Definition: cider brandy

Art. 1. − Only cider brandies that meet the production conditions set out in this decree may benefit from the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" (Breton cider brandy), initially defined by the decree of 10 April 1963. A joint order of the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Consumer Affairs and the Minister of Customs, issued on the recommendation of the National Committee for Wines, Spirits and Other Alcoholic Beverages of the National Institute of Origin and Quality, shall approve the technical regulations relating to the implementation of this decree.
Art. 2. − The geographical area of production of the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" comprises an apple production area and a cider production and distillation area.
(a) The apple production area consists of the territory of the following municipalities:
Côtes-d'Armor Department
Andel, Aucaleuc, Binic, Bobital, Bourseul, Broons, Brusvily, Calorguen, Caouënnec-Lanvézéac, Caulnes, Cavan, Les Champs-Géraux, Coëtmieux, Corseul, Créhen, Dinan, Dolo, Erquy, Etables-sur-Mer, Evran, Gommenec’h, Goudelin, Henanbihen, Henansal, Le Hingle, Illifaut, Jugon-les-Lacs, Kerfot, Lamballe, Landébia, Landehen, Langrolay-sur-Rance, Languenan, Lanleff, Lanloup, Lannebert, Lannion, Lantic, Lanvallay, Lanvellec, Lanvollon, Léhon, Matignon, Meslin, Noyal, Paimpol, Perros-Guirec, Plancoët, Planguenoual, Pléboulle, Plédéliac, Pléguien, Pléhédel, Plélo, Pleslin-Trigavou, Plessix-Balisson, Plestin-les-Grèves, Pleudihen-sur-Rance, Pléven, Plorec-sur-Arguenon, Ploubalay, Ploubezre, Plouer-sur-Rance, Plouézec, Plouha, Ploulec'h, Ploumilliau, Plourhan, Plouzelambre, Pludual, Pluduno, Plufur, Plumaudan, Pluzunet, Pommeret, Pommerit-le-Vicomte, Pordic, Prat, Quemperven, Quévert, Quintenic, Rospez, Ruca, Saint-Alban, Saint-André-des-Eaux, Saint-Carne, Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, Saint-Denoual, Saint-Helen, Saint-Jouan-de-l’Isle, Saint-Judoce, Saint-Juvat, Saint-Lormel, Saint-Maden, Saint-Michel-en-Grève, Saint-Potan, Saint-Quay-Perros, Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Saint-Rieul, Saint-Samson-sur-Rance, Taden, Tonquedec, Trédrez, Tréduder, Trégomeur, Trégon, Tréguidel, Trélivan, Trémel, Trémeloir, Tréméreuc, Trémeur, Tréméven, Tressignaux, Tréveneuc, Trévérec, Trévron, La Vicomté-sur-Rance, Yvias, Yvignac.
Finistère department - Entire municipalities:
Argol, Arzano, Bénodet, Clohars-Carnoët, Clohars-Fouesnant, Combrit, Concarneau, Elliant, Ergué-Gabéric, Le Faou, La Forêt-Fouesnant, Fouesnant, Gouesnach, Guimaec, Landevennec, Mahalon, Melgven, Mellac, Moëlan-sur-Mer, Nevez, Peumerit, Pleuven, Plogastel-Saint-Germain, Plomelin, Ploneïs, Plonéour-Lanvern, Plouégat-Guérand, Plovan, Pluguffan, Pont-Aven, Pont-l'Abbé, Pouldreuzic, Quimper, Quimperlé, Rédéné,
Riec-sur-Bélon, Rosnoen, Rosporden, Saint-Coulitz, Saint-Evarzec, Saint-Jean-Trolimon, Saint-Yvy, Tréguennec, Trégunc, Tréméoc, Tréogat;
Communes in part, for which the boundaries of the geographical area of production are shown on the cadastral map deposited at the town hall:
Plobannalec (sections ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD, ZE, ZH), Plomeur (sections ZE, ZH, ZI, ZK, ZL, ZM, ZN, ZP, ZO, ZV), Telgruc-sur-Mer (sections ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD, ZE, ZH, ZI, ZK, ZL, ZM, ZN),
Department of Ille-et-Vilaine
