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

(2020/C 108/06)

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

‘Debrői Hárslevelű’

Reference number PDO-HU-A1373-AM02

Date of communication: 18 December 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Creation of the late-harvest wine type

a) Product specification headings affected: II. Description of the wines III. Specific oenological practices IV. Demarcated area V. Maximum yield VII. Link with the geographical area VIII. Further conditions

b) Increasingly, the characteristics of the Debrő region and the influence of changing climate conditions are producing higher-quality grapes of the Hárslevelű variety that can be left on the vine for longer and are suited to the production of late-harvest wine. With these late harvests, shrivelling, or the occurrence of raisined grapes through Botrytis, has been increasingly common in the demarcated area for years now.

2. Change in minimum sugar content of the grape

a) Product specification headings affected: III. Specific oenological practices

b) The purpose of the modification is to give wines produced from aromatic grape varieties a fresh, aromatic character. With the current minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume set at 10,60 % (17° Hungarian must grade), this is not possible to achieve in all vintages, since the grapes have to be able to retain their aroma and acids, which in warmer vintages can only be achieved by harvesting them earlier.

3. Marking the lot numbers for the demarcated area on a map

a) Product specification headings affected: IV. Demarcated area

b) Lot numbers can change over the years, so using specific lot numbers in the specification is no guarantee that they will be clearly demarcated. The areas demarcated by the lot numbers should therefore be clearly marked on a map annexed to the specification.

4. Aligning the slope names with the map annexed to the specification

a) Product specification headings affected: VIII. Further conditions

b) The map annexed to the specification is being updated at the same time as the amendment, so the slope (‘dűlő’) names in the specification also need to be updated and corrected. There is no ‘Pallag-fő dűlő’ in Tarnaszentmária, while in Verpelét ‘Vadas-dűlő’ forms part of ‘Kerékkötő dűlő’ and is not marked separately, so these slope names should be deleted.

5. Amendments of a technical nature

a) Product specification headings affected: III. Specific oenological practices VI. Permitted grape varieties VIII. Further conditions

b) Corrections required under the current name are to the wording of the specification, the use of upper and lower case, placing variety names in alphabetical order, and changing the name of the wine authority.

6. Prohibition on the sweetening of classic and superior wines, except for sweetening using must and must concentrate produced from ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ quality grapes

The removal of sweetening using refined must concentrate strengthens the character of ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ wines by leaving only prominent primary fruit aromas derived from the grape berries in the must originating from the ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ demarcated area. This allows ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ wines to be held in higher regard and improves their market position. The measure helps strengthen cooperation between vine and wine producers in the sector in the demarcated area.

7. Correction of a technical nature to the classic wine type in the case of mechanical harvest

For the classic wine type, the yield for mechanical harvest needs to be aligned in quantitative terms with that for manual harvest.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Debrői Hárslevelű

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

classicus [classic]

Blended wine based on the Hárslevelű variety. Dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet or sweet white wine with the aromas and flavours of fresh fruit, apricot and lime tree blossom, and with rich honey flavours.

* maximum total alcoholic strength and maximum total sulphur dioxide in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11,0 Minimum total acidity 4,6 g/l expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 18 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

superior

Blended wine based on the Hárslevelű variety. Rich, full-bodied, mature and aged dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet or sweet white wine with the aromas and flavours of lime tree blossom, ripened fruit, and honey.

* maximum total alcoholic strength and maximum total sulphur dioxide in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11,0 Minimum total acidity 4,6 g/l expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 18 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

késői szüretelésű [late-harvest]

Blended wine based on the Hárslevelű variety. Rich, full-bodied, mature and aged white wine with the aromas and flavours of lime tree blossom, ripened fruit, and honey. The aromas and flavours of aged (raisined) grapes predominate, with the possible appearance of ‘botrytised’ aromas formed by noble rot.

* maximum total alcoholic strength and maximum total sulphur dioxide in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 9,0 Minimum total acidity 4,6 g/l expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 18 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

wine-making – classicus [classic]

Relevant restriction on making the wines

Mandatory oenological practices:

— the grapes must be processed on the day on which they are harvested;

— pressing may be carried out only in batch presses;

— the must has to be purified;

— the wine must contain wine of the Hárslevelű variety to at least 85 %.

