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 295/12)

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

‘Niederösterreich’

Reference number: PDO-AT-A0221-AM01

Date of communication: 21.2.2020

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

Description and reasons

As the vineyard register is now managed under the integrated administration and control system, the maximum yield per hectare must be adjusted.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Niederösterreich

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

5. Quality sparkling wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The ‘Niederösterreich’ designation of origin may be used for wine and quality sparkling wine/Sekt. ‘Niederösterreich’ is mainly produced as ‘Qualitätswein’, in which case the juice of the grapes must have a minimum must weight of 15° Klosterneuburger Mostwaage (= 9,5 % vol.). The minimum actual alcoholic strength must be 9 % vol. and the minimum acidity must be 4 g/l. Further analytical characteristics are set out in the product specification.

‘Niederösterreich’ is also produced with other distinctions (e.g. ‘Kabinett’, ‘Spätlese’, ‘Eiswein’). The different soil types mean a wide range of wines can be produced, from peppery, fresh Grüner Veltliner that is typical of the region to powerful, rich white wines aged in wooden casks and fruity red wines.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Essential oenological practices

Relevant restrictions on making the wines

All the oenological practices authorised for wine with a protected designation of origin under Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935 are permitted for the ‘Niederösterreich’ designation of origin, except for treatment with potassium sorbate and with dimethyl dicarbonate. Deacidification of the wines is possible in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935. The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism decides on possible acidification depending on the climate conditions during the growing season. The conditions for possible acidification are in this case governed by Regulations (EU) 2019/934 and (EU) 2019/935.

The specific oenological practices (including enrichment) are derived from the selected traditional production method and described in the product specification.

b. Maximum yields

10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The demarcated geographical area of the ‘Niederösterreich’ designation of origin comprises the entire province of Lower Austria in Austria.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Zweigelt – Rotburger

Grüner Veltliner – Weißgipfler

Zweigelt – Blauer Zweigelt

8. Description of the link(s)

In the eastern part of the neighbouring Kremstal, the steep bedrock slopes of the Wachau transition into loess terraces, which are also found in the Traisental, in the Kamptal and on the Wagram. Volcanic soils can also be found in the Kamptal. The weather is influenced by the hot Pannonian climate in the east and by cool currents from the Waldviertel.

The production structure in the wine region of Lower Austria is characterised by family-run winegrowing businesses which mainly process grapes from their own production and, in many cases, also sell directly from their farms. There is a strong link between the high level of tourism and the wine industry. A small number of large undertakings (wineries and winemaking cooperatives) supplement the family-run holdings. Almost 80 % of the wine produced in the winegrowing region of Lower Austria is white wine. Red wine is also produced, mainly in the part of Lower Austria influenced by the Pannonian climate, to the south and east of Vienna. Fruity Zweigelt and spicy Blaufränkisch wines predominate. The white wines range from fresh, fruity wines, such as the characteristically peppery Grüner Veltliner, to powerful, rich wines aged in traditional wooden barrels/barriques. The weathered bedrock soils and volcanic soils produce minerally, spicy wines, while the loess deposits on the terraces give rise to a round, more full-bodied type of wine. The hot Pannonian climate, and the cool air from the Waldviertel, which makes for cool nights, cause a difference in temperature between day and night, which gives the wines a strong acid structure.

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

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Under the Austrian Wine Act, a wine with the ‘Niederösterreich’ designation of origin may only be marketed if it has an official quality check number [Staatliche Prüfnummer]. This rule does not apply to ‘Sekt’ or ‘Qualitätsschaumwein’. In order to obtain a quality check number, a sample of each wine to be marketed with the ‘Niederösterreich’ designation of origin (systematic check) must be subjected to analytical and organoleptic tests. In the sensory test, the wines are tested by an official tasting panel. An official tasting panel consists of six tasters and a tasting panel chairperson. The samples are placed before the tasters anonymously. The test form includes only the information required for the evaluation, such the traditional designation (‘Qualitätswein’, ‘Spätlese’, etc.), the variety and the year. The tasters use their experience and set benchmark wines to judge whether the wines presented to them are typical in terms of variety, year and traditional designation and are marketable (free from imperfections). The tasting question is answered yes or no. If the judgment is negative, the reasons for the rejection must be given in writing. The sample meets the sensory requirements if the majority of tasters have judged it positively. If the opinion of the first tasting panel is divided evenly on a particular sample, the sample is submitted to a further panel. If opinion is divided evenly twice, the overall test result is negative.

Link to the product specification

https://www.bmlrt.gv.at/land/produktion-maerkte/pflanzliche-produktion/wein/Weinherkunft.html

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