Acigné, Amanlis, Bain-de-Bretagne, Bais, Baulon, Bléruais, Boistrudan, La Bouëxière, Bourgbarre, Bourg-des-Comptes, Bovel, Brécé, Brie, Bruc-sur-Aff, Les Brulais, Campel, Cesson-Sévigné, Champeaux, Chancé, Chanteloup, Chantepie, La Chapelle-Bouëxic, La Chapelle-de-Brain, Châteaubourg, Châteaugiron, Châteauneuf d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Combles Sac, Cornillé, Corps-Nuds, Crévin, Domagné, Domloup, Essé, Gaël, Goven, Guichen, Guignen, Guipry, Iffendic, Janzé, Laillé, Langon, Lassy, Lieuron, Liffre, Lohéac, Loutehel, Louvigné-de-Bais, Marcillé-Robert, Marpire, Maure-de-Bretagne, Mernel, Messac, Miniac-Morvan, Monterfil, Montfort, Moulins, Muel, La Noë-Blanche, Nouvoitou, Noyal-sur-Vilaine, Orgères, Ossé, Pancé, Le Petit-Fougeray, Pipriac, Piré-sur-Seiche, Pléchatel, Plerguer, Plesder, Pleugueneuc, Pocé-les-Bois, Poligné, Redon, Sainte-Anne-sur-Vilaine, Saint-Armel, Saint-Aubin-des-Landes, Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, Saint-Aubin-du-Pavail, Saint-Didier, Saint-Domineuc, Saint-Erblon, Saint-Gonlay, Saint-Jean-de-Couesnon, Saint-Jean-sur-Vilaine, Saint-Malo-de-Phily, Saint-Malon-sur-Mel, Sainte-Marie, Saint-Maugan, Saint-Père, Saint-Pierre-de-Plesguen, Saint-Séglin, Saint-Senoux, Saint-Suliac, Saint-Thurial, Saulnières, Le Sel-de-Bretagne, Servon-sur-Vilaine, Thorigné-Fouillard, Torcé, Tresse, Trévérien, Le Verger, Vern-sur-Seiche, La Ville-ès-Nonais, Le Tronchet, Pont-Péan;
Department of Loire-Atlantique
Avessac, Fégréac, Guenrouet, Massérac, Plessé, Sévérac, Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon;
Department of Morbihan
Allaire, Ambon, Auray, Baden, Berric, Brandérion, Brech, Brignac, Calan, Camors, Carentoir, Caudan, Cléguer, Crach, Evriguet, Les Fougerets, La Gacilly, Gestel, Guer, Guidel, Le Hezo, Inzinzac-Lochrist, Kervignac, Landaul, Landevant, Lanester, Lanvaudan, Larmor-Baden, Lauzach, Locoal-Mendon, Lorient, Malestroit, Mauron, Ménéac, Merlevenez, Missiriac, Nostang, Ploemel, Ploemeur, Plouay, Pluvigner, Pont-
Scorff, Porcaro, Quelneuc, Quéven, Rieux, Ruffiac, Saint-Brieuc-de-Mauron, Saint-Congard, Saint-Dolay, Saint-Jean-la-Poterie, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Léry, Saint-Marcel, Saint-Martin, Saint-Nicolas-du-Tertre, Saint- Perreux, Sulniac, Surzur, Théhillac, Theix, Tréal, La Trinité-Surzur, Bono.
b) The cider production and distillation area comprises the entire territory of the municipalities included in the production area defined above and the following municipalities:
Department of Finistère
Plomeur;
Côtes-d'Armor department
Plounérin.
Art. 3. − The apples used must come exclusively from cider varieties. Orchards planted after the publication of this decree shall be planted in accordance with the following provisions:
Cider apples shall come from the apple tree varieties specified in the technical implementing regulations provided for in Article 1 of this decree. Trees planted throughout an orchard and for the same type of cultivation shall be 70% or
more of the main category, rich in phenolic compounds, and 15% or less of the acidulous category, as set out in the technical implementing regulations. Orchards larger than one hectare shall include at least five varieties from the main category listed in the technical implementing regulations provided for in Article 1 of this decree.
Art. 4. − Orchards shall consist of apple trees grown either as standard trees or as dwarf trees. Standard orchards shall have a planting density of less than 180 trees per hectare. Orchard trees grown as "low-stem" trees have a planting density of less than 650 trees per hectare. Apple trees are pruned or trimmed regularly and are free of mistletoe. Irrigation is prohibited once the apple trees start producing fruit. The methods for managing orchards are specified in the technical regulations provided for in Article 1 of this Decree.
