AOC Sauternes machine translated reference / legal text
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Art 1st. -
(Modified, D. Sept. 14, 1953, art 2) - Only are entitled to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes” the white wines which, answering the conditions hereafter enumerated, were collected on the territory of the communes of Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac, other than the pieces located on modern alluvia and of those which are intended for other cultures that those of the white vine, in particular with the forest culture, because of the local practice. The limits of the surface of production thus defined will be deferred on the cadrastal map of the common interested parties by the experts appointed by the management Committee of the national Institute of the labels of origin and the plan established by their care will be deposited in the town halls of the common interested parties before January 1, 1954.
Art 2. -
The wines being entitled to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes” will have obligatorily to come from following type of vines, other than all others: sémillon, sauvignon, muscadelle. (Supplemented, D. Dec 26, 1960, art 2) - From harvest 1961, any wine producer of the appellation contrôlée defined by this decree having in his exploitation of the pieces located in the delimited surface and containing white hybrids will not be able to assert the right to this name.
Art 3. -
(Modified, D. n° 47.1115, June 23, 1947, art 7) - the white wines being entitled to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes” will have to come from musts at least containing 221 grams of natural sugar per liter and to present, after fermentation, a minimum alcoholic strength of total alcohol 13° (acquired and in power) with a minimum of actual alcoholic strength 12°5.
Art 4. -
(Replaced, D. May 19, 1982) - the basic output aimed to the article 1st of the decree [referred to above] n° 74.872 of October 19, 1974 is fixed at 25 hectolitres per hectare of vines in production. The output authorized for the year in question constitutes the limiting ceiling of classification noted to article 3 of the decree referred to above n° 74.872. It can be asserted for the wines produced on the same given surface of vines in production only the appellation contrôlées “Sauternes” and “Bordeaux”. In this case, the quantity declared in name “Bordeaux” should not be higher than the difference between that likely to be asserted pursuant to the provisions relating to the limiting ceiling of classification of this name envisaged by the article 1st of the decree n° 74.958 of modified November 20, 1974 and that declared in the name “Sauternes”, assigned a coefficient equal to the quotient of the figure of the annual output established for harvest in question with regard to name “Bordeaux” by that of the basic output of name “Sauternes”. The benefit of the appellation contrôlée can be granted to the wines coming from the young vines only as from the third year following that during which the plantation was carried out places from there before August 31.
Art 5. -
Within one year, the wine trade union of Sauternes will have to present proposals tending to the regulation of the size of the vines producing the wine to name “Sauternes”. [The provisions relating to the regulation of the size and the densities of plantation were defined by a decree of Feb 15, 1947] From the grape harvest of 1947, only to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes” the wines will be entitled answering all the conditions fixed by the decree of control relating to this name and coming from the vines which will have been cut and planted in accordance with the provisions hereafter: The only modes of sizes authorized are as follows: For the type of vines Sémillon and Sauvignon. - Size in range, the stock being formed from 2 to 5 arms carrying on the whole 4 to 6 cots to the maximum cut in 2 eyes for Sémillon and 3 or 4 eyes for Sauvignon. For Muscadelle. - Size in range, the stock being formed from 2 to 5 arms carrying 4 to 6 cots cut to 1 ? it frank. However, for the type of vines Sémillon and Sauvignon, the simple Guyot size is also authorized, the stock carrying a long cut wood in 7 frank eyes to the frank maximum and 1 cot in 2 eyes with 1 ? it. The density of plantation must vary from 6.500 to 7.500 feet with the hectare, but can drop to 5.000 feet on the argillaceous slopes.
Art 6. -
(Modified, D. 24 janv. 1956; then D. Oct 9, 1956, art 1st) - the wine making will have to be made with grapes arrived at over-ripening (noble rot) collected by sorted successive. It will be in conformity with the local practice. The wines being entitled to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes” will profit from all the nologic practices ? currently authorized by the laws and payments in force, except for the concentration and of the fortifying which are prohibited. They could not be put in circulation without a certificate issued by an inspection board indicated by the national Institute of the labels of origin on a proposal from the wine trade union of the area of Sauternes and Barsac. This commission will examine whether the wine answers the conditions fixed by the regulation in force and in particular by this decree. Its reasoned opinion will be transmitted to interested and the indirect tax authorities. Rules of procedure approved by the national Institute of the labels of origin determine the procedure to be followed for the delivery of the certificate. [These provisions were supplemented by the decree n° 74.871 of October 19]
Art 7. The wines for which, under the present decree, the appellation contrôlée will be asserted “Sauternes” could not be declared, after harvest, offered to the public, dispatched, put on sale or sold without in the declaration of harvest, the advertisements, on the leaflets, labels, containers unspecified, the label of origin referred to above being accompanied by the mention “appellation contrôlée” in very apparent characters.
Art 8. -
Use of any indication or any sign likely to make believe in the purchaser that a wine is entitled to the appellation contrôlée “Sauternes”, whereas it does not answer all the conditions fixed by this decree is continued in accordance with the general legislation on the frauds and the protection of the art, labels of origin (L. August 1, 1905 1st and 2; L. May 6, 1919, art 8; D. August 19, 1921, art 13), without damage of the sanctions of a tax nature, if it is necessary. Warning: Information pré senté be on this site are the subject of a clause of nonresponsabilité INAO_19360930_8402/11/2006 Downloadable document: AOC_Sauternes_-_1982.doc