Oenological practices not permitted:

— sweetening of the wine using refined must concentrate, or using must or must concentrate from outside the demarcated production area

wine-making – superior

Relevant restriction on making the wines

Mandatory oenological practices:

— the grapes must be processed on the day on which they are harvested;

— pressing may be carried out only in batch presses;

— the wine must contain wine of the Hárslevelű variety to at least 85 %.

— cannot be placed on the market any earlier than 1 May of the year following the harvest.

Oenological practices not permitted:

— sweetening of the wine using refined must concentrate, or using must or must concentrate from outside the demarcated production area

wine-making – késői szüretelésű [late-harvest]

Relevant restriction on making the wines

Mandatory oenological practices:

— the grapes must be processed on the day on which they are harvested;

— pressing may be carried out only in batch presses;

— the wine must contain wine of the Hárslevelű variety to at least 85 %.

Oenological practices not permitted:

— sweetening of wine;

— use of oak chips;

— reverse osmosis;

— partial dealcoholisation of the wine.

vine cultivation – cultivation method

Cultivation practice

1. Rules on training the vine: a. For vineyards already in existence on 1 August 2010: Grapes suited to the production of classic, superior and late-harvest wines of protected origin can be harvested from any vineyard regardless of cultivation method, as long as the vineyard lasts. b. For vineyards planted after 1 August 2010: Guyot, medium-high cordon, low cordon, umbrella, fan, head and gobelet training vine cultivation - spacing Cultivation practice

2. Rules on vine density in the vineyard a. For vineyards already in existence on 1 August 2010: Grapes suited to the production of classic, superior and late-harvest wines of protected origin can be harvested from any vineyard regardless of spacing, as long as the vineyard lasts. b. In the case of vineyards planed after 1 August 2010 (classic and late-harvest wines): i. vine density of at least 3 700 vines/ha; ii. distance between vines of at least 0,8 m. c. For vineyards planted after 1 August 2010 (superior wines): i. vine density: at least 4 000 vines/ha; ii. distance between vines of at least 0,8 m. vine cultivation - bud load and vine loss Cultivation practice

3. Bud load: max. 6 bright buds/m 2

4. Vine loss: in the case of existing vineyards, vine loss cannot exceed 10 % of the number of vines at the time of plantation, regardless of spacing and cultivation method. vine cultivation – harvest and grape quality Cultivation practice

5. Method of harvest: mechanical or manual

6. Setting the date of the harvest: the maturity of the grape varieties grown is determined by the competent wine community magistrate, which it uses to determine the initial date of the harvest of a particular variety.

7. Grape quality (minimum sugar content expressed as potential alcoholic strength): a. classicus [classic] i. 9,83 % by volume (16 Hungarian must grade): Cserszegi fűszeres, Irsai Olivér, Ottonel muskotály, Sárga muskotály ii. 10,60 % by volume (17 Hungarian must grade): Chardonnay, Hárslevelű, Királyleányka, Leányka, Olasz rizling, Pinot blanc, Rajnai rizling, Sauvignon, Szürkebarát, Tramini, Zenit b. superior: For all grape varieties: 12,83 % by volume (20 Hungarian must grade) c. késői szüretelésű [late-harvest] For all grape varieties: 12,83 % by volume (20 Hungarian must grade)

b. Maximum yields

classicus [classic]

100 hl/ha

classic [classicus] – mechanical harvest

13 100 kg of grapes per hectare

superior

60 hl/ha

superior – manual harvest

9 000 kg of grapes per hectare

superior – mechanical harvest

8 400 kg of grapes per hectare

késői szüretelésű [late-harvest]

66 hl/ha

késői szüretelésű [late-harvest] – manual harvest

10 000 kg of grapes per hectare

késői szüretelésű [late-harvest] – mechanical harvest

9 400 kg of grapes per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

Areas of the municipalities of Aldebrő, Feldebrő, Tarnaszentmária, Tófalu and Verpelét that are classified as Class I and II according to the vineyard cadastre, except for the areas marked on the map attached to the specification.

