Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2022/C 168/16)

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

‘Costers del Segre’

PDO-ES-A1523-AM03

Date of communication: 26.1.2022

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Change in the conditions of use of the terms ‘barrica’ (‘barrel’) and ‘roble’ (‘oak’)

DESCRIPTION:

In relation to the term ‘barrica’ (‘barrel’), the decision has been made to remove the reference to oak and to increase the container capacity from 330 litres to 600 litres.

As regards the maximum capacity of oak containers for the use of the term ‘roble’ (‘oak’), the decision has been made to increase the capacity from 330 litres to 600 litres.

This amendment concerns point 2.5 of the product specification but does not affect the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The conditions in the product specification for using these terms were stricter than those at national level, which are laid down in Annex III (Article 17) to Royal Decree 1363/2011 of 7 October 2011 implementing EU rules on the labelling, presentation and identification of certain wine products. This amendment brings them into line with national provisions.

2. Removal of the minimum natural alcoholic strength of grapes intended for wine and liqueur wine

DESCRIPTION:

The decision has been made to remove the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume for wines and liqueur wines.

This amendment concerns point 3.2 of the product specification but does not affect the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

This amendment responds to the needs of our wineries as a result of the effects of climate change, which is causing extreme weather events with high variability from year to year. The ultimate aim is to obtain wines of the highest quality, with a pleasant balance between alcohol and acidity.

3. Expansion of the demarcated area

DESCRIPTION:

Two new municipalities have been added, and three other municipalities that were only partially included have been added in full.

This amendment concerns point 4 of the product specification and point 6 of the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The enlargement of the production area has been requested by interested parties. As a result of these requests, PDO management released reports on the agronomic, soil and climate, and environmental aspects of the parcels in order to verify whether the areas covered by the enlargement fit the profile of the PDO area, and if so, to verify their exact location within the relevant sub-area.

All the land being included was checked in terms of:

— plantation characteristics;

— the location of the municipality and the proximity to existing parcels and existing municipalities covered by the ‘Costers del Segre’ designation of origin;

— the parcels’ climatic and soil characteristics.

The conclusion was that the new municipalities matched the climate and soil characteristics of the ‘Costers del Segre’ designation of origin and could therefore become part of it without affecting the quality and characteristics of the wine produced under the PDO.

4. Addition of three varieties

DESCRIPTION:

The Garnacha Peluda, Gonfaus and Sumoll Tinto varieties have been added.

This amendment concerns point 6 of the product specification and point 7 of the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The decision has been made to include these varieties based on requests and interest from various wineries included in this PDO, which deem them to be suitable varieties given the excellent results obtained by studies carried out on each variety, taking soil and climate into account.

Sumoll Tinto: drought-resistant red variety originating in Catalonia. Medium-cycle variety producing medium-large, elliptical grapes. Red wine made with the Sumoll Tinto variety has good acidity and tannic structure, and a fresh aroma of red fruit with medium tonal intensity. Wines made from the Sumoll Tinto variety retain the character and flavours typical of the area without affecting the quality of the wines.

Garnacha Peluda: variety originating in Catalonia, vigorous and quite productive. Red grape in compact bunches, the grapes themselves are medium-sized, spherical and grey, with thick furry leaves. Garnacha Peluda produces quality wine. The wines produced are very good, presenting the aromas and characteristics of the variety, enhancing the characteristic features of ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO red wines while retaining the character and flavours that are typical of the area.

Gonfaus: originating in the district of Osona (Catalonia), this variety has innate resources to cope with drought conditions. The wines made from this variety have fruity, intense and acidic aromas. According to studies, this variety has plenty of potential to produce quality wine without diminishing the area’s typical character and flavours.

5. Changes to the wording of the labelling requirements

DESCRIPTION:

The compulsory information to be included on the wine labelling has been removed, and it is now specified that ‘Denominación de Origen Protegida’ (‘Protected Designation of Origin’) and ‘Denominación de Origen’ (‘Designation of Origin’) may be used interchangeably.

This amendment concerns point 8.4 of the product specification but does not affect the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

This change is justified by a desire to simplify the content of the product specification and to prevent inaccuracies or outdated content that could arise as a result of reproducing the European or national provisions applicable to Catalan wines in the event of legislative changes.

Furthermore, including general provisions on the general labelling of wines or of any wine covered by a PDO or PGI in the product specification for the ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO was irrelevant and unnecessary, bearing in mind that the purpose of product specifications is to define the relevant conditions of production relating to the designation of origin and the specification of the product. Therefore, in view of the principles of simplification and regulatory quality, it is advisable to delete the elements in question.

