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A look back at the CNAOV meeting on November 27, 2025: modernizing designations, making technical adjustments and turning towards innovation
Meeting under the aegis of INAO, the Comité national des appellations d'origine relatives aux vins, boissons alcoolisées et spiritueuses (CNAOV) has adopted a series of landmark decisions aimed at adapting specifications to current economic, climatic and technical realities, while reaffirming the requirement for quality and the link to the terroir.
Between regulatory simplification, controlled openness to innovation and yield adjustments for the 2025 campaign, this session confirms CNAOV's determination to reconcile tradition, performance and legibility for the industry.
Simplification of specifications, INAO efficiency, strengthening and looking to the future: towards greater legibility and efficiency
The CNAOV has undertaken a fundamental reflection on the simplification of specifications in order to better prioritize requirements according to their real role in quality, product identity and the link to origin. The aim is to refocus specifications (and consequently controls) on the elements that really structure quality and the link to origin, and to lighten administrative constraints deemed irrelevant.
A specific working group has been set up to support this modernization, which is set to transform PDO governance in the long term.
Innovation: experimentation and a common framework
The meeting also marked a major step forward in terms of innovation. The Committee validated the principle of:
- pooled experimentation between several PDOs at national level,
- a platform for sharing protocols and results,
- and the drafting of a guideline framing the integration of innovations into specifications.
This work aims to support ODGs in the face of climatic and technical challenges, while guaranteeing respect for territorial specificities.
Tasting and organoleptic vocabulary: a clarified framework
The "Organoleptic examination" working group continues to harmonize practices with the confirmation:
- of a national list of defect words, common to all appellations,
- and specific lists of words adapted to each PDO.
This development strengthens the legal certainty and consistency of conformity examinations.
A substantial volume of requests to amend specifications
The November 27 session was also marked by the examination of numerous dossiers to amend specifications, reflecting an ongoing dynamic to adapt appellations to technical, regulatory and economic developments.
Among the most significant dossiers are:
- requests relating to changes in grape variety rules, with in particular the transfer of certain grape varieties from the VIFA category to that of accessory grape varieties, accompanied by new rules on proportion at farm level and in blending;
- adjustments relating to ageing conditions, minimum durations or marketing dates, with the aim of better matching production realities ;
- projects linked to changes in labeling rules, reflecting a desire for clarification and legal certainty;
- several procedures for revising geographical areas and parcel delimitations, associated with public consultations and the involvement of expert commissions.
These requests illustrate the search for a balance between maintaining product identity and the necessary ability of sectors to adapt in the face of climatic, economic and competitive challenges.
Some examples:
IG "Genièvre Flandre Artois"
The Committee validated several changes:
- raising the maximum TAV during the last distillation phase to 70%,
- clarifying labeling rules,
- reinforcing the framework for wood aging.
PDO "Côtes du Rhône"
The Committee voted in favor of definitive parcel delimitation in new communes and the implementation of a national objection procedure on the corresponding revision of the specifications.
Saumur and Crémant de Loire
Validation of the introduction of new varieties of interest for adaptation (VIFA), reinforcing the climatic resilience of vineyards, particularly for small-scale operations.
Yields 2025: balance between regulation and adaptation
The National Committee has confirmed the yield requests formulated by the CRINAOs for the 2025 harvest, with in some cases the addition of complementary (VCI) or supplementary (VSI) volumes. This approach aims to secure production while taking account of specific territorial and climatic features.
Strengthened, forward-looking governance
The CNAOV reaffirms its commitment to modernized governance of official quality and origin identification signs, reconciling high standards, adaptation and transparency. All of the guidelines adopted are in line with a rationale of sustainability, enhancing the value of terroirs and the competitiveness of the industry.