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

(2020/C 229/06)

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

‘RUCHÈ DI CASTAGNOLE MONFERRATO’

Reference number: PDO-IT-A1258-AM03

Date of communication: 4.5.2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Addition of the Riserva type

Description: Addition of the ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva type

Reasons: Although the terms of the PDO currently only permit the production of standard ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ wines, local producers have been ageing wines for some time now, both in the bottle and in vats or wooden barrels. In the light of trials carried out, we wished to distinguish which the aged wines, hence the addition of the Riserva type – which by law must be aged for at least 24 months, at least 12 of them in wood. The ageing process brings out the organoleptic characteristics of these highly appreciated wines, adding complexity to the aromas, elegance and perfect balance and adding a tannin note, mellowed by the ageing process, to the taste, as well as volume and length of finish. The PDO therefore benefits from the addition of this type of more structured wines, which are more appreciated by consumers, particularly in non-EU countries such as Japan and the United States. This amendment affects Articles 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the product specification and point 4 of the single document.

2. Maximum yields

Description: Inclusion of a wine-per-hectare yield for the new Riserva type

Reasons: The addition of a new type – ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva – calls for the corresponding yields to be specified. The same limits have been used as for the standard wines, namely 9 tonnes of grapes and 63 hectolitres of wine per hectare. As these are already very modest yields, they are also suitable for Riserva wines. In fact, in their efforts to continuously improve the quality of the wines they intend to subject to ageing, the PDO winemakers often reduce yields even further still. This amendment affects point 5b of the single document (Maximum yields) and Articles 4 and 5 of the product specification.

3. Wine-making practices

Description: Specification of a minimum ageing period for ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva

Reasons: The product specification needs to specify that, as required by current legislation, red wines must be aged for at least two years to use the term Riserva.

This amendment affects Articles 5 and 7 of the product specification.

4. Description of the wine(s)

Description: Addition of descriptors for the new type, ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva

Reasons: The inclusion of the new ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva wine type means that the organoleptic and chemical/physical characteristics that the wines are required to have when consumed need to be specified.

This amendment affects Article 6 of the product specification (Characteristics on consumption) and point 4 of the single document (Description of the wine(s)).

5. Traditional term Riserva

Description: Use of the term Riserva

Reasons: The product specification now states that the term Riserva can be used to name and label wines that have been aged for at least two years. Riserva wines have found their market niche with consumers who appreciate more structured wines such as those traditionally made in the ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ production area by subjecting wines to an ageing process, including wood-ageing. It also means that a wider range of wines can be offered on the market.

This amendment affects point 1.3.2b of the single document (Other information – traditional terms).

6. Closures

The closures that can be used for standard ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ wines are no longer limited to cork stoppers. It is now possible to use any closure permitted under current legislation with the exception of crown caps. This affords more flexibility, allowing producers to experiment with new closure options and giving them the opportunity to access different markets, both within and outside the EU.

The only closure permitted for ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva is a stopper cut from a single piece of natural cork, as this is considered the best choice to convey the prestige and quality of this niche product.

This amendment affects Article 8 of the product specification and the Additional provisions relating to labelling heading under point 9 of the single document (Further essential conditions).

7. Corrections

— Article 6(2) of the product specification has been deleted as it referred to a rule that is no longer in force.

— The references to legislation in Article 10 of the product specification (Control body) have been updated.

— The Protection Association’s contact details in point 1.2.1 of the single document have been updated.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Basic ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’, including varietals

Colour: ruby red with a slight violet sheen, sometimes tending towards orange.

Aroma: intense, long-lasting, slightly aromatic and fruity; spicy notes may also develop with sufficient ageing.

Taste: dry, round, harmonious, sometimes slightly tannic and medium-bodied with a slightly aromatic finish, sometimes with woody notes.

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,5 % vol.

Minimum sugar-free extract: 21 g/l.

Any analytical parameters not shown in the table below comply with the limits laid down in national and EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum total acidity: 4,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ Riserva

Colour: ruby red tending towards orange.

Aroma: intense, long-lasting, slightly aromatic and spicy.

Taste: dry, round, harmonious, sometimes slightly tannic and medium-bodied with a slightly aromatic finish and woody notes.

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,5 % vol. (minimum 12,5 % vol. for varietals)

Minimum total acidity: 4,0 g/l.

Minimum sugar-free extract: 21,0 g/l

Any analytical parameters not shown in the table below comply with the limits laid down in national and EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum total acidity: 4,0 Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

5. Wine-making practices

a. Specific oenological practices

NONE

b. Maximum yields

‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’

63 hectolitres per hectare

‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva

63 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The production area comprises the municipalities of Castagnole Monferrato, Grana, Montemagno, Portacomaro, Refrancore, Scurzolengo and Viarigi, which are located in the province of Asti within the region of Piedmont.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Barbera N.

Brachetto N.

Ruchè N.

8. Description of the link(s)

‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ DOCG

The seven municipalities in the DOCG area form a small wine-growing area in the part of the Monferrato area falling within the province of Asti, on the left bank of the River Tanaro. The area is characterised by low hills, with soils that are an intermediate medley of Monferrato’s marls and Asti’s Pliocene-era sands, in which an exclusive local grape variety not found elsewhere – Ruchè – is grown.

Luigi Cauda, a parish priest who served in Castagnole in the 1960s, can be chiefly credited for the custom of making wine from this variety alone, as well as for the local tradition of producing dry, high-quality wines.

9. Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Closures

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Any closure permitted under current legislation, with the exception of crown caps, can be used for standard ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’ wines.

The only closure permitted for ‘Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato’Riserva is a stopper cut from a single piece of natural cork.

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/15369

(1) OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.