Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the 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 248/08)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

’COTEŞTI’

PDO-RO-A1577-AM02

Date of communication: 6 April 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Amendment of wine and vine yields

Over recent years, due to the increase in average monthly temperatures, particularly in the months when the varieties planted in the demarcated area of the Cotești PDO reach maturity, against the backdrop of fluctuating-increasing rainfall, it has been possible to obtain harvests that are 15-25% greater without any loss of quality.

The new plantations were established as a result of conversion/restructuring projects and mainly involved the planting of native varieties Tămâioasa Românească, Busuioaca de Bohotin, Feteasca Regală, Feteasca Albă and Feteasca Neagră, as well as the international varieties Traminer roz, Riesling de Rhin, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of the varieties planted came from clonal selections for which the information on quantitative production was measured for less favourable areas (e.g. wine-growing zone B), though by planting them in a much more favourable climate they showed significantly greater production potential.

The adaptation of the clonal selection and the use of an appropriate rootstock structure has contributed to a significant increase in yields.

Extensive plantation conversion/restructuring projects have significantly altered the density and purity of plantations, i.e. densities have increased compared to the average density of previous plantations. The changes are due to oenological factors, resulting from new wine-making equipment and use of new technical solutions in the field of wine-making materials, helping to increase the quantity and quality of wines.

Chapter IV of the specification and points 5.1 and 5.2 of the single document are amended.

2. Amendment to the demarcated geographical area

The geographical area is amended to include the municipality of Slobozia Ciorăști with the villages of Jiliște, Slobozia Ciorăști and Armeni, located on the southern border of the Dumbrăveni, Popești and Urechești wine-growing centres, which are part of the Cotești PDO and close by, thus neighbouring the southern part of the demarcated area of the Cotești PDO.

The location of those municipalities outside of the sub-Carpathian arc means that they have similar soil and climate conditions (sufficient solar thermal resources and optimal rainfall, an average sunshine duration that ensures optimal ripening of grapes and concentration of sugars, light- and medium-textured soils that are suited to white wines, etc.). The vine plantations therefore have the necessary prerequisites for qualitative development similar to that in the neighbouring vineyards and wine centres. The municipality and its villages benefit from the conditions resulting from their location in the Râmna river basin.

The area needs to be extended to the municipalities of Jiliște, Slobozia Ciorăști and Armeni. Chapter II of the specification and point 6 of the single document are amended.

3. Addition of conditions for the production of rosé wine

The specification has been amended to include the conditions in which white and rosé wines can be obtained from the Pinot Gris and Traminer roz varieties depending on the producer’s technological choices.

Chapter II of the Production Specification and Point 5.1 of the Single Document are amended.

4. Introduction of new wine grape variety for cultivation

The specification of the Cotești PDO is amended to include the Syrah wine-making variety and organoleptic specifications. From that variety wine can be obtained with a taste of black forest fruits, spices, liquorice, black chocolate, pepper, with a high level of tannic acid. In the wine-making process it usually works very well as a stand-alone grape, but is often combined with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties.

Chapter III of the specification and section 7 of the single document are amended.

5. Derogation on the processing of wines in the neighbourhood of the geographical area

The specification is amended to include conditions for situations where, in certain climatic conditions which, in conjunction with the potential of certain varieties, have a positive impact on yields on plantations in the demarcated area, it is possible to process musts and/or wines which bear the Cotești PDO also outside the demarcated area, in the neighbouring area where the wine centres offer the best capacity. In the neighbouring area quick wine-making, wine-making at controlled temperature and fermentation at controlled temperature are ensured, which preserve the aromatic potential of certain varieties. The neighbouring area includes the following municipalities of Vrancea County: Panciu, Movilița, Odobești, Unirea, Jariștea and Bolotești.

Chapter V of the Production Specification and Section 9 of the Single Document are amended.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of product

Coteşti

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. Analytical and organoleptic characteristics of wines when released for consumption

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Fetească albă – fine wine, aromatically neutral; when fermented at low temperatures, it may develop certain fermentation aromas.

Fetească regală – lively and calming at the same time, with a delicate apple aroma, floral notes.

Galbenă de Odobești – delicate aroma, a wine with low alcoholic potential.

Tămâioasă românească – has aromatic richness in its first years, and an aroma of sweet roses; with ageing, it has an aroma of musk, raisins, honey and spices.

Șarbă – citrus, herbal notes, with liveliness, freshness, floral aromas of rose, basil.

Frâncușa – wines with moderate alcoholic strength and a neutral character.

Crâmpoșia – white-yellowish colour with greenish hues and a subtle aroma of fresh fruit.

Riesling – neutral taste.

