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 65/14)

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

COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Casa del Blanco’

PDO-ES-A0060-AM02

Date of communication: 16.11.2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Adjustment of the analytical parameters due to the addition of new varieties and young wines (Section 2.1 of the product specification and point 3 of the single document)

Description and reasons

The addition of two new varieties, Garnacha and Airén, and the production of young wines using these and other varieties, requires the analytical parameters to be redefined. Therefore, the analytical characteristics of the white and red wines must be adjusted for these new wines.

The geographical area of the Casa del Blanco PDO includes a parcel of Garnacha and a parcel of Airén. Young wines produced with these and other varieties maintain the characteristics and profile of the rest of the Casa del Blanco PDO wines, with high levels of lithium. In view of market demand, as consumers increasingly seek unique, fruity wines that are smooth on the palate and accentuate the flavour of the grape, we request an amendment to the product specification in order to add the analytical characteristics of the young wines made with these grape varieties.

Type of amendment: standard

By adjusting the analytical characteristics of the wines, the single wine category authorised in the product specification is retained, namely category 1 in Annex VII, Part II of Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 of 17 December. This amendment does not therefore modify, add to or delete any category. Hence, it does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

2. Adjustment of the terminology relating to the analytical parameters of the reducing sugar, according to the regulations in force (Section 2.1.1 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

The analytical parameter ‘reducing sugars’ has been changed to ‘total sugars expressed as glucose plus fructose’, in accordance with Article 20 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/34 of 17 October 2018, establishing the total sugars expressed in terms of fructose and glucose.

Type of amendment: standard

This amendment adapts the term used to describe the physical and chemical characteristics, but does not entail any change to the final product, which retains the characteristics and profile described in the link, these resulting from the interplay between environmental and human factors. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

3. Changes to the organoleptic characteristics (Section 2.2 of the product specification and point 3 of the single document)

Description and reasons

The implementation of the UNE-EN-ISO 17065 standard for the purposes of certification requires a change in the organoleptic description of the protected wines in order to link their characteristics to descriptors that can be assessed by a sensory panel meeting the criteria laid down in the UNE-EN-ISO 17025 standard.

Type of amendment: standard

This amendment adapts the organoleptic characteristics so that they can be better assessed in sensory analysis. It does not entail a change to the product, which retains the characteristics and profile described in the link, these resulting from the interplay between environmental and human factors. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

4. Definition of the organoleptic characteristics due to the addition of the wines from the new varieties and young wines (Section 2.2 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

The addition of two new varieties, Airén and Garnacha, and the production of young wines using these and other varieties, make it necessary to define the organoleptic characteristics of these wines.

The geographical area of the Casa del Blanco PDO includes a parcel of Garnacha and a parcel of Airén. Young wines produced with these and other varieties maintain the characteristics and profile of the rest of the Casa del Blanco PDO wines, with high levels of lithium. In view of market demand, as consumers increasingly seek unique, fruit-forward wines, we request an amendment to the product specification in order to add the analytical characteristics of the young wines made with these grape varieties.

Type of amendment: standard

By adding the organoleptic characteristics of these varieties, the sole category authorised in the product specification is retained, namely category 1 in Annex VII, Part II of Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 of 17 December. It is thus considered that this amendment does not modify, add to or delete any category of wine. It therefore does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

5. Adaptation of specific oenological practices applicable to white and red wines (Section 3 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

The addition of two new varieties, Garnacha and Airén and the introduction of a new method of producing young wines using these and other varieties, make it necessary to define the production method.

The nominal capacity of the packaging has been increased to 750 ml or more.

In the light of the circumstances described in the above sections, this section sets out the specific oenological practices for producing the new types of wine that have been added. To tailor the wines to current trends in terms of ageing, the wine must be aged in barrels with a capacity of 225 litres or more. In addition, since there is consumer demand for different sized packaging, the nominal capacity of the packaging has been increased to 750 ml or more.

