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

(2021/C 139/09)

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

‘SIERRAS DE MÁLAGA’

PDO-ES-A1480-AM02

Date of communication: 27.1.2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Improvements to the wording of the section on the protected name

DESCRIPTION:

Labelling terms such as traditional terms or smaller geographical units have been deleted.

Section A of the product specification has been amended, but the single document is not affected.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The deletion does not correspond to the content of the section where only the name to be protected should appear.

2. Improvements to the wording of the section on the description of the wines

DESCRIPTION:

The textual description of the wines covered by the PDO has been replaced by a table setting out the parameters and values required by the Designation of Origin and including a reference to European Union legislation.

The organoleptic description of the wines has been improved to facilitate checks by the operator and certification by the conformity assessment body.

Section B of the product specification and Section 4 of the single document have therefore been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The wording of the analytical description of the wines has been improved. As regards the sensory information, the existing qualitative descriptions have been changed to attributes and descriptors defined for evaluation by a panel of sensory judges, in accordance with the requirements of standard UNE ISO 17025.

3. Improvements to the wording of the section on oenological practices

DESCRIPTION:

The definitions relating to the geographical scope (‘Production zone’, ‘Production area’ and ‘Sub-area’) have been moved to heading D ‘Demarcated geographical area’.

In subsection C.1, the wording has been revised in accordance with the criteria of verifiability (deletion of the expression ‘greater care’) and precision (deletion of the expression ‘generally’). The requirements on minimum natural alcoholic strength by wine category have been set out, including the requirement corresponding to wine from raisined grapes (which was missing). Reference to EU legislation has also been included.

In Subsection C.2, the definitions relating to the geographical scope (in this case ‘processing area’) have been moved to heading D ‘Demarcated geographical area’.

In Subsection C.3, the definitions relating to the geographical scope have been moved to heading D ‘Demarcated geographical area’. In the second paragraph the wording has been improved by deleting the word ‘generally’ and unambiguously detailing when the 1 000 litre containers can be used.

This amendment concerns Section C of the product specification and section 5(a) of the single document.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The wording has been tidied up and improved and the omission of the natural alcoholic strength limit for wines from raisined grapes has been corrected.

4. Expansion of the demarcated area

DESCRIPTION:

The definitions relating to the processing and ageing and maturing areas, and on the smaller geographical unit ‘production area’ and ‘sub-area’ have been moved and added under this heading.

The list of municipalities covered by the PDO has been expanded to comprise the entire province of Málaga by extending the ‘Serranía de Ronda’ sub-area and the areas of ‘Montes de Málaga’ and ‘Norte de Málaga’ and incorporating two new areas, i.e. ‘Costa Occidental’ [West Coast] and ‘Sierra de las Nieves’.

Section D of the product specification and Section 6 of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33. Extending the demarcated area does not entail any change to the existing link, which remains unaltered.

REASONS:

The ancient historical link between the province of Málaga and winemaking is rooted in its mild climate which is ideal for the cultivation, development and exploitation of vines, as evidenced by the numerous references in the literature to the extent and breadth of the land occupied by vineyards throughout the territory before the Phylloxera blight struck.

The production area has traditionally been the entire province of Málaga. In fact, at the time of the Phylloxera blight (1874) some 112 000 hectares were devoted to vineyards located in every one of the province’s municipalities. This situation would be formally maintained during the twentieth century, from the first Regulation of 1935 published in the Gazette of Madrid No 123 of 3 May 1935 until the Regulation of 1976 published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) No 305 of 21 December 1976, in which the production area was limited to part of the province.

The recognition granted to the PDO ‘Sierras de Málaga’ in 2000 has been such a boost for the wine sector that winegrowers, wineries and the town councils of the province’s municipalities not included in the production area for the PDO submitted a formal application requesting that their municipalities be reinstated in the production area for the PDO:

The plots belonging to the reinstated municipalities share the same landscape and geographical characteristics as the areas and sub-areas currently included in the production area. None of the new municipalities, considered on their own or as part of a group (in the case of ‘Sierra de las Nieves’ or ‘Costa Occidental’), involves the introduction of production areas with new agro-climatic characteristics.

5. Introduction of yield limit in hectolitres per hectare

DESCRIPTION:

The information has been completed by expressing the maximum yield limits as hectolitres per hectare and in accordance with the national legislation on wine.

Section E of the product specification and Section 5(b) of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

It is considered appropriate to limit the yield per hectare, both in kilos of grapes and in hectolitres of wine.

