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 298/13)

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

‘Kremstal’

Reference number: PDO-AT-A0208-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

Kremstal

2. Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

The ‘Kremstal’ designation of origin may only be used for wines which have been produced from the Grüner Veltliner or Riesling varieties and which have a distinctive character (Grüner Veltliner: fresh, fruity, delicately spicy; Riesling: fragrant, with stone fruit aromas, elegant, minerally). 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 ‘Kremstal’ 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 ‘Kremstal’ designation of origin comprises the city of Krems an der Donau and the municipalities of Furth bei Göttweig, Gedersdorf, Imbach, Paudorf, Rohrendorf bei Krems, Senftenberg and Stratzing-Droß in Lower Austria.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Weißer Riesling – Rheinriesling

Grüner Veltliner – Weißgipfler

Weißer Riesling – Riesling

8. Description of the link(s)

The soils around Krems consist of weathered slate rock and, in parts, looser, slightly chalky loess. By the rivers they consist of gravel sediment. The landscape to the east of Krems is marked by the characteristic south-facing loess terraces. The chalky richness of the sand further strengthens the good soil structure and helps prevent minerals from being leached away. As a result, the loess soils are highly fertile. Due to their high porosity and good water retention capacity, the soils are particularly well suited to winegrowing.

The entire winegrowing area has an extremely mild climate. The average annual temperature is 9,4 °C and the average precipitation is 540 mm. The Kremstal winegrowing region is characterised by marked climatic differences within a small area. These differences are the result of two types of climate meeting: the warm Pannonian zone to the east and the less pronounced, harsh climate of the Weinviertel uplands. The typical characteristics of the wine are as follows:

Grüner Veltliner: fresh, fruity, delicately spicy.

Riesling: fragrant, with stone fruit aromas, elegant, minerally.

The reserve wines have a powerful style and strong varietal aromas. Sometimes these wines also have delicate botrytis and wood tones. In the west of Krems, the weathered bedrock soils produce minerally, fruity wines. The loess terraces in the east of the city make for a somewhat rounder, more full-bodied type of wine. This winegrowing area is suitable for the production of lush white wines that are rich in finesse and elegant, punchy red wines.

Moreover, the predominantly family-run nature of the winegrowing businesses means that the traditional style of winemaking is passed from generation to generation, which adds to the distinctive character of Kremstal wines.

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 ‘Kremstal’ designation of origin may only be marketed if it has an official quality check number [Staatliche Prüfnummer]. In order to obtain a quality check number, a sample of each wine to be marketed with the ‘Kremstal’ designation of origin (systematic check) must be subjected to analytical and organoleptic tests (cf. the product specification).

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 as the traditional designation and the year. The tasters use their experience and set benchmark wines to judge whether the wines presented to them are marketable (free from imperfections) and typical of Weinviertel wines.

The panel tasting for the purposes of awarding a quality check number for wine with the sales denomination ‘Kremstal DAC’ must take place at the Krems branch of the Federal Viticulture Office. At least four tasters must confirm that the Kremstal DAC requirements are met. If opinion is divided evenly, the tasting should not be repeated.

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.