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

(2019/C 306/04)

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

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Terre Tollesi’/‘Tullum’

Reference number: PDO-IT-A0742-AM03

Date of communication: 20.6.2019

DESCRIPTION AND REASONS OF THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Change in traditional term from ‘DOC’ to ‘DOCG’

Description and reasons

We are applying for an amendment to the product specification for ‘Terre Tollesi’/‘Tullum’ in order to change the term used (as per Article 112(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013) from denominazione di origine controllata (‘controlled designation of origin’ or DOC) to denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (‘controlled and guaranteed designation of origin’ or DOCG).

Businesses operating in the demarcated area need to be able to use a higher category for the wines made from grapes grown in their vineyards that represent their highest quality of product. The new term could help to improve the reputation of these wines and increase market recognition.

This amendment affects:

— All mentions of ‘DOC’ in the product specification, to be replaced by ‘DOCG’;

— Paragraph (a) of the Traditional terms section of the single document.

2. Elimination of largely unrepresentative product types

Description and reasons

Most of the product types currently listed in the specification are to be removed, leaving only those that really represent the essence and uniqueness of the wines proposed for DOCG status. It is the winemakers' opinion that only the red wines based on Montepulciano grapes (Rosso and Rosso Riserva types) and the white wines based on Pecorino and Passerina grapes are capable of embodying and fully conveying the distinguishing features of the Tollo area.

This selection is soundly corroborated and confirmed by terroir zoning studies conducted in recent years, which show it to be a valid selection and highlight the need to focus only on certain native varieties for which the local environment is ideal for producing extraordinarily good grapes.

This amendment affects:

— Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the product specification (deletion of references to product types);

— The Description of the wine(s), Maximum yields and Link sections of the single document.

3. Changes concerning the combination of grape varieties

Description and reasons

The selection of Montepulciano as the predominant variety used to make the ‘Terre Tollesi’/‘Tullum’ red wines proposed for DOCG status is consolidated and reinforced (at least 95 % compared to 90 %), while 90 % is consolidated as the minimum percentage for white wines from the native varieties Pecorino and Passerina. Any other grape varieties of the same colour, grown on the same holding and suitable for cultivation in the Abruzzo region can, either individually or in a blend, be used to make up the remaining 5 % (red wine) or 10 % (white wine).

As only certain wine types are to be carried over to and recognised in the product specification for the proposed DOCG, all the other variety combinations described for wine type that have been removed and thus are no longer included in the specification will be deleted.

This amendment affects:

— Article 2 of the product specification;

— The Main grape varieties section of the single document.

4. Rules on wine-growing

Description and reasons

It is proposed that new and replanted vineyards (existing vineyards are not affected) should have at least 1 600 vines per hectare for vines trained using the Abruzzo-style pergola trellis and 4 000 vines per hectare for vines planted in rows, replacing the 3 300 vines per hectare required under the current product specification. This requested change stems from the wine-growers' need to better manage the planting of new vines and also reflects the findings of terroir zoning studies carried out in the area.

The maximum grape yield per hectare and minimum alcoholic strengths are deleted for all product types no longer covered by the proposed DOCG.

This amendment affects:

— Article 4 of the product specification;

— The Maximum yields section of the single document.

5. Rules on wine-making

Description and reasons

All references to the product types not covered by the proposed DOCG are to be deleted. We also propose that the term ‘wooden barrels’ be replaced by ‘wooden containers or recipients’ to avoid any ambiguity, particularly regarding the capacity of said containers.

This amendment affects:

— Article 5 of the product specification;

6. Designation and presentation

Description and reasons

For the product types included in the proposal for a DOCG (Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Pecorino, Passerina and Spumante), the organoleptic descriptions, which provide an accurate account of the wines' distinguishing features, are to remain in place. All descriptions referring to types to be removed from the proposed specification are to be deleted.

In order to increase product quality, we propose that the total acidity of the Rosso type be increased from 4,50 g/l to 5,00 g/l and that the minimum sugar-free extract be raised from 26 to 28 g/l for Rosso and from 28 to 30 g/l for Rosso Riserva. The wines always easily exceed these requirements, which is indicative of the outstanding work that is put into growing the grapes and then making the wines.

This amendment affects:

— Article 6 of the product specification;

— The Description of the wine(s) section of the single document.

