Publication of a Communication of Approval of a Standard
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19.7.2021 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 288/31 Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (2021/C 288/07) This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1) COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT ‘BARDOLINO’ PDO-IT-A0436-AM03 Date of communication: 26 April 2021 DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT 1. Name and wines DESCRIPTION: (a) There are now sub-areas named ‘Montebaldo’, ‘La Rocca’ and ‘Sommacampagna’. The rules for these sub-areas are laid down in Annex 1, which is found at the end of the product specification and forms an integral part of it. REASONS: (a) Through this amendment, the traditional product – everyday light red wines to be served chilled, mainly aimed at the local market and central Europe – is to be supplemented by three specific historical sub-areas that are capable of producing wines with more elegance, finesse and longevity, while still remaining faithful to the stylistic elements that are typical of ‘Bardolino’, which was first established as a denominazione di origine controllata (‘controlled designation of origin’ or DOC) in 1968. The aim is to move away from the approach of the current product specification, lacking any differentiation. Doing so makes it possible to convey the image of wines with more capacity to express characteristics of local identity and which can be kept for longer. This can be achieved by fully exploiting the qualities that these three sub-areas’ wines have been known for throughout history, opening up access to new target markets with an interest in red wines that denote more elegance and longevity, and thus allowing a greater mark-up on prices. In the product specification: this amendment affects Article 1 and Annex 1. In the single document: this amendment consists of adding references to the sub-areas to the Description of the wine(s), Wine-making practices and Link with the geographical area sections. 2. Varietal mix DESCRIPTION: (a) The proportion of Corvina grapes in the varietal mix is now capped at 95 %, rather than 80 %, and Rondinella grapes must now account for a minimum of 5 %, rather than 10 %. REASONS: (a) Increasing the Corvina ceiling to 95 % allows better use to be made of this variety in areas that are particularly suited to growing it. This is especially the case with the sub-areas: the results of a terroir mapping study show that, on average, thanks to Corvina’s adaptability, it is the grape variety gives the best standard of quality while at the same time ensuring that the wines’ distinguishing features are retained in full. The aim behind this proposed amendment, structured in these terms and with the purpose, as stated above, of enhancing the terroir qualities of the ‘Bardolino’ name, is that whenever the conditions are right – i.e. following the guidance given in the terroir mapping study – a ‘Bardolino’ wine will be a blend of the two native varieties, Corvina (1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2. C 288/32 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 19.7.2021 (Corvinone) and Rondinella. Alternatively, when dictated or advised by the circumstances, and always with the aim of allowing the terroir’s typical features to shine through, this blend can be complemented with varieties from a very broad range, as is traditional practice in the area. To allow Corvina to account for up to 95 % of the mix, the minimum requirement for Rondinella has to be reduced to 5 %. In the product specification: this amendment affects Article 2. 3. Growing area DESCRIPTION: Growing areas have been established for the grapes used to make the ‘Montebaldo’, ‘La Rocca’ and ‘Sommacampagna’ sub-area wines. REASONS: Using the results of the terroir mapping study, the administrative boundaries of each of the three sub-areas – ‘Montebaldo’, ‘La Rocca’ and ‘Sommacampagna’ – have been established on the basis of historical and agronomic factors. In the product specification: this amendment affects Article 1 and Annex 1. 4. Wine-growing rules DESCRIPTION: (a) The rules on training systems have been revised. (b) Yield per hectare has been reduced to 12 tonnes. (c) Four paragraphs have been added stating that, if requested by the Protection Association and following consultation of trade organisations, the regional authorities may: take decisions regarding where grapes are to be sent, what they can be used for and the maximum amount of grapes per hectare that can be used; reduce the authorised grape yield and wine extraction rate; and increase the maximum surplus yield per hectare that can be set aside for future use by up to 20 %. REASONS: (a) This amendment allows the use of arbour trellising (pergola) with an inclined canopy, in addition to