘Vin de Loire’ instead of ‘Val de Loire’.
This development follows the communication guidelines adopted by the producers of Loire wines.
The aim is to make the identity clearer and align it more closely with the reality of the wines made by producers in the Loire basin.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
Title
Update of the Geographic Code
Description
The municipalities in the geographical area have been updated in accordance with the 2025 Official Geographic Code. This amendment does not change the geographical area of the designation.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
Title
References
Description
The contact details of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) have been updated.
The arrangements for checking compliance with the product specification have been amended.
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The amendment affects the single document. |
SINGLE DOCUMENT
Designations of origin and geographical indications of the wines
‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’
EU Reference number: PDO-FR-A0585-AM03 – 8.1.2026
1. Name(s)
‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’
2. Geographical indication type
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PDO |
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PGI |
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GI |
3. Country to which the defined geographical area belongs
France
4. Classification of the agricultural product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143
2204 - wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009
5. Categories of grapevine products as listed in Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013
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1. |
Wine |
6. Description of the wine or wines
Grapevine product
Still red wines
Organoleptic characteristics
The still red wines range in colour from ruby to garnet of varying intensity.
The still red wines are elegant and smooth with an aromatic expression that combines notes of red and black fruit.
Some richer wines benefit from being aged for a number of years, in which they take on more complex notes.
Additional information regarding organoleptic characteristics
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Analytical characteristics
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Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): |
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Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): |
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Minimum total acidity: |
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Minimum total acidity unit: |
in milliequivalents per litre |
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Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): |
- |
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Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre): |
- |
Additional information regarding analytical characteristics
The still red wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %.
After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %.
Malolactic fermentation is mandatory and the malic acid content must not exceed 0,3 grams per litre.
After packaging, the fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content must not exceed 2 grams per litre.
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Any analytical characteristics not indicated in this section are within the limits laid down in the applicable EU legislation. |
Grapevine product
Still rosé wines
Organoleptic characteristics
The still rosé wines are moderately intense and clear in colour.
The still rosé wines usually have fresh and fairly intense aromas of red and white fruit, occasionally highlighted with citrus notes.
The still wines are fresh and quite intense, sometimes with notes of citrus fruits.
Additional information regarding organoleptic characteristics
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Analytical characteristics
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Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): |
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Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): |
- |
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Minimum total acidity: |
3,5 |
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Minimum total acidity unit: |
in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
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Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): |
- |
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Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre): |
- |
Additional information regarding analytical characteristics
Still rosé wines must have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 10,5 %.
After enrichment, their total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 13 %.
After packaging, the fermentable sugar (glucose and fructose) content must not exceed 4 grams per litre.
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Any analytical characteristics not indicated in this section are within the limits laid down in the applicable EU legislation. |
7. Winemaking practices
7.1. Specific oenological practices used to make the wine or wines, relevant restrictions on making them
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Winemaking restriction
The use of oenological charcoal when making the rosé wines is forbidden, whether alone or mixed in a preparation.
Enrichment
Specific oenological practice
Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted for red wines, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength must not exceed 13 %.
Planting density
Cultivation method
The minimum planting density of the vines is 4 500 plants per hectare, with a maximum distance of 2,10 metres between rows. The spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.
Pruning rules
Cultivation method
The vines are pruned before 1 May using the following techniques: - single Guyot pruning, with a maximum of 11 buds per plant, of which a maximum of 7 must be on the cane and one or two spurs pruned to a maximum of two buds; - double Guyot pruning, with two canes with a maximum of four buds each and one or two spurs pruned to [a minimum of] one or two buds and a maximum of 12 buds per plant; - spur pruning (cordon de Royat method), with a maximum of two buds per spur and a maximum of 12 buds per plant.
7.2. Maximum yields
Still red wines and still rosé wines
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Maximum yield: |
67 |
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Maximum yield unit: |
hectolitres per hectare |
8. Indication of the wine grape variety or varieties from which the wine or wines are produced
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Cabernet Franc N |
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Cabernet Sauvignon N |
9. Concise definition of the demarcated geographical area
1 - Geographical area
The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced, developed and aged in the municipality of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the department of Indre-et-Loire (list established on the basis of the 2025 Official Geographic Code):
2- Demarcated parcel area
The wines must be made from grapes grown on parcels located in the production area as approved by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité - INAO) at the meetings of the relevant national committee on 7 and 8 November 1995.
INAO submits the maps establishing the boundaries of the parcels of the production area thus approved to the town hall of the municipality mentioned in paragraph 1.