7. Packaging

Description and reasons

We propose that the 0,2-litre format be removed as it is deemed inappropriate for this designation.

The specification should now also state that all types of closure permitted by law may be used, with the exception of crown corks or glass stoppers. This has no effect on the requirement to use only glass containers.

This amendment affects:

— Article 8 of the product specification;

8. Link with the geographical area

Description and reasons

Minor changes are to be made to the description of the combination of grape varieties and the wine types included in the proposed specification to bring these descriptions into line with the new proposal.

This amendment affects:

— Article 9 of the product specification;

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of product

‘Terre Tollesi’

‘Tullum’

2. Geographical indication type

PDO — Protected designation of origin

3. Categories of grapevine products

1. Wine

4. Sparkling wine

5. Quality sparkling wine

15. Wine from raisined grapes

4. Description of the wine(s)

‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso/‘Tullum’Rosso and ‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso Riserva/‘Tullum’Rosso Riserva

Colour: ruby red with slight purplish hints, shifting towards garnet with ageing

Bouquet: vinous, delicate, intense, distinctive

Taste: clean, full, harmonious, slightly tannic, velvety

Minimum total alcoholic strength: 13 % ABV (13,5 % ABV for Rosso Riserva)

Minimum sugar-free extract: 26 g/l (28 g/l for Rosso Riserva)

Wherever the value is left blank in the table below, the wines 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 5 g expressed as grams of tartaric acid per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

‘Terre Tollesi’Pecorino/‘Tullum’Pecorino

Colour: straw yellow of varying intensity

Bouquet: fruity, elegant, distinctive

Taste: dry, fresh, flavourful, harmonious

Minimum total alcoholic strength: 13 % ABV

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18 g/l

Wherever the value is left blank in the table below, the wines 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 5 g expressed as grams of tartaric acid per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

‘Terre Tollesi’Passerina/‘Tullum’Passerina

Colour: pale straw yellow

Bouquet: fruity, delicate, distinctive

Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious

Minimum total alcoholic strength: 12,5 % ABV

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18 g/l

Wherever the value is left blank in the table below, the wines 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 5 g expressed as grams of tartaric acid per litre Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

‘Terre Tollesi’Spumante/‘Tullum’Spumante

Colour: straw yellow

Bouquet: distinctive, pleasant

Taste: from brut nature to doux, fresh, harmonious, pleasant, distinctive

Minimum total alcoholic strength: 12 % ABV

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18 g/l

Wherever the value is left blank in the table below, the wines 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 5 g expressed as grams of tartaric acid per litre 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

‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso/‘Tullum’Rosso

14 000 kg of grapes per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso/‘Tullum’Rosso

84 hectolitres per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Spumante/‘Tullum’Spumante

84 hectolitres per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso Riserva/‘Tullum’Rosso Riserva

9 000 kg of grapes per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Pecorino/‘Tullum’Pecorino

63 hectolitres per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Rosso Riserva/‘Tullum’Rosso Riserva

63 hectolitres per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Pecorino/‘Tullum’Pecorino

9 000 kg of grapes per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Passerina/‘Tullum’Passerina

9 000 kg of grapes per hectare

‘Terre Tollesi’Passerina/‘Tullum’Passerina

63 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The grapes to be used to make wines bearing the ‘Terre Tollesi’/‘Tullum’ controlled designation of origin must be harvested exclusively within the production area, which spans the entire municipality of Tollo in the province of Chieti.

7. Main wine grapes variety(ies)

Chardonnay B

Passerina B

Pecorino B

Montepulciano N

8. Description of the link(s)

‘Terre Tollesi’/‘Tullum’

The unique terrain of the Tollo area, featuring broad hillsides sloping down towards the Adriatic Sea and the imposing Maiella massif, giving an excellent orientation for vineyards, good ventilation and the absence of stagnant waters, ensures that local vines are in perfect conditions to produce high-quality grapes with distinctive characteristics. The interaction between natural and human factors, closely linked to historical tradition and to modern wine-growing and wine-making techniques, enables the production of red and white wines with noticeable distinctive features that are characteristic of the area and of the grape varieties used.

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

Bottling within the demarcated area

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Bottling within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

All wine-making, ageing, bottling and refining operations must be carried out within the production area described in Article 3 in order to preserve the products' specific characteristics and reputation and to guarantee their origin.

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/14053

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