Sauvignon – dry wines, with medium or high acidity, a marked freshness, herbal notes, or aromas of sweetish tropical fruit, often an aroma of vine flowers.

Chardonnay – different aromas, neutral, buttery, tropical; due to its acidity, it is a very good raw material for sparkling wine.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

15

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

9

Minimum total acidity:

3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

20

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

250

2. Analytical and organoleptic characteristics of wines when released for consumption

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Fetească neagră – austere character, winemaking to obtain semi-dry and semi-sweet wine emphasises the specific aroma of sun-dried plums, red-violet colour in young wines.

Băbească neagră – alcoholic potential of 10-11 % by volume.

Cabernet Sauvignon – suitable for maturation and ageing, aromatic with wild, woodsy notes, aromas of green bell pepper and blackcurrants.

Merlot – medium-bodied, dominant raspberry, plum and blackcurrant aromas, preferred variety for coupage mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pinot noir – as a young wine, it has notes of cherries, plums and strawberries (ripe, red fruit); as it matures, it has notes of raisins, hay, tobacco, leather, mushrooms and black pepper, and a transparent brownish-red colour.

Syrah – wine with a powerful taste reminiscent of black forest fruits, spices, liquorice, dark chocolate and pepper. Its density is above average, and it usually has a high tannin content, making it a perfect partner for spicy food, lamb and game. In the winemaking process, it usually works very well as a stand-alone grape, but is very often combined with other varieties, usually Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, resulting in an elegant wine with remarkable longevity.

It has a high sugar content, high alcohol content, a bright red colour, sometimes with purplish highlights, is intense, with complex aromas of pepper, black cherries, fresh forest fruits, a balanced acidity and velvety texture.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

15

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

9

Minimum total acidity:

3,5 in milliequivalents per litre

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

20

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

250

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Wine-making practices

Specific oenological practice

White and rosé wines can be obtained from the Pinot gris and Traminer roz varieties depending on the producer’s technological choices.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. Sauvignon, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Traminer aromat

14 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

2. Tămâioasă românească, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Traminer roz

14 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

3. Fetească albă, Riesling de Rhin, Băbească gri, Crâmpoșie selecționată, Șarba, Băbească neagră, Burgund mare, Cadarcă, Negru Aromat

15 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

4. Fetească regală, Riesling italian, Aligote, Frâncușă, Galbenă de Odobești, Mustoasă de Măderat, Plăvaie, Furmint

18 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

5. Syrah

21 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6. Fetească neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, Merlot

17 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

7. White wines, rosé wines

135 hectolitres per hectare

8. Red wines

130 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

Vrancea County:

— Municipalities: Vârteşcoiu, Câmpineanca, Pietroasa, Faraoanele, Râmniceanca, Beciu, Pietroasa, Olteni;

— Municipalities: Broşteni, Căpătanu, Pituluşa, Arva

— Municipalities: Cârligele, Dălhăuţi, Bonţeşti, Blidari;

— Municipalities: Coteşti, Budeşti, Valea Coteşti, Goleştii de Sus;

— Municipalities: Urecheşti, Popeşti, Tercheşti;

— Municipalities: Dumbrăveni, Dragosloveni, Cândeşti, Alexandru Vlahuţă, Dumbrăveni;

— Municipalities: Bordeşti, Bordeştii de Jos

— Municipalities: Tâmboeşti, Slimnic, Trestieni, Pietroasa, Pădureni, Obrejiţa

— Municipalities: Slobozia Bradului, Sihlea, Coroteni, Valea Beciului, Cornetu, Olăreni;

— Localitaţile: Slobozia Ciorăști, Jiliște, Armeni.

Buzau County:

— Municipalities: Grebănu, Zăplazi, Livada, Livada Mică, Plevna, Homești;

— Municipalities: Podgoria, Oraţia, Coţatcu, Tăbăcari

— Municipalities: Topliceni, Răduceşti

7. Main wine grape variety(-ies)

Aligoté B - Plant de trois, Plant gris, Vert blanc, Troyen blanc

Burgund Mare N - Grosser burgunder, Grossburgunder,Blaufrankisch, Kekfrankos, Frankovka, Limberger

Busuioacă de Bohotin Rs - Schwarzer Muscat, Muscat fioletovâi, Muscat violet cyperus, Tămâioasă violetă

Băbească gri G

Băbească neagră N - Grossmuttertraube, Hexentraube, Crăcana, Rară neagră, Căldăruşă, Serecsia

Cabernet Sauvignon N - Petit Vidure, Bourdeos tinto

Cadarcă N - Schwarzer Kadarka, Rubinroter Kadarka, Lugojană, Gâmză, Fekete budai

Chardonnay B - Gentil blanc, Pinot blanc Chardonnay

Crâmpoşie selecţionată B

Fetească albă B - Păsărească albă, Poama fetei, Mädchentraube, Leanyka, Leanka

Fetească neagră N - Schwarze Mädchentraube, Poama fetei neagră, Păsărească neagră, Coada rândunicii