Art. 5. − The maximum average yield for orchards in production is set at 30 tonnes per hectare for "low-stem" orchards and 25 tonnes per hectare for "high-stem" orchards. The maximum average yield for "high-stem" orchards is 400 kg of apples per tree. Young trees are only taken into account for the production of fruit intended for the production of the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" from:
– the seventh year following the year in which planting took place before 31 May for trees grown as 'high-stemmed';
– the third year following the year in which planting took place before 31 May for trees grown as "low-stem" trees.
Art. 6. − Cider fruit is harvested when ripe, transported, handled and stored in conditions that allow it to be in good condition for juice extraction. In order to preserve the keeping quality of cider apples from orchards identified as Pommeau de Bretagne, they shall be selected in accordance with the procedures laid down in the technical implementing rules provided for in Article 1 of this Decree. Harvesting is carried out manually or using equipment whose characteristics, which respect the integrity of the fruit and prevent contamination, are specified in the technical regulations provided for in Article 1 of this decree.
Art. 7. − Cider apples shall be crushed or grated. The pulp obtained shall be pressed without mixing using presses whose characteristics are specified in the technical implementing regulations provided for in Article 1 of this Decree. Additional extraction of juice by a process known as remiage is prohibited. No addition of water is permitted. No more than 750 litres of must may be obtained per tonne of cider apples used. The fermentation of the musts is carried out slowly and independently. A minimum period of one month must be observed between the date of pressing and the date of distillation. The must obtained must have a minimum natural sugar content of 85 grams per litre before fermentation begins.
Art. 8. − At distillation, ciders must have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 5% at 20°C and a volatile acidity, expressed as sulphuric acid, of between 0.8 grams per litre and 2.5 grams per litre.
Art. 9. − Ciders shall be distilled either using so-called principal type apparatus with distillation columns in a continuous multi-stage distillation process with reflux, or using so-called accessory type apparatus with pot stills in a simple discontinuous distillation process known as repasse. To claim the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" (Breton cider brandy), at least 50% of the total volume of brandy claimed must be distilled using a principal type distillation system. The boilers of the stills or distillation apparatus are heated over an open flame. The characteristics and operating methods of these stills or distillation apparatus are specified in the technical regulations provided for in Article 1 of this decree. The use of rectification is prohibited. All parts of the stills and distillation apparatus that come into contact with cider, alcohol-depleted cider, vapours and condensates are made of copper.
Art. 10. − Spirits with the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" shall have a maximum alcoholic strength by volume of 72.5% vol. at 20°C when they leave the daily distillation collection vessel.
Spirits with the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" shall have a minimum content of volatile substances other than ethyl and methyl alcohols of 350 g/hl of AP and a maximum methanol content of 200 g/hl of AP.
Spirits with the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40% at 20°C when released for consumption.
Art. 11. − To qualify for the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne", spirits must comply with the regulatory provisions of this decree and the aforementioned decree of 3 November 1987 relating to the approval of this designation.

Art. 12. − Eau-de-vie for which the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" is claimed may not be declared after production, offered to the public, shipped, put up for sale or sold without the aforementioned designation of origin being accompanied by the words "Appellation réglementée" (Regulated Designation) in clearly visible characters on the stock records, accompanying documents and commercial documents, on the labels, containers of any kind and on any advertising medium, the aforementioned designation of origin is accompanied by the words "Appellation réglementée" (Regulated Designation) in clearly visible characters. The use of any indication or sign likely to lead the purchaser to believe that a spirit is entitled to the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" when it does not meet all the conditions laid down in this decree shall be prosecuted in accordance with the general legislation on the prevention of fraud and the protection of designations of origin, without prejudice to any fiscal penalties that may be applicable.
Art. 13. Notwithstanding Article 3 of this decree, the presence of apple trees of varieties not listed in the technical implementing regulations provided for in Article 1 of this decree is authorised, provided that their planting is certified as having taken place prior to 1 January 1980 and that they do not exceed 20% of the area planted with orchards on a farm.
Art. 14. − The provisions relating to the regulated designation of origin "Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne" (Breton cider brandy) set out in the amended Decree of 10 April 1963 concerning cider brandies and perry brandies with regulated designations of origin from Normandy, Brittany and Maine are repealed.
Art. 15. − The Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister Delegate for the Budget and State Reform, Government Spokesperson, are responsible, each in their respective areas, for the implementation of this Decree, which shall be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
Done at Paris, 2 May 2007. By the Prime Minister: DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, DOMINIQUE BUSSEREAU.
The Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, THIERRY BRETON.
The Minister Delegate for the Budget and State Reform, Government Spokesperson, JEAN-FRANÇOIS COPÉ.