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 286/03)

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

‘Mittelburgenland’

Reference number: PDO-AT-A0214-AM01

Date of communication: 21.2.2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

Description and reasons

As the vineyard register is now managed under the integrated administration and control system, the maximum yield per hectare must be adjusted.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Mittelburgenland

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The ‘Mittelburgenland’ designation of origin may only be used for wines obtained from the Blaufränkisch variety which have the high level of fruitiness and spice typical of that variety. Other organoleptic characteristics are set out in the product specification.

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

a. Essential oenological practices

Relevant restrictions on making the wines

All the oenological practices authorised for wine with a protected designation of origin under Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935 are permitted for the ‘Mittelburgenland’ designation of origin, except for treatment with potassium sorbate and with dimethyl dicarbonate. Deacidification of the wines is possible in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935. The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism decides on possible acidification depending on the climate conditions during the growing season. The conditions for possible acidification are in this case governed by Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935.

The specific oenological practices (including enrichment) are derived from the selected traditional production method and described in the product specification.

b. Maximum yields

10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The geographical area of the ‘Mittelburgenland’ designation of origin comprises the political district of Oberpullendorf in Burgenland.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Blaufränkisch – Frankovka

8. Description of the link(s)

The soils in Mittelburgenland consist of Tegel (local term for grey, sandy clay), clay, sand and gravel. Old coral beds made of Leitha limestone jut out of the soil in places. The soils are ideal for producing the Blaufränkisch variety, not least because of their good water retention capacity in conjunction with the heat-regulating influence of the nearby Lake Neusiedl.

The production structure in the Mittelburgenland wine region is characterised by family-run winegrowing businesses which mainly process grapes from their own production and, in many cases, also sell directly from their farms. Two modern cooperatives supplement the family-run holdings. There is a strong link between the high level of tourism and the wine industry. Typically, the wine must be fruity and spicy. Ageing must take place in large oak barrels, used barriques or steel tanks. Wine with the additional designation ‘Reserve’ must be fruity, spicy and powerful. Ageing takes place in large oak barrels or barriques. The subsoil consists of Tegel, clay, sand and gravel. Old coral beds made of Leitha limestone jut out of the soil in places. The soils of this region prove to be an ideal basis for cultivating the Blaufränkisch variety – not only because of their good water retention capacity in conjunction with the heat-regulating influence of the nearby Lake Neusiedl.

In the Mittelburgenland region, the Pannonian climate is prevalent. The protection of three hill chains in the north, south and west and the exposure to the lowlands of the Pannonian Basin provide ideal climate conditions for cultivating the Blaufränkisch variety. At least 300 days of sunshine and annual precipitation of only 600 mm (approx.) guarantee that the grapes and wine produced are of excellent quality.

Moreover, the predominantly family-run nature of the winegrowing businesses means that the traditional style of winemaking is passed from generation to generation, which adds to the distinctive character of Mittelburgenland wines.

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Under the Austrian Wine Act, a wine with the ‘Mittelburgenland’ designation of origin may only be marketed if it has an official quality check number [Staatliche Prüfnummer]. In order to obtain a quality check number, a sample of each wine to be marketed with the ‘Mittelburgenland’ designation of origin (systematic check) must be subjected to analytical and organoleptic tests (cf. the product specification).

Parties intending to submit an application for an official quality check number for a wine with the sales denomination ‘Mittelburgenland DAC’ must inform the Burgenland Regional Wine Committee in writing each year.

The panel tasting for the purposes of awarding a quality check number for wine with the sales denomination ‘Mittelburgenland DAC’ must take place at the Federal Viticulture Office in Eisenstadt. An application for a quality check number for wine with the sales denomination ‘Mittelburgenland DAC’ may be submitted from 1 January of the second year following the harvest. The sample meets the sensory requirements if the majority of tasters have judged it positively. If the opinion of the first tasting panel is divided evenly on a particular sample, the sample is submitted to a further panel. If opinion is divided evenly twice, the overall test result is negative.

Link to the product specification

https://www.bmlrt.gv.at/land/produktion-maerkte/pflanzliche-produktion/wein/Weinherkunft.html

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