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 453/06)

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

‘Castilla’

PGI-ES-A0059-AM02

Date of communication: 20 August 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. The terminology used for the analytical parameters of residual sugar and volatile acidity has been brought into line with the legislation in force.

Description:

The ‘residual sugar’ analytical parameter has been renamed ‘total sugar expressed as glucose plus fructose’ in accordance with Article 20 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/34 of 17 October 2018, which provides for the determination of total sugars expressed in terms of fructose and glucose.

Note also that the volatile acidity will be expressed as acetic acid.

Section 2.1 of the product specification has been amended, but the single document is not affected.

This is a standard amendment as it adapts the terminology used for 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 natural and human factors. It is therefore considered that this amendment does not fall into any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

Reason:

To specify the terms for measuring the values of two analytical parameters of the wine: sugars and volatile acidity.

2. The regulatory references have been updated.

Description:

The regulatory references in Sections 3, 8 and 9.2 of the specification and 5.1 of the single document have been updated.

The amendment is standard as it is an update. It is therefore considered that this amendment does not fall into any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

Reason:

Obsolete regulatory references have been replaced by EU legislation currently in force.

3. Inclusion of new varieties

Description:

The following varieties have been included, white: Alarije, Albarín Blanco, Albariño, Albillo Dorado, Colombard, Garnacha Blanca, Montúa/Chelva, Palomino, Pardina/Jaén Blanco and Planta Nova/Tardana; and red: Garnacha Peluda, Marselan, Moribel, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Fragoso.

Section 6 of the product specification has been amended. The single document is not affected as they have been added as secondary varieties.

This is a standard amendment as the new varieties are used to produce the same types of wine with the protected designation, without entailing any substantial changes. The product retains the characteristics and profile described in the link, these resulting from the interplay between natural and human factors. It is therefore considered that this amendment does not fall into any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

Reason:

It has been necessary to include the new varieties in order to adapt the specification of the ‘Castilla’ PGI to the wine-growing potential of the production area, and to offer a wider range of wines to meet demand, both for traditional and more contemporary types.

The varieties are authorised in the production area and included in Annex XXI to Royal Decree 450/2020 of 10 March 2020, amending Royal Decree 1338/2018 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of 29 October 2018 on wine-growing potential.

Producers in the wine region cultivate the listed varieties on 3 644,15 ha of vineyards. The experience of using these varieties in the area has given very positive results in a range of different products which comply with the requirements of the specification for wines of the ‘Castilla’ PGI. Furthermore, there is demand for wines made from these varieties.

4. There is now an option to use the name of a smaller geographical unit on the label.

Description:

The smaller geographical unit ‘Campo de Calatrava’ has been included together with a description of the area that it covers.

Section 8 of the specification and Section 9 of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment as it adapts the specification to the legislation in force. It is therefore considered that this amendment does not fall into any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

Reason:

On 12 April 2011, the Official Journal of Castile-La Mancha published the Resolution of 31 March 2011 of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, defining and establishing rules for the use of the smaller geographical unit Campo de Calatrava for wines of the Protected Geographical Indication Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla, in accordance with Article 118z(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation).

With the publication of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 of 17 October 2018 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards applications for protection of designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional terms in the wine sector, the objection procedure, restrictions of use, amendments to product specifications, cancellation of protection, and labelling and presentation, and in compliance with Article 55(2), the demarcation of the area of the geographical unit in question has been included in the product specification and the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Castilla

2. Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected Geographical Indication

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

3. Liqueur wine

5. Quality sparkling wine

8. Semi-sparkling wine

16. Wine of overripe grapes

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. White and rosé wine, semi-sparkling wine and sparkling wine

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

The white and rosé wines are generally low in alcoholic strength. They are notable for their distinct aromatic intensity with fruity and floral notes.

The white wines are elegant and light with medium acidity. The rosé wines have great clarity and liveliness and are deep pink in colour with qualities of longevity. In the mouth they are delicate with great freshness and very reminiscent of fruit.

The semi-sparkling wines are fresher and more aromatic in character. The sparkling wines are known for their elegance and lightness.

* The maximum volatility increases with each year of age of the wine, up to a maximum of 18 milliequivalents per litre for wines more than 4 years old.

* Maximum sulphur content: 250 milligrams per litre where sugar content is more than 5 grams per litre (not in sparkling wines)

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

11

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

11

Minimum total acidity

4 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

10

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

180

2. Red wine, semi-sparkling wine and sparkling wine

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

The wines are aromatic, balanced and structured, with powerful tannins. The phenolic structure produces red wines that are intensely coloured, full-bodied and very complex.

The semi-sparkling wines are fresher and more aromatic in character. The sparkling wines are known for their elegance and lightness.

