EN Official Journal of the European Union C 294/15

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 17(6) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89

(2017/C 294/09)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 17(7) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

MAIN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TECHNICAL FILE

‘ГРОЗДОВА РАКИЯ ОТ ТЪРГОВИЩЕ’/‘GROZDOVA RAKYA FROM TARGOVISHTE’

ЕU No PGI-BG-01864 — 7.1.2014

1. Geographical indication to be registered

‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’

2. Category of the spirit drink

Винена дестилатна спиртна напитка/Wine spirit

3. Description of the spirit drink

3.1. Physical, chemical and/or organoleptic characteristics

Wine spirit with the geographical indication ‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ has a pale yellow colour, a pleasant aroma of vanilla and a harmonious mild taste. Its specific physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics are due to the following factors: raw material, geographical area, method of production, and human factor applying good manufacturing practices and combining tradition with modern technology.

3.2. Specific characteristics (compared to other spirit drinks of the same category)

Wine spirit with the geographical indication ‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ is produced using a traditional Bulgarian method and has the following physico-chemical properties:

— the minimum alcoholic strength of the drink is 40 % vol.,

— a volatile substance content (including higher alcohols, total acids, esters and aldehydes) of 267-365 g/hl of 100 % vol. alcohol,

— a maximum methanol content of 120 g/hl of 100 % vol. alcohol.

The wood from which the barrels used for maturing the distillate are made and the mineral water which, after softening, is used for diluting the wine distillate also contribute to the drink’s distinctive taste.

4. Geographical area concerned

Wine spirit with the geographical indication ‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ is produced in the province of Targovishte, which is situated in the eastern part of the Danube plain. The vineyards are located in the municipality of Targovishte, in six localities belonging to the villages of Kralevo, Dalgach, Ovcharovo, Pevets, Strazha and Ruets.

5. Method for obtaining the spirit drink

Wine spirit with the geographical indication ‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ is produced from the following grape varieties:

— white — Chardonnay, Rkatsiteli, Muscat Ottonel, Dimyat, Tamyanka, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Riesling Italico,

— red — Cabernet Sauvignon and Pamid.

Production begins with the harvesting of the grapes. On receipt, they are graded by variety, general outward appearance and sugar content, then pressed. The resultant pulp is macerated in rotary strainers for 4-12 hours. The grape must is then clarified and the clear fractions are transferred on for fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation takes place over approximately 20 days at temperatures of 14 to 18 °С. The finished wine is transported for single or double distillation in a K-5 distillation column at less than 65 % vol. alcohol. The resulting wine distillate is stored in separate compartments for maturing in oak barrels and blending (coupage).

6. Link with the geographical environment or origin

6.1. Details of the geographical area or origin relevant to the link

The geographical area is mostly hilly or undulating. The average elevation is 200-520 m above sea-level. It has a mild, temperate continental climate with maritime influences. Autumns are warm, dry and long, which greatly favours the accumulation of sugars in the grapes. The annual average temperature in the area is approximately 10,7 °C. In terms of annual average precipitation, maximum levels mostly occur in late spring and early summer. The soils in the area are sandy-loamy chernozem and grey forest soils.

6.2. Specific characteristics of the spirit drink attributable to the geographical area

Wine spirit with the geographical indication ‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ is produced in the province of Targovishte where a favourable combination of topography, soils, and climate helps the grapes attain optimum technical ripeness and allows the cultivation of quality grapes. Many of the distinctive qualities of the drink are due to the special oak of the species Quercus Frainetto (Blagun oak) from which the barrels used for maturing the distillate are made. Softened mineral water from the Boaza spring, situated 8 km to the south-west of the city of Targovishte, is used for diluting the distillate. Subsequent blending results in a quality product with stable organoleptic characteristics — a pale yellow colour, a pleasant aroma of vanilla and a harmonious mild taste. The aromatic substances contained in the grapes which form the bouquet and the aroma of the drink are preserved by using both traditional and modern production methods.

7. European Union or national/regional provisions

In Bulgaria, the procedure for approving spirit drinks with a geographical indication is set out in Section VII, ‘Production of spirit drinks with a geographical indication’ and Chapter Nine, ‘Spirit drinks’ of the Wine and Spirit Drinks Act (ZVSN), published in State Gazette No 45 of 15 June 2012.

‘Гроздова ракия от Търговище’/‘Grozdova rakya from Targovishte’ was approved as a wine spirit with a geographical indication by Order No T-RD-27-13 of the Minister for the Economy of 27 November 2013, which has been published on the Ministry of the Economy’s website at: http://www.mi.government.bg/bg/library/zapoved-za-utvarjdavane-na-vinena-destilatna-spirtna-napitka-grozdova-rakiya-s-geografsko-ukazanie-t-68-c28-m361-1.html

8. Applicant

Member State, third country or legal/natural person:

Република България, Министерство на икономиката/Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of the Economy.

— Full address (street number and name, town/city and postal code, country): гр. София 1052, ул. ‘Славянска’ № 8, Република България/8 Slavyanska Street, 1052 Sofia, Bulgaria.

9. Specific labelling rules

The rules on the labelling of spirit drinks with a geographical indication produced in Bulgaria and intended for the Bulgarian market are laid down in Articles 170(1) and 172(1) of the Wine and Spirits Act (ZVSN).

(1) OJ L 39, 13.2.2008, p. 16.