6. Introduction of new varieties

DESCRIPTION:

The list of white and red varieties that can be used to make wine protected by the PDO has been extended.

Section F of the product specification and Section 7 of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The Phylloxera blight at the end of the nineteenth century wreaked havoc on the varietal heritage, as well as diminishing and splitting up the area devoted to wine-growing, with vineyards throughout the province of Málaga being dispersed.

Since the 1980s, producers have been carrying out important innovative and experimental work on varieties, rescuing historical grapes and introducing others that have been proven to thrive in neighbouring wine-growing areas (and the types of wines obtained from them). This work culminated in the PDO ‘Sierras de Málaga’ being recognised in the year 2000.

Therefore the characteristics and typical features of the PDO ‘Sierras de Málaga’ are inextricably linked to the diverse natural environment and the structure of the territory (with vineyards being scattered and small in terms of dimensions). This increases the terroir factor and results in highly expressive quality wines.

Over the last eight years (the current version of the product specification dates from 2011), the focus on innovation among winegrowers involved in the PDO ‘Sierras de Málaga’ has led to the addition of new varieties to the list of recognised varieties in the product specification, due to the introduction of historical varieties originally grown in the area as well as others that have been proven to thrive in neighbouring wine-growing areas.

7. Improvements to the section on the link

DESCRIPTION:

The wording of the link has been revised and rearranged.

Section G of the product specification and Section 8 of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33. The amendment is just to tidy up and improve the wording and the link remains unaltered.

REASONS:

The goal is to clearly and separately set out the human and natural factors involved in the production of the wines covered by the PDO, the main and distinguishing characteristics of these products, and the causal link between the factors involved in the production and processing stages and the final characteristics of the products obtained.

8. Improvements to the section on further conditions

DESCRIPTION:

Section H (‘Requirements applicable by the Regulatory Board’) has been adapted to comply with the headings of the product specification template established by the Commission in 2011, ‘FURTHER CONDITIONS’. The requirements of the product specification are applied by the operators and not by the Regulatory Board, so the first paragraph has therefore been deleted.

With regard to subsection H.1, the wording has been improved in order to better comply with Article 103(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). As stated therein, the only requirement to qualify for using the PDO is that the wine is in conformity with the product specification and there is no requirement for operators to be registered with the Regulatory Board.

With regard to subsection H.4:

— The wording of the first paragraph concerning wines released for consumption already packaged or bottled has been improved, replacing ‘Community rules’ with ‘European Union rules or legislation’ and aligning the wording with the provisions of Article 27(2) ‘Packaging of protected products’ of the Operating Rules issued by the Regulatory Board.

— As regards the practice prior to labels being placed in circulation, the word ‘approval’ has been replaced by 'assessment’.

— As regards wine to be marketed in bulk, the wording has been improved to remove the contradiction between bulk and packaged wine. These definitions are mutually exclusive and there is no specific ‘bulk’ container, as any container of more than 60 litres qualifies.

— As regards the control measures for wines dispatched in bulk and bottled outside the production area, the wording has been improved to eliminate arbitrariness and clearly specify that the possible control measures should be those required in order for the product to qualify for certification.

— In the paragraphs on including references to smaller geographical units than the production area, the reference to the ‘procedure for using the brand as determined by the Regulatory Board’ has been deleted, given that the basic requirement for using these optional terms has already been defined in the previous text.

— The paragraph on the use of smaller geographical units other than those defined for the municipality, area and sub-area has been deleted, since it is a general reference to EU rules on how to proceed for future demarcations.

Section H of the product specification and Section 9 of the single document have been amended.

This is a standard amendment, since it does not fall under any of the categories provided for in Article 14(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.

REASONS:

The aim is to make specific improvements to the text of this section of the product specification.

9. Update to information on control bodies

DESCRIPTION:

The reference to the EU rules for verifying compliance with the product specification has been updated with information on the competent authority for carrying out the checks and the entity that is responsible for verifying the product specifications.

Section I of the product specification has been amended, but the single document is not affected.

REASONS:

The information indicated has been updated.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name of the product

Sierras de Málaga

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

16. Wine from overripe grapes

4. Description of the wine(s)

White wine

Appearance: Pale yellow to old gold.

Aroma: Discernible aromatic intensity, fruity.

Taste: Discernible taste intensity, discernible acidity. Short to long finish.

* Any values not shown here comply with limits laid down in the applicable legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10 Minimum total acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

Rosé wine

Appearance: Colour ranging from onion skin to reddish pink with ruby hints.

