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

‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’

PDO-FR-A0992-AM05

Date of communication: 9 December 2024

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Official Geographic Code

A reference to the 2022 Official Geographic Code has been added in relation to the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity.

This is a purely editorial change and does not alter the geographical area.

Points 6 ‘Demarcated geographical area’ and 9 ‘Other essential conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)’ of the single document have been amended in line with the product specification.

2.   Vineyard management

An obligation has been added for farms to have organic farming certification or at least level 2 environmental certification under the applicable national rules.

The single document has not been amended.

3.   Agri-environmental provisions

A number of environmental provisions have been added:

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

—	Full chemical weed control on parcels is prohibited.

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

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.

4.   Harvest

The provision on sorting the harvest has been deleted for reasons linked to the practicability of checking.

The single document has not been amended.

5.   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.

No amendments to the single document are required.

6.   Transitional measures

Transitional measures no longer in force have been deleted.

The single document has not been amended.

7.   Record-keeping

Keeping a tasting record is no longer required.

The single document has not been amended.

8.   Table of main points to be checked

The point on checking the ripeness of the grapes has been amended, meaning only the records need to be verified.

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.

No amendments to the single document are required.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

2.   Type of geographical indication

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

3.1.   Combined Nomenclature code

—	22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR 2204 – Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009

4.   Description of the wine(s)

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

These are strong and round red wines, mainly from Merlot N grapes, with a deep colour and intense aromas of red fruit that become more complex with ageing. Ageing in barrels, which is often practised, sometimes brings out vanilla and roasted notes that enrich the wines’ aromatic palette and structure. The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %; a total alcoholic strength by volume after enrichment of 13,5 %; a malic acid content not exceeding 0,30 g/l; and a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 3 g/l.

The analytical characteristics comply with the limits laid down in current EU legislation.

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) 13,26

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 140

5.   Winemaking practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Enrichment

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 %.

2.   Training of the vines

Cultivation method

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

The spacing between the vine rows must not exceed 2 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,50 metres.

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

The vines are pruned using the following techniques aimed at spreading growth on a single trellising plan with sufficient aeration, while also limiting the number of bunches:

—	single or double Guyot;

—	spur pruning (Cordon de Royat or fan pruning);

—	cane pruning.

Each plant has a maximum of 12 buds.

Under no circumstances may the canes overlap.

Irrigation

Irrigation during the vine growing season is only permitted in cases of persistent drought and if drought is disrupting the sound physiological development of the vines and the ripening of the grapes.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.	Red wine 65 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and aged in the part of the municipality of Puisseguin (based on the Official Geographic Code of 1 January 2022), department of Gironde, corresponding to its territory before it was merged with the municipality of Monbadon on 1 January 1989 (by prefectural order of 10 November 1988).

7.   Wine grape varieties

Cabernet Franc N

Cabernet Sauvignon N

Cot N – Malbec

Merlot N

8.   Description of the links

The geographical area of ‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ AOC is located within the municipality of Puisseguin, limited to the part that made up its territory before it was merged with Monbadon in 1989. It is situated in the north-east of the department of Gironde, 48 kilometres north-east of Bordeaux and 10 kilometres north-east of Saint-Emilion, in the Libourne winegrowing region.

‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ winegrowing parcels, at the confluence of the Isle and the Dordogne, have predominantly limestone and clay-limestone soils.

Bordering the Atlantic, the Gironde region has a temperate maritime climate with moderate temperature variations, which makes it suitable for winegrowing. In the geographical area, located in the north-east of Gironde, temperatures in summer and autumn are higher due to continental influences, which favours the ripening of the grapes. The maritime climate is unpredictable with periods of rain and low pressure in autumn or, conversely, hot and very sunny late seasons, depending on the year. This creates a notable ‘vintage effect’.

This land is ideal for the Merlot N grape variety. It particularly appreciates the cool, damp clay soils, where it ripens well.

The other varieties are grown on slightly warmer, sandy-gravelly or sandy-clayey soils, or on well-exposed clay-limestone soils.

The area’s maritime climate, tending towards continental (hot summers, long and mild autumns, mild and generally dry winters), favours a slow ripening of the grapes.

The demarcated parcel area comprises parcels with good drainage, either due to the texture of the soils or due to their position on a hilltop or slope. Parcels with mainly hydromorphic soils, or limestone and silt soils that are impermeable at a shallow depth, are excluded from the winegrowing area. The same applies to parcels on the valley floor with soils showing signs of hydromorphy that are exposed to the risk of spring frost.

The precisely defined parcels ensure optimum development of the local vine varieties which have been selected over time for their keeping and ageing qualities, allowing the wines to be transported over long distances.

To ensure a sufficient harvest the planting density is high, but without overloading the vines on soils known for their production potential. This ensures optimum ripeness and just the right concentration of berries. Generalised trellising, combined with strict pruning and a ban on overlapping canes, ensure a well-distributed grape harvest and a sufficient canopy for photosynthesis, helping the grapes to ripen.

To ensure a healthy harvest, any underripe, damaged or diseased fruit must be eliminated through sorting.

The wines are aged at least until the spring of the year following the harvest. This is necessary to stabilise, refine and enhance the qualities of the wine before it is placed on the market and sold to the consumer.

Wines with the ‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ designation are strong and round red wines, mainly from Merlot N grapes, with a deep colour and intense aromas of red fruit that become more complex with ageing.

In blends, the Cabernet Franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties add freshness and structure, enhancing the wines’ ageing potential and aromatic complexity.

Ageing in barrels, which is common, sometimes brings out vanilla and roasted notes that enrich the wines’ aromatic palette and structure.

9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Larger geographical unit

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

‘Puisseguin Saint-Emilion’ AOC wines may specify on their labels the larger geographical unit ‘Vin de Bordeaux’ or ‘Grand Vin de Bordeaux’. The size of the letters for the larger geographical unit must not be greater, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.

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 making, developing and maturing the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities in the department of Gironde, on the basis of the Official Geographic Code of 1 January 2022: Abzac, Les Artigues-de-Lussac, Castillon-la-Bataille, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lussac, Montagne, Néac, Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, Pomerol, Saint-Cibard, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, Saint-Médard-de-Guizières, Saint-Pey-d’Armens, Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Tayac and Vignonet, and part of the territory of the municipalities of Puisseguin (limited to the area making up its territory before it was merged with the municipality of Monbadon on 1 January 1989) and Libourne (limited to the area south of the Capelle stream and its extension up to byway 28, as far as the Dordogne and the Bordeaux-Bergerac railway).

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-efa8534a-caf8-468e-b0e9-0fd61c7c119c

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(1)   OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.