Fetească regală B - Königliche Mädchentraube, Königsast, Kiralyleanka, Dănășană, Galbenă de Ardeal

Frâncuşă B - Vinoasă, Mildweisser, Mustoasă de Moldova, Poamă creaţă

Furmint B - Furmin, Şom szalai, Szegszolo

Galbenă de Odobeşti B - Galbenă de Căpătanu, Galbenă Uriaşă, Galbenă

Merlot N - Bigney rouge

Muscat Ottonel B - Muscat Ottonel blanc

Mustoasă de Măderat B - Lampau, Lampor, Mustafer, Mustos Feher, Straftraube

Negru Aromat N

Pinot Gris G - Affumé, Grauer Burgunder, Grauburgunder,Grauer Mönch, Pinot cendré,Pinot Grigio, Ruländer

Pinot Noir N - Blauer Spätburgunder, Burgund mic, Burgunder roter, Klăvner Morillon Noir

Riesling de Rhin B - Weisser Riesling, White Riesling

Riesling italian B - Olasz Riesling, Olaszriesling, Welschriesling

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon verde

Syrah N - Shiraz, Petit Syrah

Traminer Roz Rs - Rosetraminer, Savagnin roz, Gewürztraminer

Tămâioasă românească B - Rumanische Weihrauchtraube, Tamianka

Şarba B

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Details of the geographical area

The Cotești PDO area is located on the southern side of the Vrancea foothills to the east of the Carpathian and Sub-Carpathian Mountains, forming a continuation of the Panciu and Odobești vineyards, which are located to the north. Together, the three form the well-known ’Vrancea Vineyards’ or the ’Putna Vineyards’. It is arranged in rows running from north to south between the valleys of the Milcov and Râmna rivers. It overlays the biological, pedological and climate foothill transition zone between the ’Câmpia Română’ (the Romanian Plain) to the east (altitudes below 100 m) and the Sub-Carpathian arc to the west (Deleanu Hill, 698 m and Căpățânei Hill, 592 m) at an altitude of over 300 m

Rock type - Alternation of foothill sands and gravel of the Lower and Middle Pleistocene, covered by a mantle of clayish and sandy loess sediment. This continental Pleistocene deposit lies on top of the Pliocene marine clay, sand and marl sediments.

Relief - Wide, quasi-horizontal stretches between rivers, mainly exposed to sunshine on their southern and eastern sides, although the western slopes also benefit from sufficient sunshine and, as such, are suitable for the cultivation of vines, which explains the large proportion of vineyards.

Climate - The forest steppe found in this area specifically provides excellent conditions for the growth of high quality grape varieties, mainly due to rich solar warmth and a favourable rainfall regime. The abundant radiative flux and the average sunshine hours ensure optimal conditions for vine growth, grape ripening and sugar concentration in grapes.

8.2. Details of the product, causal interaction

The red wines are intensely coloured, medium-bodied, with dominant aromatic hints of raspberries, prunes, currants, cherries, strawberries, raisins, mushrooms and black pepper, with balanced acidity, velvety.

The white wines are fresh, usually with aromas of citrus or tropical fruits, floral aromas of rose, basil, with a fresh taste, optimal acidity, sometimes also the aroma of fresh green apples.

Due to the acidity of the soil the white wines have freshness and vinosity, with notes of fresh fruit.

The red wines are velvety with well-integrated tannins due to the specific forest-steppe climate with solar thermal resources. The average duration of sunshine ensures the optimal development of vines and concentration of sugar in the grapes.

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

Derogation on production

Legal framework:

In EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation on production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition

In certain climatic conditions which, in conjunction with the potential of certain varieties, have a positive impact on yields on plantations in the demarcated area, it is possible to process the musts and/or wines which bear the Cotești PDO also outside the demarcated area, in the neighbouring area where the wine centres offer the best capacity. The neighbouring area designated to this end for quick wine-making, wine-making at controlled temperature and fermentation at controlled temperature in order to preserve the aromatic potential of some varieties includes the following municipalities of Vrancea County: Panciu, Movilița, Odobești, Unirea, Jariștea and Bolotești.

At each stage of the production process and following assessment of the characteristics and qualities of the product obtained, the producer can reclassify the wine products into the product categories provided for in the legislation in force, in order to maintain compliance.

Link to the product specification

https://www.onvpv.ro/sites/default/files/caiet_sarcini_doc_cotesti_modificat_cf_cererilor_96_2017_1836_2017_si_1423_2019_no_track_changes_0.pdf

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