Aroma: Discernible aromatic intensity, fruity and floral.

Taste: Discernible taste intensity. Discernible acidity and astringency. Short to long finish.

* Any values not shown here comply with limits laid down in the applicable legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11 Minimum total acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

Red wine

Appearance: Violet to slate red in colour.

Aroma: Discernible intensity, fruity.

Taste: Discernible taste intensity. Discernible acidity and density. With astringency. Short to very long finish.

* Any values not shown here comply with limits laid down in the applicable legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 12 Minimum total acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

Red wine from overripe grapes

Appearance: Violet to dark cherry in colour.

Aroma: Discernible aromatic intensity, fruity.

Taste: Discernible taste intensity; Discernible acidity and astringency. Density from light to highly discernible. Short to very long finish.

* Any values not shown here comply with limits laid down in the applicable legislation.

General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 12 Minimum total acidity Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5. Wine-making practices

a. Specific oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

Ageing shall be carried out in oak barrels using the ‘añadas’ system.

References to the traditional terms ‘Crianza’, ‘Reserva’ and ‘Gran Reserva’ as laid down in the applicable national legislation can be used for the wines on an optional basis.

Relevant restriction on making the wines

The pressure applied in producing musts and wines shall be such that the yield does not exceed 70 % (l wine/kg of grapes).

No artificial sweetening or enrichment of the natural alcoholic strength is permitted. Both the natural alcoholic strength and the residual sugars in the wines covered by the PDO must always be natural.

Growing practices

The harvest must be made exclusively from healthy and ripe grapes. Overripe grapes may be used for wines with a residual sugar content of more than 4 grams per litre. The minimum natural alcoholic strength of eligible products in the ‘wine’ category shall be 10 % by volume. Grapes harvested from plots with a lower potential alcoholic strength are not suitable for making wines protected by the PDO, with the exception of the ‘wine from overripe grapes’ category, for which the natural alcoholic strength must be higher than 15 % by volume.

In the ‘Serranía de Ronda’ sub-area, harvesting must be carried out by hand. The grapes must be placed in packages weighing not more than 30 kg and transported in the same containers.

b. Maximum yields

White grape varieties

12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

84 hectolitres per hectare

Red grape varieties

9 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

63 hectolitres per hectare

In the ‘Serranía de Ronda’ sub-area

9 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

63 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

The production area for wines covered by the ‘Sierras de Málaga’ Designation of Origin is made up of the municipalities of:

Málaga, Alameda, Alcaucín, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Algatocín, Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Almáchar, Almargen, Almogía, Álora, Alozaina, Alpandeire, Antequera, Árchez, Archidona, Ardales, Arenas, Arriate, Atajate, Benadalid, Benahavís, Benalauría, Benalmdena, Benamargosa, Benamocarra, Benaoján, Benarrabá, El Borge, EL Burgo, Campillos, Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas de Albaida, Cañete la Real, Carratraca, Cartajima, Cártama, Casabermeja, Casarabonela, Casares, Coín, Colmenar, Comares, Cómpeta, Cortes de la Frontera, Cuevas Bajas, Cuevas del Becerro, Cuevas de San Marcos, Cútar, Estepona, Faraján, Frigiliana, Fuengirola, Fuentepiedra, Gaucín, Genalguacil, Guaro, Humilladero, Igualeja, Istán, Iznate, Jiména de líbar, Jubrique, Júzcar, Macharaviaya, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Moclinejo, Mollina, Monda, Montecorto, Montejaque, Nerja, Ojén, Parauta, Periana, Pizarra, Pujerra, Rincón de la Victoria, Riogordo, Ronda, Salares, Sayalonga, Sedella, Serrato, Sierra de Yeguas, Teba, Tolox, Torremolinos, Torrox, Totalán, Valle de Abdalajís, Vélez-Málaga, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de la Concepción, Villanueva del Rosario, Villanueva de Tapia, Villanueva del Trabuco, La Viñuela and Yunquera, which belong to the province of Málaga, as well as the municipalities of Benamejí and Palenciana in the province of Córdoba.

Sub-area: A geographical unit smaller than the production area, which is a homogeneous geographical environment, and in which certain differentiated requirements apply.

Area: A geographical unit smaller than the production area, which is characterised by a geographical environment with a certain homogeneity.