10. Link with the geographical area
Category of the grapevine product
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1. |
Wine |
Summary of the link
The Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil winegrowing area is located on an ancient terrace of the Loire and along the foothill of the slope to which it is attached. It faces south and opens onto the Loire Valley, a few kilometres upstream from where the Vienne meets the River Loire. In the demarcated parcel area where the grapes are harvested, the majority of the soils are embedded on the terrace formed by ancient alluvial deposits. There are also more recent deposits in the main riverbed. All of these highly permeable soils are sandy-gravelly with varying levels of stoniness and limited water reserves. At the foot of the slope, there are some clay-limestone soils of Turonian tuffeau chalk and silicate-clay soils that developed from Senonian clay-sandy formations. Located at low altitude on the westernmost tip of Touraine, the geographical area benefits from an oceanic climate with marked maritime influences. In springtime, the mild temperatures enable early plant growth. This process is boosted by the protection from the northerly winds provided by the wooded plateau above the slope where the vines are grown. The Bourgueil wine-producing area traces its origins back to the founding of Bourgueil Abbey in the year 990 AD. In 1189, Abbé Baudry sang the praises of his monastery and the wine produced within its grounds. Over the centuries, the vineyards expanded beyond the boundaries of the enclosure and spread throughout the region, along the slopes and ancient terraces of the Loire. Locally known as ‘breton’, the main grape variety for this PDO, Cabernet Franc N, originated in the Bordeaux area. Brought to the area by inland waterways, it probably became more established in the region after the political union of Anjou and Aquitaine (11th and 12th centuries). ‘Saint-Nicolas’ therefore refers to light wines produced by several different parcels in the municipality with soils that developed on the sandy alluvial deposits that are predominant in this PDO area. Benefiting from their riverside location along the Loire, the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil vineyards have long been an exporter of fine wines, in particular to Flanders from the 17th century onwards. This circumstance continued until the Phylloxera crisis. The vineyards resisted well against the blight given their location on the ancient alluvial terraces. The parts that were destroyed were rapidly replanted with Cabernet Franc N, which testifies to the winegrowers’ commitment to this variety from the Middle Ages onwards. Production volumes have been rising since 1937, when the controlled appellation of origin ‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’ was recognised. Red wines account for most of the production, with over 95 % of the volume. The Loire, which flanks the base of the wine-producing area, is closely linked to the origin and history of the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil winegrowing area. The large slope was eroded by the river, laying bare the rocks on which the soils then formed. It also left alluvial deposits, which make up the rest of the winegrowing land in the area. It was via the trade and exchange route of the Loire that the Cabernet varieties, originally from Bordeaux, first arrived in this region, which went on to become one of the areas where they thrived. In line with local customs, the demarcated parcel area for the grape harvest only includes winegrowing soils on alluvial materials, which are very distinctive at regional level, or the shallow soils that developed on the Turonian chalk of the slope. As the vineyards are quite exposed to the Loire, the maritime influences can extend inland. The climate is significantly milder and drier than in the Loire vineyards located further east. These conditions, and the fact that the sandy-gravelly soils warm up well, have the effect of bringing the growing cycle forward. These factors, combined with the strict production rules, are conducive to Cabernet Franc N achieving an elegant expression. The know-how the winemakers have acquired over several generations and their loyalty towards the Cabernet Franc N grape variety for more than eight centuries are reflected in the choice of blends of grape varieties from different locations. This know-how adapted to the specific conditions of the local area, which is used first and foremost for the production of elegant, supple red wines, has naturally also been applied to rosés. The renown and reputation of ‘Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’ wines, lauded by Abbé Baudry as far back as the 12th century, continue to grow thanks to the dynamism of its winegrowers.
11. Further applicable requirements
Title of the requirement/derogation
Area in immediate proximity
Legal framework
National legislation
Type of further requirement/derogation
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the requirement/derogation
The area in immediate proximity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographic Code for 2025:
Department of Indre-et-Loire: Avoine, Beaumont-en-Véron, Benais, Bourgueil, La Chapelle-sur-Loire, Chouzé-sur-Loire, Coteaux-sur-Loire (only the territory of the delegated municipalities of Saint-Patrice and Ingrandes-de-Touraine), Restigné, and Savigny-en-Véron).
Department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Brain-sur-Allonnes.
In accordance with Article 5(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, the area in immediate proximity corresponds to an area in the immediate proximity of the demarcated area in question.
Title of the requirement/derogation
Labelling
Legal framework
National legislation
Type of further requirement/derogation
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the requirement/derogation
Under EU rules, the size of the letters of optional terms may be regulated by the Member States. They 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. - The size of the letters of the geographical name ‘Vin 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 designation. - Wines with the protected designation of origin may specify on their labels the name of a smaller geographical unit, provided that it is a registered location and appears on the harvest declaration.
Electronic (URL) reference to publication of the product specification
https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-47d86866-3725-4fea-b087-8132296a76f9
(1) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/27 of 30 October 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules concerning the registration and the protection of geographical indications, traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms and repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (OJ L, 2025/27, 15.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/27/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/2067/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)