Type of amendment: standard

This amendment does not alter the characteristics, profile or identity of the Casa del Blanco PDO wines. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

6. Review of the demarcated vineyard parcels within the geographical area (Section 4 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

The demand for wines produced from Airén grapes has grown mainly in foreign markets during the summer season. These markets seek wines with a more refreshing profile, a lighter nose and more of an aftertaste, making them less heavy than other more aromatic varieties. In the geographical area adjacent to the Casa del Blanco PDO there is a parcel with grapes of the Airén variety planted in 1945 and 1962. There is also a parcel with grapes of the Garnacha variety planted in 2006. Both parcels are adjacent to the vineyard parcels described in the product specification. Most of the Garnacha parcel is surrounded by the vineyard parcels already described in the product specification. For this reason, and due to the fact that they have the same characteristics as the demarcated geographical area in terms of climate, soil and orography (these parcels also have high levels of lithium), we are requesting an amendment to the product specification to include these parcels within the demarcated area.

Type of amendment: standard

The inclusion of these parcels does not imply a change to the link given that the natural and human factors are the same in both the extended area and the originally demarcated area. In addition, the wines produced maintain the characteristics and profile of the Casa del Blanco PDO wines. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

7. Addition of the Garnacha and Airén varieties (Section 6 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description of the reasons

Since the monovarietal white wine made from Airén grapes and the multivarietal red wine made with Garnacha grapes have been added to the description of the wines section in the product specification, these varieties are included in this paragraph.

Type of amendment: standard

Since this monovarietal white wine made from Airén grapes and the multivarietal red wine made with Garnacha grapes have been included in the description of the wines section, with the reason given in point 1, the Airén and Garnacha varieties have also been added. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

8. Updated legislative reference (Section 8 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

In paragraphs one and two of Section 8 of the product specification, the references to the repealed Regulations are replaced with the reference to the Regulations in force, and the traditional terms have been updated, as has been the use of the references regulated in Royal Decree 1363/2011 of 7 October which implements EU legislation on the labelling, presentation and identification of certain wine products, which have been added to paragraph three.

Type of amendment: standard

This amendment is an update to the legislation. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

9. Updated legislative reference (Section 9.2 of the product specification. The single document is not affected)

Description and reasons

In paragraphs three and nine of Section 9.2 of the product specification, the references to the repealed Regulations are replaced by the Regulations in force.

Type of amendment: standard

This amendment is an update to the legislation. It is thus considered that this amendment does not fall into either of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Casa del Blanco

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

Red wine

The concentration of lithium ions in these wines is up to 10 times higher than it is in wines from the surrounding area and there is a correlation between the parcels where more lithium was found and the wines containing a higher concentration of the metal.

The red wines are cherry or deep red and intense in colour and have a strong aroma. They are flavourful, fleshy and strong.

* The maximum total alcoholic strength shall be within the legal limits in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): 12,5 Minimum total acidity: 5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): 16,7 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre): 120

White wine

The white wines are clean and clear with white fruit aromas and a straw-yellow colour that is golden at the edges. They are fresh and pleasant with a well-balanced acidity. Long and well-balanced aftertaste.

* The maximum total alcoholic strength shall be within the legal limits in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume): Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume): 11,50 Minimum total acidity: 6 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre): 16 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre): 120

5. Wine-making practices

a. Specific oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

In white wines, the must obtained by crushing and pressing the destemmed harvest is settled at a temperature between 10 and 15 oC for a period not less than 18 hours. Controlled fermentation of the must then takes place at a temperature between 13 and 21 oC.

In red wines, each grape variety undergoes alcoholic fermentation individually with the skins for a period not less than 10 days at a temperature between 22 oC and 32 oC. Each variety is individually aged in French and American oak barrels, for a period not less than 12 months, after which the wines are blended and aged in the bottle for at least 12 months.

b. Maximum yields

7 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

52,5 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The estate is located in the municipality of Manzanares (Ciudad Real).

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

MERLOT

PETIT VERDOT

SYRAH

TEMPRANILLO – CENCIBEL

8. Description of the link(s)

The estate is located at an altitude of 1 080 m, it has a continental climate with very dry air and there is a significant difference in temperature from day to night during the ripening period. The clay-limestone soils are poor, stony and well-drained with a basic pH of around 8.

The wines are balanced with a good acidity and alcoholic strength that tends to be relatively high, producing fresher wines that are more suited to ageing. These wines improve with age and feature fresh fruit that is more acidic along with floral and mineral notes, resembling wines with a Continental rather than a Mediterranean style, with aromas of medium-high intensity; they are elegant, balanced and fresh.

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

NONE

Link to the product specification

http://pagina.jccm.es/agricul/paginas/comercial-industrial/consejos_new/pliegos/PC_Mod_Casa_del_Blanco_20200721_mp.pdf

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