Within the production area covered by the ‘Sierras de Málaga’ Designation of Origin, a distinction is made between the sub-area traditionally designated ‘Serranía de Ronda’, a natural district to which the municipalities of Algatocín, Alpandeire, Arriate, Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Benaoján, Benarrabá, Cartajima, Cortes de la Frontera, Cuevas del Becerro, Faraján, Gaucín, Genalgaucín, Igualeja, Jimena de Líbar, Jubrique, Júzcar, Montecorto, Montejaque, Parauta, Pujerra, Ronda and Serrato belong.

Within the production area, a distinction is also made for the following areas:

‘Axarquía’, to which the municipalities of Alcaucín, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Almáchar, Árchez, Arenas, Benamargosa, Benamocarra, Borge, Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas de Albaida, Comares, Cómpeta, Cútar, Frigiliana, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Nerja, Periana, Rincón de la Victoria, Riogordo, Salares, Sayalonga, Sedella, Torrox, Totalán, Vélez-Málaga and La Viñuela belong.

‘Montes de Málaga’, to which the municipalities of Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Almogía, Álora, Antequera (the part located south of the Sierra Pelada, Sierra de las Cabras, Sierra Prieta, Sierra del Co and Sierra de Camarolas mountains), Ardales, Carratraca, Cártama, Casabermeja, Coín, Colmenar, Málaga, Pizarra, Torremolinos and Villanueva de la Concepción belong.

‘Manilva’, to which the municipalities of Manilva, Casares and Estepona belong.

‘Costa Occidental’ [West Coast], to which the municipalities of Benahavís, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella and Mijas belong.

‘Norte de Málaga’, to which the municipalities of Alameda, Almargen, Antequera, Archidona, Benamejí, Campillos, Cañete la Real, Cuevas Bajas, Cuevas de San Marcos, Fuentepiedra, Humilladero, Mollina, Palenciana, Sierra de Yeguas, Teba, Valle de Abdalajís, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva del Rosario, Villanueva de Tapia and Villanueva del Trabuco belong.

‘Sierra de las Nieves’, to which the municipalities of Alozaina, El Burgo, Casarabonela, Guaro, Istán, Monda, Ojén, Tolox and Yunquera belong.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

BLAUER LIMBERGER - BLAUFRÄNKISCH

CABERNET FRANC

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHARDONNAY

COLOMBARD

DORADILLA

GARNACHA BLANCA

GARNACHA TINTA

GEWÜRZTRAMINER

GRACIANO

JAÉN TINTO

MACABEO - VIURA

MALBEC

MALVASIA AROMÁTICA

MERLOT

MONASTRELL

MONTÚA - CHELVA

MOSCATEL DE ALEJANDRÍA

MOSCATEL DE GRANO MENUDO - MOSCATEL MORISCO

MOSCATEL NEGRO

PARDINA - JAÉN BLANCO

PEDRO XIMÉNEZ

PERRUNO

PETIT VERDOT

PINOT NOIR

RIESLING

ROME

SAUVIGNON BLANC

SYRAH

TEMPRANILLO

TINTILLA DE ROTA

TINTO VELASCO - BLASCO

VERDEJO

VERMENTINO

VIJARIEGO BLANCO - BIGIRIEGO

VIOGNIER

8. Description of the link(s)

The diversity of the types of wines and range of characteristics within those of the same type (white, rosé or red) reflect the interaction between the complex and diverse natural environment underpinning their production, the multitude of varieties of different origins (historical, adapted non-native and rescued native varieties) which thrive in the favourable climate of the production area, and the complexity of its relief. All of these factors contribute to vineyards being small, which increases the terroir effect.

The temperature pattern during ripening is particularly important, profoundly influencing the variability of nuances in the aromas and the quality of the polyphenols. Temperatures in the area are typically moderate, dropping at night-time. The warmth to be expected for the latitude is counterbalanced by the location in a climate transition zone and by other mesoclimate-related factors. One climate feature which is particularly relevant is the long hours of sunshine, as this favours the production of musts with the high natural strength needed for making wines from overripe grapes.

For reasons of composition, texture and/or gradient, the soils generally have good drainage. Combined with medium to low fertility levels, this boosts the concentration of aromatic compounds and enhances the finesse of the wines.

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:

— The larger geographical unit may be indicated on an optional basis: ‘Andalusia’, the region in which the entire protected zone is contained.

— Smaller geographical units: references to the sub-area, the various production areas and the municipalities in the demarcated area are expressly regulated.

Link to the product specification

https://juntadeandalucia.es/export/drupaljda/PC_Sierras_de_Malaga_modificado.pdf

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

(2) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.