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 448/06)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATION OF STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Malta’

PDO-MT-A1630-AM01

Date of communication: 5 October 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

Minor amendments to the grape varieties allowed and some other oenological practices. All these amendments were requested by local wine producers.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Malta

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Sparkling wine

15. Wine from raisined grapes

16. Wine of overripe grapes

4. Description of the wine(s)

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

All references being made to ‘Legal Notice 416 of 2007’ is being suggested to be replaced with ‘S.L 436.07’.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—

Minimum total acidity:

—

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

—

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

—

5. Wine making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Passito

Specific oenological practice

The term ‘Passito’. This may be used exclusively for wines 100 % of which is obtained from grapes which have undergone a drying process, in whole or in part, on the plant or after harvest, resulting in the concentration of grape sugars to a minimum natural potential alcoholic strength of 18,0 % vol. and of which the minimum actual alcoholic strength is 12,0 % vol.

2. Imqadded

Specific oenological practice

The term ‘Imqadded’. This may be used exclusively for wines 100 % of which is obtained from grapes which have undergone a drying process, in whole or in part, on the plant or after harvest, resulting in the concentration of grape sugars to a minimum natural potential alcoholic strength of 14,0 % vol. and of which the minimum actual alcoholic strength is 12,5 % vol.

3. Riżerva

Specific oenological practice

The mention DOK ‘Riżerva’ white wines must possess a minimum natural alcoholic content of 12,0 % vol. and a minimum total alcoholic content of 12,0 % vol. DOK ‘Riżerva’ red wines must possess a minimum natural alcoholic content of 12,5 % vol. and a minimum total alcoholic content of 12,5 % vol. Both typologies must be aged for a minimum of six months in the bottle before commercial release and cannot be commercialized before twenty-four months have elapsed from the 1st of September of the vintage year. Red wines must have a minimum ageing of twelve months in oak barrels prior to the six month ageing in the bottle. If the mention ‘Riżerva’ is used on the wine label, it is obligatory also to specify the vintage year on the label.

The mention ‘Riżerva’ may be replaced by the term ‘Reserve’.

4. Ġellewża

Relevant restriction on making the wines

The minimum natural alcoholic strength (% vol) of Ġellewża is to be amended from 10,5 % to 10,0 %.

5. Girgentina

Relevant restriction on making the wines

The minimum natural alcoholic strength (% vol) of Girgentina is to be amended from 10,5 % to 10,0 %.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. Malbec

12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The production region is the island of Malta. Vines are cultivated in most areas, from coastal to inland with a higher concentration in the north and west.

7. Main wine grapes variety(ies)

Cabernet franc

Cabernet sauvignon

Carignan

Carmenere

Chardonnay

Chenin blanc

Gellewza

Girgentina

Graciano

Grenache

Inzolia

Lambrusco

Malbec

Merlot

Montepulciano

Moscato D’Alessandria

Moscato bianco

Moscato giallo

Mourvedre

Negroamaro

Nero D’Avola

Petit Verdot

Pinot bianco

Pinot noir

Primitivo

Sangiovese

Sauvignon blanc

Syrah

Tempranillo

Trebbiano

Vermentino

Viognier

8. Description of the link(s)

No amendments are to be carried out in this section.

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

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Wines that are certified to be in conformity with PDO status are assigned banderols that bear a control number. These banderols are issued by the Viticulture and Oenology Unit. The control number is obligatory and consists of three letters and a serial number. The first two letters, MT identify Malta as the country of origin, whereas the third letter represents the lot of banderols. PDO wines must possess a banderol emitted by the Viticulture and Oenology Unit, in order to be placed on the market.

Link to the product specification

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/food-safety-and-quality/certification/quality-labels/geographical-indications-register/details/EUGI00000007621

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