7. Main grape varieties

sauvignon - sauvignon bianco

leányka - mädchentraube

királyleányka - dánosi leányka

irsai olivér - irsai

hárslevelű - lindeblättrige

tramini - roter traminer

rajnai rizling - rhine riesling

rajnai rizling - riesling

rajnai rizling - johannisberger

rajnai rizling - riesling blanc

rajnai rizling - weisser riesling

irsai olivér - zolotis

pinot blanc - fehér burgundi

ottonel muskotály - muscat ottonel

királyleányka - erdei sárga

irsai olivér - muskat olivér

hárslevelű - feuilles de tilleul

hárslevelű - lipovina

chardonnay - kereklevelű

tramini - savagnin rose

tramini - tramin cervené

szürkebarát - graumönch

szürkebarát - grauburgunder

szürkebarát - pinot grigio

szürkebarát - auvergans gris

szürkebarát - ruländer

sauvignon - sauvignon bijeli

sauvignon - sovinjon

sárga muskotály - weisser

sárga muskotály - muscat sylvaner

sárga muskotály - weiler

sárga muskotály - moscato bianco

sárga muskotály - muscat zlty

sárga muskotály - muskat weisser

sárga muskotály - muscat bélüj

sárga muskotály - muscat de frontignan

sárga muskotály - muscat blanc

sárga muskotály - muscat de lunel

tramini - traminer

tramini - traminer rosso

pinot blanc - pinot bianco

pinot blanc - weissburgunder

ottonel muskotály - muskat ottonel

olasz rizling - nemes rizling

olasz rizling - risling vlassky

olasz rizling - riesling italien

olasz rizling - grasevina

olasz rizling - taljanska grasevina

leányka - feteasca alba

leányka - dievcenske hrozno

olasz rizling - welschrieslig

chardonnay - chardonnay blanc

chardonnay - morillon blanc

chardonnay - ronci bilé

cserszegi fűszeres

hárslevelű - garszleveljü

irsai olivér - zolotisztüj rannüj

királyleányka - feteasca regale

királyleányka - galbena de ardeal

királyleányka - königliche mädchentraube

királyleányka - königstochter

királyleányka - little princess

leányka - leányszőlő

ottonel muskotály - miszket otonel

pinot blanc - pinot beluj

rajnai rizling - rheinriesling

sauvignon - sauvignon blanc

szürkebarát - pinot gris

sárga muskotály - muscat lunel

tramini - gewürtztraminer

zenit

8. Description of the link(s)

Description of the demarcated area

a) Natural and cultural factors The demarcated area for ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ is located at the junction of the Mátra mountains, the Bükk mountains and the Great Plain, at an altitude of between 170 and 220 metres. Viticulture on the typically south and south-west-facing hills has been significant since the beginning of the 15th century. The soil of production areas on the edge of the municipalities of Verpelét, Feldebrő, Aldebrő and Tófalu is humic alluvial sand left over after the sea had retreated, and several types of brown earth (ramman, chernozem, clay) formed in the andesite base rock. With a couple of exceptions, vineyards are located on plateaus and on their slight, south and south-west-facing, downward slopes. The suitability of the soil to the plantation of vineyards is enhanced further by the favourable topographic conditions of the edge of the production area, the protection provided by the Mátra mountains, and the balancing effect of the climate of the Tarna Valley. The hills and mountains surrounding the Eger and Debrő production area are particularly well‐suited to viticulture. The plantation of other, especially arable, crops, was mostly unprofitable in the past and remains so to this day. The typical meteorological data for the wine region over a 47-year average are as follows: mean annual temperature: 10,65 °C; mean annual precipitation: 592,6 mm; mean annual number of sunshine hours: 1 964. Data on the quality or properties of the product derived mainly or exclusively from the geographical environment

b) Human factors The first production of the ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ wine variety is linked to Pál Rácz, the cellar master of Kompolt. His descriptions reveal that from the very beginning, the wine was a blend based on the Hárslevelű variety. The other varieties were needed above all to balance vintage differences.

Description of the wines

The demarcated area suited to the production of ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ gives aromas to the ‘Debrői Hárslevelű’ wines, which are rich in flowery odours and fruits. These wines are also characterised by a fuller, richer and longer-lasting taste than other well-known Hárslevelű varieties.

As a result of the vicinity of the northern boundary of viticulture and wine production and the presence of mountain-valley winds, these wines have quasi‐acidity and long-lasting tastes.