* The maximum volatility increases with each year of age of the wine, up to a maximum of 18 milliequivalents per litre for wines more than four years old.

* Maximum sulphur content: 200 milligrams per litre where sugar content is more than 5 grams per litre (not in sparkling wines)

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

12

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

12

Minimum total acidity

4 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

10

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

150

3. Liqueur wine

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Wines of greater subtlety with a high alcohol content.

* The maximum volatility increases with each year of age of the wine, up to a maximum of 18 milliequivalents per litre for wines more than four years old.

* Maximum sulphur content: 200 milligrams per litre where sugar content is more than 5 grams per litre (not in sparkling wines)

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

17,5

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

15

Minimum total acidity

4 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

10

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

150

4. Wine of overripe grapes

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

The production area’s unique climate is characterised by high levels of sunlight and warm temperatures in autumn, and plentiful sunshine as the grapes ripen, together with relatively low humidity levels and low rainfall. These conditions facilitate over-ripening of the grapes, producing wines with a higher residual sugar content and pronounced aromatic intensity.

* The maximum volatility increases with each year of age of the wine, up to a maximum of 18 milliequivalents per litre for wines more than four years old.

* Sulphur dioxide levels are the same as for the white, red and rosé wines.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

15

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

12

Minimum total acidity

4 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

10

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

—

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

Natural or legal persons, or associations of natural or legal persons, possessing wines originating from Castile-La Mancha, for professional reasons or commercial purposes, may use the words ‘Vino de la Tierra de Castilla’ as part of the name of those wines. This is on condition that the grapes used to make such wines originate exclusively from the geographical area and are of the varieties stated in the product specification, and that they comply with the requirements of the product specification.

The liqueur wines and sparkling wines must all be brought into compliance with the relevant paragraphs of Part II of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. Gobelet- and head-trained vines 10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare 70 hectolitres per hectare

2. Trellised vines 16 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare 112 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

Covers the parcels and sub-parcels located within the municipalities of the territory of Castile-La Mancha.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

AIRÉN

BOBAL

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

GARNACHA TINTA

GARNACHA TINTORERA

MACABEO - VIURA

SYRAH

TEMPRANILLO - CENCIBEL

VERDEJO

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Wine

The dry climate and plentiful sunshine, over 3 500 hours per year, enable the grapes to ripen as required. The result is wines with a powerful expression of aromatic intensity, with fruity and floral notes. The soil characteristics allow production of white wines that are elegant and light, and rosé wines of great clarity and liveliness, deep pink in colour with qualities of longevity. The red wines are aromatic, balanced, structured and have powerful tannins, between 11 and 14 degrees, even higher in some years, and a phenolic structure giving the red wines their intense colour, full body and great complexity.

8.2. Liqueur wine

In the geographical area, the upper soil horizons have a high limestone content. This produces wines of greater subtlety with a high alcohol content.

8.3. Quality sparkling wine

The climate is characterised by cool nights, autumn sunshine, moderate temperatures and low rainfall, which produce light, aromatic and drinkable sparkling wines.

8.4. Semi-sparkling wine

The soils are low in organic content and rich in limestone. These characteristics produce semi-sparkling wines with intense aromas, generous, balanced and with a fruity aftertaste.

8.5. Wine of overripe grapes

The production area’s unique climate is characterised by high levels of sunlight and warm temperatures in autumn, relatively low humidity levels, plentiful sunshine as the grapes ripen and low rainfall. These conditions facilitate over-ripening of the grapes, producing wines with a higher residual sugar content, with pronounced aromatic intensity and hints of dried fruit.

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

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

— Labels must clearly state the name or corporate name of any of the natural or legal persons, or association of persons, legally based in Castile-La Mancha that are involved in distributing the protected wine. The name of the municipality in which the head office is located must also appear, together with the relevant province.

— The image of the outline of the territory of Castile-La Mancha must appear on the back label.

— Labelling can include the geographical unit Campo de Calatrava, as a smaller geographical unit within the ‘Castilla’ PGI defined area, on condition that 100 % of the grapes from which the wine was produced come from the following municipalities in the province of Ciudad Real: Aldea del Rey, Almagro, Argamasilla de Calatrava, Ballesteros de Calatrava, Bolaños de Calatrava, Calzada de Calatrava, Cañada de Calatrava, Carrión de Calatrava, Granátula de Calatrava, Miguelturra, Moral de Calatrava, Pozuelo de Calatrava, Torralba de Calatrava, Valenzuela de Calatrava, Villanueva de San Carlos and Villar del Pozo.

Link to the product specification

http://pagina.jccm.es/agricul/paginas/comercial-industrial/consejos_new/pliegos/Mod_Pliego_IGP_CASTILLA_CCC_20210412.pdf

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