the one-armed arbour-trellising system known as pergoletta. Thanks to the area’s soil and climate, high-quality grapes and even ripening can also be achieved – within the limits of the product specification – with this training system, which is typical to the Lake Garda area. (b) Over the last five years, the ‘Bardolino’ DOC Protection Association has been implementing market regulation policies to stabilise prices and prevent them from collapsing. When the authorities of the Veneto Region consulted the trade organisations in their preparations to adopt measures limiting yields for ‘Bardolino’ DOC for the 2016 harvest – the fifth year in a row that such measures had been taken – those organisations strongly urged the ‘Bardolino’ Protection Association to take more appropriate measures in the form of a revision of the product specification. This consultation of the trade organisations is referred to in the Decree adopting those measures, issued by the Veneto Region authorities on 8 September 2016. This proposal to reduce the limit on yield per hectare from 13 to 12 tonnes therefore meets the demands of the industry, the trade organisations in the sector and the authorities of the Veneto Region. The yield per hectare needs to be reduced to increase the economic value and quality suggested by this wine name. In any case, this change merely brings production into line with how vineyards are now being run, with the old planting system having been entirely replaced by the use of rows. Analysis shows that the volume of the wine bottled has remained more or less stable over the last five years, and that the market is capable of absorbing only part of the wine produced, meaning that only a small percentage sells at prices that are likely to return a profit for the winemakers and contribute to shaping a reputation of quality for these wines on national and international markets. The industry has therefore opted for a general reduction in the amount of wine eligible to carry the name ‘Bardolino’ DOC. 19.7.2021 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union C 288/33 (c) The text now includes a number of wine-growing rules that are applicable in certain specific conditions. In the product specification: this amendment affects Article 4. In the single document: this amendment concerns the Maximum yields heading within the Wine-making practices section. 5. Wine-making rules DESCRIPTION: (a) The sparkling wines (‘Bardolino’ Chiaretto Spumante) are no longer limited to the brut, extra dry and dry categories of that product type. (b) The area where the conversion of base wine into sparkling wine has to be carried out (to make ‘Bardolino’ Chiaretto Spumante) has been revised. (c) For a wine to use the name ‘Bardolino’ Novello, the carbonic maceration requirement has been increased from 85 % to 100 % of grapes. (d) Inter-vintage blending is now permitted, limited to wines from two years immediately prior to and one year immediately after the vintage under which a wine is to be certified. (e) The product specification now states that ‘Bardolino’ and ‘Bardolino’ Classico wines can be released onto the market from 15 January of the year in which the grapes used to make them were picked. (f) Three paragraphs have been added stating that, if requested by the Protection Association and following consultation of trade organisations, the regional authorities may set a ceiling on the amount of wine that can be certified that is lower than the limit established in the product specification, meaning that any must and wine obtained from surplus amounts of grapes have to be held in bulk and, if requested by the Protection Association, may be certified. REASONS: (a) This change makes it possible to make ‘Bardolino’ Chiaretto Spumante in any of the sparkling wine categories permitted by law apart from sweet, meaning that producers will be able to meet demand for different product types. As ‘Bardolino’ Chiaretto Spumante is a sparkling rosé characterised by qualities of mellowness, different vintages may be more suited to different categories of sparkling wine. (b) The process of converting base wine into sparkling wine can now be performed anywhere in the Region of Veneto, as well as in the provinces of Mantua, Brescia and Trento. (c) ‘Bardolino’Novello was the first Italian vino novello (nouveau wine) to obtain DOC status (in 1987). The area’s winemakers make this wine using carbon maceration alone. The percentage of carbon maceration required for a wine to be ‘Bardolino’ Novello has been increased with a view to improving quality. (d) Limiting the wines to be used in inter-vintage blending to those from two years immediately prior to and one year immediately after the vintage being marketed ensures that ‘Bardolino’ PDO wines will always have the freshness and drinkability for which ‘Bardolino’ is traditionally known.