Demonstration of the causal link

The general climate conditions of the demarcated area are mainly influenced by the vicinity of the Mátra mountains. These provide protection from winter frosts, and the cool nights brought about by the ‘mountain wind’ after warm summer and autumn days ensure the grapes retain a refined and elegant acidity and their primary fruity aromas. The soils of the Debrő region have a good water balance, and, due to the average annual precipitation of 600 mm, grapes develop in a balanced, stress‐free manner. As a result, no immature acidity due to water deficiency forms in these wines.

Increasingly, the characteristics of the Debrő region and the influence of changing climate conditions are producing higher-quality grapes of the Hárslevelű variety that can be left on the vine for longer and are suited to the production of late-harvest wine. With these late harvests, shrivelling, or the occurrence of raisined grapes through Botrytis, has been increasingly common in the demarcated area for years now.

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

Rules on indications

Legal framework:

In EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

a) The traditional expression ‘wine of protected origin’ can be used to replace the expression ‘protected designation of origin’, in the form of ‘classic wine of protected origin’, ‘superior wine of protected origin’ or ‘late-harvest wine of protected origin’.

b) Variety names, traditional expressions, other restricted expressions, or expressions referring to the colour of the wine can be indicated only if such expressions do not stand out more than the designation of origin in terms of their font type, font size or font colour.

c) In the case of superior wines, the expression ‘Superior’ is added to the wine name (*1), which must be indicated on the label after the designation of origin, using the same typography. In the case of wines the label of which includes a slope name as the name of a smaller geographical unit, the expression ‘Superior’ in the wine name* is replaced by an indication of this unit.

d) In the case of late-harvest wines, the expression ‘Late-harvest’ is added to the wine name*, which must be indicated on the label after the designation of origin, using the same typography.

e) Traditional expressions and restricted expressions permitted for use: i) traditional expressions: in accordance with Section 55 of Decree No 127/2009 of 29 September 2009 of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development; ii) restricted expressions: in accordance with Annex 15 to Decree No 127/2009 of 29 September 2009 of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Rules on indications (2)

Legal framework:

In EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

f) Smaller geographical units that may be indicated and the rules for indicating them: i) Municipalities: — Names of municipalities that may be indicated: Verpelét, Feldebrő, Aldebrő, Tófalu — Identity of origin at least 85 % ii) Slope names — Slope names may be indicated only on the labels of superior and late-harvest wines. Identity of origin: 100 % — slope names that may be indicated: (a) Aldebrő: Káli-völgy, Poharas-dűlő, Sík-hegy, Szent Donát-dűlő, Uraké (b) Feldebrő: Alberki, Bogár-hát, Csepegő, Csonkás, Egri út, Szőlők háta (c) Tarnaszentmária: Dobi-oldal, Dobi-tető, (d) Tófalu: Bogár-hát, Petes-alja (e) Verpelét: Ácsok, Fekete-oldal, Hagyóka, Hosszúi-dűlő, Kecske-hát, Kerékkötő, Keresztfai-dűlő, Királyi-dűlő, Kis-hegy, Kő-hegy, Majka, Mátra alja-dűlő, Pallagfő, Szent János-dűlő, Tilalmas, Tölgyes-szél, Túró-mező,, Varjas, Veresi-dűlő iii) Connection between smaller geographical units and trademarks: in the case of wine products designated using registered trademarks consisting partially or wholly of the name of a smaller geographical unit, or of a reference to a geographical area of the country, or using trademarks established through use before 11 May 2002, the rules pertaining to the origin of grapes used for the production of wines do not apply.

Production outside the demarcated production area

Legal framework:

By an organisation which manages the PDO/PGI, where foreseen by Member States

Type of further condition:

Derogation on production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Within the administrative boundaries of the municipalities of Andornaktálya, Demjén, Eger, Egerbakta, Egerszalók, Egerszólát, Felsőtárkány, Kerecsend, Kompolt, Maklár, Nagytálya, Noszvaj, Novaj, Ostoros and Szomolya.

Link to the product specification

https://boraszat.kormany.hu/debroi-harslevelu

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

(*1) the wine name in respect of this part consists of the following: the designation of origin, and elements regulated in the product specification that are as prominent on the label as the designation of origin due to their typography.