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 276/04)

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

‘Kärnten’

Reference number: PDO-AT-A0218-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

Kärnten

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 ‘Kärnten’ designation of origin may be used for wine and quality sparkling wine; however, it is not used for the latter in practice. ‘Kärnten’ is mainly produced as ‘Qualitätswein’; the analytical characteristics are set out in the product specification.

‘Kärnten’ is also produced with other distinctions (e.g. ‘Kabinett’, ‘Spätlese’, ‘Eiswein’); the corresponding analytical characteristics are set out in the product specification. The dominant organoleptic qualities can be characterised as fruity, dry and aromatic; other organoleptic characteristics are set out in the product specification.

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 ‘Kärnten’ 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 ‘Kärnten’ designation of origin comprises the entire province of Carinthia in Austria.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Zweigelt – Rotburger

Grüner Veltliner – Weißgipfler

Zweigelt – Blauer Zweigelt

8. Description of the link(s)

Carinthia borders East Tyrol to the west, Salzburg to the north-west, Styria to the north-east and east, and Slovenia to the south, as well as the Italian regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto. The border is made up almost entirely of mountain ridges: the High Tauern and the Gurktal Alps in the north, the Koralpe in the east, the Carnic Alps and the Karavanks in the south, and the Lienz Dolomites and the Schober Group in the west.

The narrowing of the territory around the middle to only 44 km2, together with the different types of terrain, results in the division between Upper Carinthia, with its high mountains, and Lower Carinthia, which is dominated by the Klagenfurt Basin and broad river valleys. Carinthia is located in the temperate climate zone of Central Europe. The influence of the Mediterranean climate is generally overestimated. The main Alpine ridge is also a significant weather divide, but not a climatic divide. Nevertheless, the climate is heavily influenced by the south-facing position, the relief and other local conditions. This creates microclimates.

The production structure in the Carinthia wine region 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. The vines are almost exclusively cultivated using the ‘high culture’ training system and wire frames.

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 ‘Kärnten’ designation of origin may only be marketed if it has an official quality check number [Staatliche Prüfnummer]. This rule does not apply to ‘Sekt’, ‘Qualitätsschaumwein’ or ‘Hauersekt’.

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.