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 72/15)

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

‘SOAVE SUPERIORE’

Reference number: PDO-IT-A0473-AM04

Date of communication: 2 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Formal amendment

Description and reasons

Description

Addition of the word ‘Garantita’ (Guaranteed) to ‘Denominazione di Origine Controllata’ (Controlled Designation of Origin).

Reason

Correction of a mistake in the previous version of Product Specification to correctly indicate the specific traditional term used in Italy to refer to grapevine products covered by PDOs.

2. Vine training systems

Description and reasons

The vine training systems have been extended to include the GDC system and all the varieties of trellis systems, the maximum number of buds per hectare has been specified and the reference to the Ministerial Decree of 11 July 2005 has been deleted, so that the paragraph:

‘For plantings made after the Ministerial Decree of 11 July 2005 came into force, only simple trellis systems can be used. For plantings which already existed on the date that this Product Specification came into force, the vines can be trained using the Veronese trellis system with traditional pruning to ensure inter-row openings.’

is to be replaced by the following paragraph:

‘The vines must be trained using an espalier or GDC system or any form of trellis that ensures openings within or between the rows and a maximum crop load of 50,000 buds per hectare for all vine training systems.’

Reasons

The reason for this amendment is to adapt the Product Specification to the development of more modern and innovative vine training systems (particularly the various new kinds of trellises) and the need for agronomic methods to take account of climate change.

This amendment concerns Article 4(3) of the Product Specification but it does not affect the Single Document.

3. Use of Additional Geographical Mentions on the labels of wine covered by the ‘Soave Superiore’ PDO

Description and reasons

Description

It is permitted to add to ‘Soave Superiore’ PDO wines Additional Geographical Mentions referring to smaller units in the production area for the designation, which are located within the same production area and included on a list, on the condition that the product is made separately and that this is specifically stated in the annual grape production report.

Reasons

The inclusion of references to smaller geographical units of particular interest located inside the demarcated production area and identified after careful zoning work has made it easier to trace where wine is from and thus reinforce its link with the territory.

This amendment concerns Article 7 of the Product Specification and section 1.9. (Further conditions) of the Single Document.

4. Information on vine training systems

Description and reasons

Description

Given that the vine training systems have been extended, the sentence:

‘It is therefore possible to take full advantage of historical vines trained using the classic Veronese trellis; in the case of new plantings the vine training system must necessarily be the espalier.’

is to be replaced as follows:

‘It is therefore possible to take full advantage of historical vines trained using the classic Veronese trellis, or as methods have evolved, those trained using the espalier or GDC systems.’

Reasons

This amendment follows the extension in the vine training systems provided in Article 4(3) of the Product Specification.

This amendment concerns Article 9 of the Product Specification but it does not affect the Single Document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Soave Superiore

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected designation of origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

‘Soave superiore’, also in ‘Riserva’ and ‘Classico’ versions

The wines are straw yellow in colour, sometimes intense with possible hints of green and hold; broad-ranging aromas, floral characteristics; full-flavoured with a slight hint of bitterness. When aged in wood, the taste can be less intense and long-lasting with vanilla notes.

Minimum total alcoholic strength: 12,00 % vol (12,50 % ABV for ‘Riserva’) Minimum sugar-free extract 19,0 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 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

NONE

b. Maximum yields

‘Soave superiore’; ‘Soave Superiore’ riserva; ‘Soave superiore’ classico

70 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

Grapes used to produce ‘Soave Superiore’ must be produced in the area which includes all or part of the territory of the municipalities of Soave, Monteforte d’Alpone, San Martino Buon Albergo, Mezzane di Sotto, Roncà, Montecchia di Crosara. San Giovanni Ilarione, Cazzano di Tramigna, Colognola ai Colli, Caldiero, Illasi and Lavagno in the province of Verona. For the production of ‘Soave Superiore’ termed ‘Classico’, the area is demarcated in Article 3(b) of the Product Specification. The boundaries of the IGT area are defined in detail in Article 3 of the Product Specification.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Chardonnay B.

Trebbiano di Soave B. - Trebbiano

Garganega B.

8. Description of the link(s)

Soave Superiore

The mineral substances contained in the basaltic soils in the area have a major influence on the fermentation processes of musts obtained from Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes, giving the wines their characteristic flavour. The traditional vine training systems based on the Veronese trellis enable optimal grape health and ripeness, which is essential for obtaining medium to high sugar content with good acidic balance, a hallmark of this product. ‘Soave Superiore’ is a premium wine and according to the Product Specification, it needs to age for a few months before it goes on the market as this improves its structure and how the aromas evolve.

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

Bottling within the area

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Bottling within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

In accordance with Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 607/2009, the bottling or packaging of wine covered by the ‘Soave Superiore’ controlled and guaranteed designation of origin must take place within the administrative territory of the province of Verona, as laid down in the Product Specification, with a view to safeguarding the quality and reputation, as well as guaranteeing its provenance and effective controls.

Use of Additional Geographical Mentions

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The following Additional Geographical Mentions can be used in naming and presenting ‘Soave Superiore’ and ‘Soave Superiore’ Classico wines:

1. Brognoligo

2. Broia

3. Ca’ del vento

4. Campagnola

5. Carbonare

6. Casarsa

7. Castelcerino

8. Castellaro

9. Colombara

10. Corte del Durlo

11. Costalta

12. Costalunga

13. Coste

14. Costeggiola

15. Croce

16. Duello

17. Fittà

18. Froscà

19. Foscarino

20. Menini

21. Monte di Colognola

22. Monte Grande

23. Paradiso

24. Pigno

25. Ponsara

26. Pressoni

27. Roncà - Monte Calvarina

28. Rugate

29. Sengialta

30. Tenda

31. Tremenalto

32. Volpare

33. Zoppega

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/14703

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