Calender of Reforms for 2008
The reform of the AOC system is happening all over France in 2008, and is a source of confusion for most people both inside and outside of the wine regions concerned. This is the detail of what it means in Bordeaux/Bordeaux Superieur (the text has been written by the Syndicate itself, so of course is not critical of what may be a difficult implemenation.)
-2008-
A year of implementing the AOC Reform at the Syndicate of AOC Bordeaux et Bordeaux Supérieur
With the introduction of the AOC reforms from July 1, 2008, a new era begins for all the appellations, institutions and actors of the wine industry.
The new reforms are based upon three main points :
The wine syndicates will become Organisme de Défense et de Gestion (in charge of protecting and growing their regions).
The ‘cahiers des charges’ (governing rules) will replace the current decrees and which fix the rules of production, vinification and bottling of each AOC after validation by INAO.
The ‘organisme d’Inspection’ (inspection group) that is independent of the ODGs and will ensure that all the rules of production are adhered to. This will be ensured through a system of inspections defined with the ODG and validated by INAO.
Details of the roll-out of this plan in AOC Bordeaux et Bordeaux Supérieur, the largest wine syndicate in France.
After two years of intense preparation, marked by a great deal of work and a number of propositions by a group appointed to oversee the process, and after numerous meetings with winemakers acorss the region, the pricincapl points of the reform are now being put into practise.
8 February 2008 : General assembly voted for the modificaiton of the statutes governing AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superier, to be replace with an OGM. This mean :
Integrating a negociant body into the heard of the General Assembly and the Administration Borad.
The Creation of a section specific for Crémant de Bordeaux,
Defining the new missions of the ODG.
29 May 2008 : INAO valiated the dossier and the governing rules of AOC Bordeaux (red, white, rose and clairet). This ended severals years of difficult discussions over viticulture and vinification rules.
3 June 2008 : General Assembly validated the new governing rules, with precise directives on production, vinification and bottling.
1 July 2008 : The producers of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur called to fill in their obligatory ‘Déclaration d’Identification’ of adherence to the new rules.
The producer commits to repspecting the new rules and regulations of the appellations, and to allow the inspections and the finance the new system of controls.
On 31 August 2008, over 5,500 producers agreed to this, and asked for the new Identifications (given by INAO) for the AOCs Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur and Crémant de Bordeaux.
July 2008 : Quali-Bordeaux, the independent body created in June 2007 and validated by INAO on 30 June 2008, began its first controls on the wine that was currently in cellars and ready to be put onto the open market by producers and negociants.
July 2008 : the syndicate of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur assembled the technical service that will be in charge internal controls on the production and inspections.
November 2008 : After the harvest, producers will fill out a ‘Demande de Revendication’ that will replace the current request for AOC-agreement, from the relevant ODG.
The wine syndicate of AOC Bordeaux et Bordeaux Supérieur was instrumental in the roll-out of AOC reforms, and ensuring its smooth implementation to the agreed timescales.
In conclution, the reforms will ensure:
A closer working relationship with negociants
The end of technical stumblings blocks over plantation density
Quality checks of the wine at the point of sale.
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