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The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) has been busy lately, and three new appellations for French Wine have been approved. They are: Bourgogne-Côte d’Or AOC (Burgundy), Corrèze AOC (Southwest France/Nouvelle-Aquitaine), and Vézelay AOC (Burgundy/Yonne). All three of these new AOCs are awaiting final approval from the European Union.
Corrèze AOC: The newly-announced Corrèze AOC is located in the Corrèze Department, situated in Southwest France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), somewhat inland (east) of Bordeaux. A portion of the Corrèze AOC was previously recognized as the Vins de la Corrèze IGP. The Corrèze AOC is approved for red wines based on Cabernet Franc with the possible addition of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Other approved wines include a sweet, dried-grape “straw wine” produced from the allowed varieties of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and/or Sauvignon Blanc. Wines approved for production under the subzone “Corrèze-Coteaux de la Vézère” include dry reds produced from 100% Cabernet Franc and dry whites produced from 100% Chenin Blanc. There are currently 185 acres (75 ha) divided among 45 growers planted to vines in the Corrèze AOC.
Vézelay AOC: The newly-recognized Vézelay AOC is located in the southern portion of the Yonne department in Burgundy, and includes the hillsides along both sides of the Cure River (a right tributary of the Yonne River). Four communes— Asquins, Saint Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay—are included in the region. Vézelay was previously an approved subzone of the Burgundy (Bourgogne) AOC. The Vézelay AOC is approved for dry white wines only, produced from 100% Chardonnay. There are currently 225 acres (90 ha), divided among 25 growers, planted to vines in the AOC.
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Bourgogne-Côte d’Or AOC: The Bourgogne-Côte d’Or AOC, finally approved by the INAO after more than twenty years of squabbling, represents a new sub-appellation of the Bourgogne AOC. The newly-designated area covers about 2,470 acres (1,000 ha) of area and basically combines the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune areas of production. The Bourgogne-Côte d’Or AOC is approved for dry red wines produced from 100% Pinot Noir and dry white wines produced from 100% Chardonnay.
In other news, the EU has approved an AOC for Ail violet de Cadours (Purple Garlic of Cadours), as well as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for Charolais de Bourgogne (beef from the grass-fed Charolais cattle of Burgundy).
References/for more information:
- http://www.inao.gouv.fr/Nos-actualites/Reconnaissance-des-vins-d-AOC-Correze
- http://www.inao.gouv.fr/Nos-actualites/Reconnaissance-de-l-AOC-Vezelay
- http://www.inao.gouv.fr/Nos-actualites/L-ail-violet-de-Cadours-obtient-l-AOP
- http://www.inao.gouv.fr/Nos-actualites/Le-Charolais-de-Bourgogne-obtient-l-IGP
- http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/22220/Years_of_debate_ends_with_new_Bourgogne_C_F4te_D_92Or_approval.html
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles, CSE, CWE – your blog administrator
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