Publication of a Communication of Approval of a Standard
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C 306/4 EN Official Journal of the European Union 10.9.2019 OTHER ACTS EUROPEAN COMMISSION Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the product specification for a n ame in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (2019/C 306/03) This notice is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1). COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT ‘Monferrato’ Reference number: PDO-IT-A1210-AM03 Date of communication: 25.6.2019 DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT 1. Formal amendments to and clarifications of the text and insertion of the ‘Monferrato Nebbiolo’ type Description and reasons Description: the types, additional specifications or terms are indicated in the designation. Reason: this is a formal amendment that inserts a listing of wines in order to make them stand out clearly. Description: for Monferrato rosso, Dolcetto and Freisa wines, the words ‘including Novello’ are specified. Reason: this is a formal amendment reflecting the use — already in place — of the term ‘Novello’. These amendments relate to Article 1 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. Description: the new type ‘Monferrato Nebbiolo’ is inserted. Reason: this amendment is dictated by the need to protect a grape variety typical of the region of Piedmont, Nebbiolo, which has always been grown in the ‘Monferrato’ production area. In view of the excellent quality of wine produced in this area, hitherto exclusively designated as ‘Monferrato rosso’ (red), the intention is to better describe and highlight this grape variety by a new type which bears its name. This amendment relates to section 1.4 of the Single Document and Article 1 of the product specification. 2. Insertion of the combination of grape varieties for the Monferrato Nebbiolo type Description and reasons Description: the varieties used to produce the new type ‘Monferrato Nebbiolo’ are inserted: from 90 to 100 % Nebbiolo variety, with a maximum of 10 % of other non-aromatic red grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont Region Reason: this is a new type and therefore the combination of grape varieties which can be used for its production is described; the use of the Nebbiolo variety with a clear prevalence of up to 100 % is backed up by tradition and the many years of experimentation carried out to obtain high quality wines. This amendment relates to Article 2 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. (1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2. 10.9.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 306/5 3. Rephrasing of the grape production area Description and reasons Description: the different types produced and the corresponding areas and municipalities are specified. The production area does not change. Reason: this is a formal rewriting of the text to make it easier to identify the production area of grapes used in the types within the designation. This amendment relates to section 1.6 of the Single Document and Article [number missing] of the product specification. 4. Rewording of the grape production standards and introduction of a maximum grape yield and minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume for the Nebbiolo variety — Use of surpluses Description and reasons Description: the traditional cultivation conditions of the Monferrato area (soil and texture, position, exposure, planting density, forms of cultivation and pruning methods) are specified. Reason: this amendment better identifies the geological nature of the land and the conditions for cultivation introduced. Description: insertion of the grape yield in tonnes per hectare and the corresponding minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of the new type ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo (9 t/ha and 11,5 % by volume) and ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo Superiore (8 t/ha and 12 % by volume). Reason: the observations made over the years on Nebbiolo vines cultivated in the Monferrato area have made it possible to identify the maximum yield per hectare and the natural minimum strength of the musts which allow the Nebbiolo grapes to be expressed in a balanced way in the corresponding wines. These amendments relate to Article 4 of the specification and, in the case of the maximum yields, to section 1.5.2 of the Single Document, whilst the specification of the geological nature of the land relates only to Article 9 of the specification. Description: the text relating to the excess over the maximum permissible yield that can be classified as DOC, which remains at 20 %, has been rewritten. Reason: this is a formal amendment. Description: the words ‘exceptionally good years’ have been replaced by ‘particularly abundant years’. Reason: the purpose is to highlight the importance for production of the weather conditions of the year. These amendments relate to Article 4 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. Description: the arrangements for using the surpluses (20 %) of DOC and DOCG wines in the same production area of ‘Monferrato’ DOC are specified, subjecting them to a specific regional authorisation at the request of the protection association and following consultation of organisations in the sector. Reason: this relates to the need to regulate incoming product flows in order to allow for better management of the designation ‘Monferrato’ DOC. This amendment relates to Article 4 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. 5. Specifications concerning production and vinification Description and reasons Description: The maximum grape/wine yield is indicated for all existing types as well as the new type ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo and ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo Superiore. Reason: this is an adaptation of the text relating to yield limits. This amendment relates to Article 5 of the specification and Section 1.5.2 of the Single Document. Description: the rules governing any excess yield are reworded. C 306/6 EN Official Journal of the European Union 10.9.2019 Reason: this relates to the specific description of the loss of the right to the designation ‘Monferrato’ DOC for the whole batch if it exceeds 5 % of the defined maximum grape/wine yield. This amendment relates to Article 5 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. Description: introduction of the ageing period for the new types ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo and ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo Superiore, set at 12 m onths for the former and at least 18 months, of which at least 6 m onths in wood, for the latter, calculated from 1 November of the year in which the grapes were harvested. Reason: Monferrato Nebbiolo wine, based on the experiments carried out, must benefit from a substantial period of ageing, of at least 18 months and partly in wooden casks in the case of Superiore, in order to reach its optimum quality. In this way, the organoleptic characteristics of this valuable wine develop and acquire complex aromas, elegance and perfect balance. This amendment relates to Article 5 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. 6. Variations and specifications in the characteristics of wine when consumed and introduction of the Monferrato Nebbiolo type Description and reasons Description: for the Monferrato rosso, Monferrato Dolcetto and Monferrato Freisa types, the Novello type is also indicated together with the corresponding descriptions. The name of the Cortese grape variety is added to the Monferrato Casalese type. Reason: this relates to the inclusion in the description of the organoleptic characteristics of all the permitted types; in the case of Cortese alongside the geographical indication Casalese, this is a formal addition as it is already present. Description: for the types Monferrato bianco, Chiaretto, Dolcetto, Freisa and Casalese Cortese, the minimum total acidity at consumption is reduced by 0,5 g/l. Reason: climate change and the ripening periods that have occurred in recent years, with higher temperatures than usual, have led to earlier ripening and a physiological reduction in the total acidity in the musts and thus in the wines, necessitating a lowering of the minimum value in grams per litre of this parameter laid down at the time of consumption for the types present. Description: the characteristics at consumption of the new ‘Monferrato’ Nebbiolo type are introduced, including the Superiore indication. Reason: the inclusion of the new ‘Monferrato Nebbiolo’ wine necessitates the definition of the chemical, physical and organoleptic requirements that characterise it at consumption. Having been carefully considered, the data and descriptions refer to a high-quality product with medium to long ageing in the cellar. Description: the information that ‘Monferrato’ wines can show a slight hint of wood taste is added. Reason: this is a clarification provided to the consumer that specifies something that may happen if the wines are kept in wooden containers. These amendments relate to Article 6 of the specification. There is no amendment to the single document. 7. Labelling, designation and presentation Description and reasons Description: the ban on the use of the ‘Superiore’ indication is lifted. Reason: This amendment is necessary in view of the inclusion of the new Monferrato Nebbiolo type with the Superiore indication. Description: the ban on the use of geographical indications and of the term ‘vigna’ (vineyard) with the relevant place name or traditional name is lifted. Reason: this is an adaptation in compliance with the legislation currently in force. 10.9.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 306/7 Description: the reference to the geographical indication ‘Casalese’ — which must appear in characters of a size equal to or smaller than those used for the word ‘Monferrato’, with the same font, colour and colorimetric index — is better described. Reason: the amendment is intended to adapt the use of the name of the designation to the general national and EU legislation so that producers can provide indications on the grape variety in the manner demanded by markets, especially abroad, that particularly value our varietal products.