C 22/40 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 21.1.2021 OTHER ACTS EUROPEAN COMMISSION 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 22/09) This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1). COMMUNICATION OF STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT ‘COTEAUX DU GIENNOIS’ PDO-FR-A0394-AM01 Date of communication: 5.11.2020 DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT 1. Reference to official geographic code A reference to the official geographic code has been added in relation to the geographical area and area in immediate proximity. This concerns a clarification of the wording which does not change the two areas in any way. Points 6 and 9 of the Single Document have been amended accordingly. 2. Pruning rules Introduction of short pruning (‘gobelet’ or fan pruning) for the Pinot Noir variety, with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant, and with each spur pruned to a maximum of two buds. For the Gamay N variety, when pruned short, the spurs are all pruned to a maximum of two count buds. The authorisation for short ‘gobelet’ pruning for the Pinot Noir variety, complementing other techniques which have already been authorised, will make it possible to control yields better, in particular for vigorous clones that were previously planted for this variety. The technical skill of the wine-growers can be demonstrated. This form of pruning should make it possible to improve the quality of the grapes and therefore the wines. It will enable a reduction in the production costs observed during the debudding and summer pruning operations required by Guyot pruning. Hence the pruning rules are now identical for the Pinot Noir and Gamay varieties, with short pruning (gobelet or fan pruning) applying to both varieties, with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant and each spur pruned to a maximum of two buds. These maximum limits make it possible to maintain the quality of red and rosé wines under this designation. Point 5 of the Single Document has been amended accordingly. (1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2. 21.1.2021 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 22/41 3. Grape ripeness The sugar content of the grapes and the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume have been increased. An increasing number of dry years coupled with an improvement in qualitative cultivation methods (debudding, thinning out, leaf stripping, green harvesting) has led to an increase in the grapes’ sugar content. Point 3 of the single document has been amended accordingly. 4. Specific oenological practices Increase in the total maximum alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment from 12,5 to 13 %. In view of the climatic and ripening conditions observed over several years, this increase is not intended to increase enrichment, which will remain reserved for special situations, wet and cold years and very dry years. This increase will also allow a more comfortable margin for compliance with technical requirements. Points 3 and 4 of the Single Document have been amended accordingly. 5. Irrigation The irrigation prohibition has been removed. The national rules in force prohibit irrigation between 1 May and harvest time. It will now be possible to irrigate vines between harvest time and 1 May depending in particular on the needs of young plantations. This has not led to any change in the Single Document. 6. Circulation between authorised warehouses Point IX(5)(b) of Chapter 1 concerning the date from which wines can be circulated between authorised warehouses has been deleted. This has not led to any change in the Single Document. 7. Transitional measures The expired transitional measures have been deleted from the product specification. This has not led to any change in the Single Document. 8. Main points for checking The main points for checking have been revised in order to simplify their evaluation methods. This has not led to any change in the Single Document. SINGLE DOCUMENT 1. Name of the product Coteaux du Giennois 2. Geographical indication type PDO – Protected Designation of Origin 3. Categories of grapevine product 1. Wine 4. Description of the wine(s) The wines are still white, red and rosé wines with the following principal analytical characteristics: — Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 10,5 %. C 22/42 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 21.1.2021 — Batches ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a fermentable sugar (glucose + fructose) content not exceeding 4 grams per litre for white and rosé wines and not exceeding 2,5 grams per litre for red wines. — After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %. — Red wines in batches ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a malic acid content not exceeding 0,3 grams per litre. The volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide content are those laid down by EU legislation. The white wines are dry with a mineral and fresh character. They are most often characterised by aromas of quince and white flowers. The rosé wines are elegant and subtle, often with slightly peppery notes on the palate and a fruity aftertaste with aromas reminiscent of ripe fruit and vineyard peach. The red wines are both delicate and fruity. They often have a blend of aromas of small red and black fruit and spicy notes. 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. Specific oenological practices Specific oenological practice The use of oenological charcoal to make the rosé wines is prohibited, whether alone or mixed in preparations. Any heat treatment of the grape harvest at a temperature above 40 °C is prohibited if followed by an immediate separation of liquids and solids. The use of wood chips is prohibited. Subtractive enrichment methods are permitted for the red wines with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume does not exceed 13 %. In addition to the above provision, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code. Growing method (a) The minimum vine planting density is 5 700 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of the vines must not exceed 1,4 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,80 metres and not exceed 1,25 metres. (b) The vines are pruned: Sauvignon B - Pinot Noir N: - by means of single Guyot pruning with a maximum of ten count buds per plant, of which no more than eight on the cane, and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds each; - or by means of short pruning (Royat cordon, or gobelet or fan pruning for the Pinot Noir N variety), with a maximum of 12 count buds per plant and a maximum of two buds on each spur. Gamay N variety: - by means of single Guyot pruning with a maximum of eight count buds per plant, of which no more than six on the cane, and one or two spurs with a maximum of two buds each; - or by means of short pruning (cordon de Royat, gobelet or fan pruning), with a maximum of ten count buds per plant and a maximum of two buds on each spur. 21.1.2021 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 22/43 The period for establishing the ‘Cordon de Royat’ is limited to four years. Single or double Guyot pruning is authorised during this period. There are a maximum of eight buds on the cane. The rejuvenation of a vineyard parcel pruned according to the ‘Cordon de Royat’ method may not exceed 20 % of the existing plants per year. - or by means of short pruning (gobelet or fan pruning), with a maximum of ten count buds per plant and a maximum of one or two buds on each spur. b. Maximum yields White wines 75 hectolitres per hectare Red and rosé wines 69 hectolitres per hectare 6. Demarcated geographical area The grapes are harvested and the wines are produced, developed and aged in the following municipalities (list based on the 2019 Official Geographic Code [Code officiel géographique]): - Department of Loiret: Beaulieu-sur-Loire, Bonny-sur- Loire, Briare, Gien, Ousson-sur-Loire, Thou. - Department of Nièvre: Alligny-Cosne, La Celle-sur-Loire, Cosne-Cours- sur-Loire, Myennes, Neuvy-sur-Loire, Pougny, Saint-Loup, Saint-Père. 7. Main wine grape variety(-ies) Gamay N Pinot Noir N Sauvignon B - Sauvignon Blanc 8. Description of the link(s) ‘Link with the geographical area’ Bordered to the east by the foothills of the Morvan and the Puisaye hills and to the west and south-west by the Sancerrois hills, the geographical area stretches from north to south for some 45 kilometres beginning in Gien on a narrow strip of south-west facing slopes along the Loire and ending in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, and on south and south- east facing slopes overlooking tributaries of the Loire to the east of Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire. The parcels specifically demarcated for grape production are concentrated on the slopes and shelf edges running alongside the Loire and its tributaries.