Finally, a comparative analysis of various French, Spanish and Italian designations of origin has revealed the emergence of a common feature: not making any reference to the compulsory information relating to the labelling of wines, but instead making reference to the optional information permitted under the PDO in question.

6. Changes to the wording in relation to the means of guarantee on each package

DESCRIPTION:

The product specification establishes a guarantee system to be attached to each package of PDO wine. The wording has been changed to allow for any other means that management of this designation of origin may agree to use in the future.

This amendment concerns point 8.5 of the product specification and point 9 of the single document.

It is a standard amendment as it does not meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

Following the implementation of the use of the guarantee seal as a single-use identification system in 2019, the decision has been made to replace the other control systems (the alternatives to the guarantee seal) with a more generic alternative option that could meet any needs that may arise in the future.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Costers del Segre

2. Geographical indication type

PDO - Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

3. Liqueur wine

5. Quality sparkling wine

8. Semi-sparkling wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. WINE – whites and rosés

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Whites:

Translucent, yellowish or greenish tone, sometimes with orange or brown at the rim

The wines must comply with the following ranges/values:

Absorbance at 420 nm greater than or equal to 0,05, less than or equal to 1,4 and greater than the absorbance at 520 nm

Absorbance at 520 nm less than or equal to 0,4

Absorbance at 620 nm less than or equal to 0,1

Colour intensity greater than or equal to 0,05 and less than or equal to 2

Turbidity less than 30 NTU

Varietal aromas of fruit and/or vegetal, floral and spiced aromas with possible tertiary aromas. Absence of defects.

Balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects and with a long finish, lingering for more than 5 seconds

Rosés:

Translucent, with pinkish, reddish and/or bluish tones. The wines must comply with the following ranges/values:

Absorbance at 420 nm greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 2,5

Absorbance at 520 nm greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 3

Colour intensity greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 5,7

Turbidity less than 30 NTU

Varietal aromas of fruit and/or vegetal, floral and spiced aromas with possible tertiary aromas. Absence of defects.

Balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects and with a long finish, lingering for more than 5 seconds

In crianza wines, the maximum volatile acidity permitted is 15 meq/l

Maximum sulphur dioxide is 250 mg/l if the sugar content is ≥ 5 g/l.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10,5 Minimum total acidity 4,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 10 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 200

2. WINE – reds

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Limpid, with tones ranging from red and/or violet to brown or brick-coloured for crianza wines. The wines must comply with the following ranges/values:

Absorbance at 420 nm greater than or equal to 0,1

Absorbance at 520 nm greater than or equal to 0,1

Colour intensity greater than or equal to 3

Turbidity less than 80 NTU

No defects, varietal aromas of fruit and/or vegetal, floral and spiced aromas with possible tertiary aromas

Balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects and with a long finish, lingering for more than 5 seconds

In crianza wines, the maximum volatile acidity can increase by 1 meq/l for every degree of alcohol above 11 % vol. and every year of ageing, up to a maximum of 20 meq/l

Maximum sulphur dioxide is 200 mg/l if the sugar content is ≥ 5 g/l.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11 Minimum total acidity 4,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,33 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 150

3. LIQUEUR WINE

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Yellowish and/or greenish tone, sometimes with orange or old gold at the rim in the case of wines made using white grape varieties. Ranging from red and/or violet to possible orange, brown or copper tones in the case of wines made using red grape varieties. The wines must comply with the following ranges/values:

Absorbance at 420 nm greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 20

Absorbance at 520 nm greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 20

Absorbance at 620 nm greater than or equal to 0,1 and less than or equal to 10

Colour intensity less than or equal to 50

Turbidity less than 80 NTU

No defects, varietal aromas of fruit and/or vegetal, floral and spiced aromas with possible tertiary aromas

Balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects

Maximum sulphur dioxide is 200 mg/l if the sugar content is ≥ 5 g/l.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 15 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 150

4. QUALITY SPARKLING WINE

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Translucent, yellowish and/or greenish tone, sometimes with orange or old gold at the rim. Persistent presence of a string of bubbles. The wines must comply with the following ranges/values:

Absorbance at 420 nm greater than or equal to 0,05 and less than or equal to 1,4

Absorbance at 520 nm less than or equal to 2

Absorbance at 620 nm less than or equal to 1

Colour intensity greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 2

Turbidity less than 30 NTU

No defects. Aroma of fresh fruit and/or vegetal and/or floral aromas with the possible presence of tertiary aromas originating from it being aged in the bottle.

Balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects and with a long finish, lingering for more than 5 seconds

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10,8 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 185

5. SEMI-SPARKLING WINE

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Carbon dioxide gas seen in the form of bubbles but no foam; colour matching the absorbance ranges described in the preceding sections for each type of wine (white, red, rosé)

Varietal aromas of fruit and/or flowers. No defects.

Carbon dioxide content perceptible on the palate, balanced flavour and mouthfeel, without any defects and with a long finish, lingering for more than 5 seconds

Sulphur dioxide content equal to that of white, rosé and red wines

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in milliequivalents per litre 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

1. Specific oenological practice

Appropriate pressure is applied to extract the must or wine and separate it from the marc, so that no more than 75 litres of wine are obtained from every 100 kg of grapes harvested.

5.2. Maximum yields

1.

16 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

2.

120 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO area is made up of seven sub-areas:

Artesa de Segre sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— Algerri

— Alòs de Balaguer

— Artesa de Segre

— Balaguer

— Castelló de Farfanya

— Foradada

— Menàrguens

— District of Montclar within the municipality of Agramunt

— Cadastral polygons 5 (parcels 399, 400, 401 and 402) and 7 (parcel 90) in the municipality of Cubells

— Os de Balaguer

— Vilanova de Meià

— La Sentiu de Sió

Urgell sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— Penelles

— Preixens

— Cadastral polygons 2 (parcel 7), 3 (parcel 75), 4 (parcel 25) and 13 (parcel 93) in the municipality of Ivars d’Urgell

Garrigues sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— Albi

— Arbeca

— Bellaguarda

— Cervià de les Garrigues

— L’Espluga Calba

— Fulleda

— La Floresta

— La Pobla de Cérvoles

— Els Omellons

— Tarrés

— Vinaixa

— El Vilosell

— Cadastral polygons 5 (parcel 487), 12 (parcels 14, 15, 16, 33, 34 and 37) and 13 (parcels 3, 4 and 5) in the municipality of Juneda

— Cadastral polygons 9 (parcels 30 and 96), 21 (parcels 114, 165 and 167) and 22 (parcels 118, 119 and 120) in the municipality of Borges Blanques

— L’Albagés

— Cadastral polygons 2 (parcels 57, 66, 499 and 9002) and 6 (parcels 317, 318, 319, 320 and 597) in the municipality of Juncosa

— Cadastral polygons 1 (parcel 27) and 3 (parcels 97 and 222) in the municipality of Llardecans

Pallars sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— Tremp (former municipality), as well as Gurb, Palau de Noguera, Puigcercós, Suterranya and Vilamitjana (districts of Tremp)

— Cadastral polygons 1 (parcels 509 and 556), 3 (parcels 37, 190, 191, 219, 222, 226, 233, 248, 315 and 318), 12 (parcels 146, 151, 161, 163 and 175), 13 (parcels 17, 93, 127 and 204) and 17 (parcel 212) in the municipality of Conca de Dalt

— The area of Castell de Mur, the sub-districts of Cellers and Guàrdia de Tremp

— The area of Gavet de la Conca, the sub-districts of Sant Cristòfol de la Vall, Sant Martí de Barcedana and Sant Miquel de la Vall

— Sub-districts of Conques, Figuerola d’Orcau, Orcau-Basturs and Sant Romà d’Abella in the municipality of Isona i Conca Dellà

— Cadastral polygon 4 (parcels 24, 25, 26, 29, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, 50 and 65) in the municipality of Pobla de Segur

— Cadastral polygons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the municipality of Llimiana

— Cadastral polygon 3 (parcels 17, 28, 29, 37, 300 and 301) in the municipality of Rialp

— Salàs de Pallars

— Cadastral polygons 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the municipality of Talarn

— Cadastral polygons 3 (parcels 201, 202, 203, 220, 223, 225, 325 and 330) and 2 (parcels 273 and 276) in the municipality of Sort

Raimat sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— The population unit known as Raimat, in the municipal area of Lleida

— Cadastral polygons 1 (parcels 162 and 181) and 2 (parcel 143) in the municipality of Almacelles

Segrià sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— Alcarràs: Cadastral polygons 6 (parcels 9017, 9022, and 9005) and 15 (parcels 3, 57, 9001, 9003, 9004, 9007 and 2027)

— Alfarràs

— Cadastral polygon 5 (parcels 25, 180, 181, 193, 196 and 280) in the municipality of Almacelles

— Almenar

— Gimenells i el Pla de la Font

— Cadastral polygons 1, 2, 7 (parcels 230, 231, 232, 307, 309, 310 and 311) and 8 (parcel 337) in the municipality of Lleida

— Cadastral polygons 11 (parcels 6, 7, 8 and 9005) and 12 (parcel 9006) in the municipality of Torrefarrera

Valls del Riu Corb sub-area: made up of the following municipalities:

— L’Ametlla

— Belianes

— Ciutadilla

— Granyanella

— Granyena de Segarra

— Guimerà

— Maldà

— Montoliu de Segarra

— Montornès de Segarra

— Nalec

— Omells de Na Gaia

— Preixana

— Sant Martí de Riucorb

— Tàrrega

— Vallbona de les Monges

— Vallfogona de Riucorb

— Verdú

— Cadastral polygons 4 (parcel 92) and 6 (parcels 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48) in the municipality of Vilagrassa

None of the parcels forming the geographical area for ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO will be excluded in the event of re-zoning, expropriation or changes to municipal boundaries performed in accordance with the legislation in force on the subject of local government.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

AGUDELO – CHENIN BLANC

ALARIJE – SUBIRANT PARENT

ALBARIÑO

CABERNET FRANC

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHARDONNAY

GARNACHA BLANCA

GARNACHA PELUDA

GARNACHA TINTA

GARNACHA TINTORERA

GEWÜRZTRAMINER

GODELLO

GONFAUS

MACABEO – VIURA

MALBEC

MAZUELA – SAMSÓ

MERLOT

MONASTRELL

MOSCATEL DE ALEJANDRÍA

MOSCATEL DE GRANO MENUDO

PARELLADA

PETIT VERDOT

PINOT NOIR

RIESLING

SAUVIGNON BLANC

SUMOLL TINTO

SYRAH

TEMPRANILLO – ULL DE LLEBRE

TREPAT

VERDEJO

VIOGNIER

XARELLO

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Wine

The specific and well-defined characteristics of ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO, such as its geographical location of origin and the distance to the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, create a continental climate with major seasonal and daily fluctuations in temperature and growth cycle periods that are specific to the area, resulting in characteristic harvests.

The area’s natural factors allow traditional varieties to be preserved and non-indigenous varieties – introduced following the arrival of phylloxera – to be perfected. There is therefore a great diversity in the grape varieties, meaning that the products can have very diverse varietal compositions.

As for human factors, there is a tradition of wine-growing in the area, as attested by historical references in the form of documentation and physical structures, and an enthusiasm for ground-breaking new techniques.

Night-time temperatures during the ripening process are exceptionally low – commonly around 15 °C throughout the ripening process, dropping to 2-10 °C in the later stages throughout the ‘Costers del Segre’ PDO area. This produces wines with high acidity and intense flavours that stand apart from those produced in other regions. The primary aromas of white wines are infused with fruity scents when they are from sub-areas with gentle slopes and floral scents in the sub-areas located higher up. For red wines, the natural influence is reflected in the actual alcoholic strength, fragrances and flavours. All of these factors preserve the characteristic quality conferred on the wines by the cold night-time temperatures. It is impossible to produce wines with these characteristics in other regions.

8.2. Quality sparkling wine

Sparkling wine has been made using the traditional method at certain wineries since the beginning of last century.

The primary aromas of the white wines used to produce these sparkling wines are infused with fruity scents when they are from sub-areas with gentle slopes, and floral scents when they are from the sub-areas located higher up.

The significant daily fluctuation in temperature during the ripening cycle produces wines with distinctive characteristics, higher levels of acidity and intense floral aromas. These factors, combined with the human factor – the continued use of traditional production methods – and the natural factor – which enables the preservation of indigenous varieties and adaptation of foreign varieties – help shape the specific quality sparkling wines of this PDO.

8.3. Liqueur wine

The production of liqueur wines of the PDO ‘Costers del Segre’: The higher daytime temperatures combined with the low rainfall in the autumn allow the harvest to be delayed, resulting in a crop that is very rich in sugars. Thanks to these very special climatic characteristics, there is a tradition of producing liqueur wines using late-harvested partially raisined grapes. The soil type allows the varieties used for these wines to be harvested in optimum condition, without becoming over-ripened.

8.4. Semi-sparkling wine

The high acidity and intense floral aromas of ‘Costers del Segre’ DOP semi-sparkling wines are down to the huge fluctuation in temperature during the grape ripening process, which can often exceed 15 °C.

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:

A single-use identification method must be used on the packaging used to market products covered by the ‘Costers del Segre’ designation of origin. This can be a guarantee seal or the control system decided by PDO management. No matter which system is chosen, traceability must be guaranteed through a procedure established by the managing body.

Link to the product specification

http://incavi.gencat.cat/.content/005-normativa/plecs-condicions-do-catalanes/Arxius-plecs/PC-Costers-del-Segre-2020-control-canvis-AM04.pdf

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