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

(2022/C 56/04)

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

‘Colinele Dobrogei’

PGI-RO-A0612-AM02

Date of communication: 3 November 2021

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1. Additions to the list of main wine grape varieties

New varieties have been added to the product specification for white, rosé and red wines. Semillon and Viognier have been included among the varieties that can be used to make white wines, while the list of varieties that can be used to make reds and rosés has been expanded to include Malbec, Mourvèdre, Negru de Drăgășani, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese, which are particularly favoured for making red wines with a good build-up of tannins coupled with a particularly fruity aromatic potential (of ripe red forest fruits).

Section IV of the product specification and point 7 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

2. Inclusion of the products made with the new varieties; changes to yields for certain wine grape varieties

Because new wine grape varieties are to be grown, the product specification needed to be amended to include the corresponding yields.

Moreover, the yields stated for other varieties listed in the product specification needed to be raised because – in the case of not only the new varieties but also other varieties – grape crops have been increasing in quantitative terms without any loss of the specific markers of quality of the PGI product.

This increase can be explained by the fact that some varieties have been planted as part of vineyard conversion/restructuring programmes involving the use of clonal selections capable of quantitative yields, and the specific conditions of the demarcated area (warm summers that ensure slow ripening, short-lived freezing or frosty spells, gently sloping hills, etc.) also help to produce maximum yields, averaging around 15 000 kg/ha.

Sections V and VI of the product specification and point 5.2 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

3. Addition of towns and villages to the demarcated geographical area

The product specification has been amended to include new towns and villages in the administrative territory of the counties of Constanța and Tulcea, where there is land planted with ‘noble varieties’ (Vitis vinifera) suitable for PGI quality. These new towns and villages are located near to, and have similar environmental and climatic conditions to, the towns and villages already listed for ‘Colinele Dobrogei’ PGI. They are listed in the national vineyard register with land under ‘noble’ vines and land planted with vines through EU-funded varietal conversion programmes.

Section III of the product specification and point 6 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

4. Derogation on winemaking outside the demarcated area

The practice of blending, performed in compliance with the applicable legislation, is now permitted in the product specification for this PGI.

A derogation has also been introduced to allow wines with this geographical indication to be made in the area in the proximity of the demarcated area, within the same administrative unit, within a neighbouring administrative unit or in neighbouring areas with geographical indications. The competent authority must be notified 48 hours in advance of exercising this derogation.

Section IX of the product specification and point 5.1 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

5. Addition of reference to how rosé wines are made

The product specification now also refers to the possibility of producing rosé wines from the grape varieties used for red winemaking, using the short maceration technique and preserving the characteristics of the variety or varieties used.

Section IX of the product specification and point 5.1 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

6. Addition of physical and chemical values for the wines

Since no maximum total alcoholic strength has been set for the PGI wines and reference to this parameter is mandatory, the product specification has been amended to refer to the limits laid down by the legislation.

Section XI of the product specification and point 4 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

7. Inclusion of the organoleptic characteristics of wines made using the new grape varieties

As new varieties have been added to the list of winemaking grapes, the product specification has also been amended to include the organoleptic characteristics of PGI wines made using these new varieties.

Section XI of the product specification and point 2 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

8. Inclusion of rules on conditioning, bottling, presentation and labelling of wines

The product specification has been amended to include a derogation from the requirement that the wines be conditioned and bottled in the demarcated area. These processes can now be also carried within the same administrative unit, within a neighbouring administrative unit or in neighbouring areas with geographical indications, in which case either the producer or the bottler and place of bottling must be identified on the label as appropriate.

On the subject of bottling, and in response to commercial demands from the EU/export market, the product specification has also been amended to allow bulk sales of PGI ‘Colinele Dobrogei’ wines. The competent authority will have to be notified of bulk consignments, which must be accompanied by the applicable paperwork as well as the document proving their entitlement to use the PGI.

In the interests of clarification, the product specification now also includes further details on mandatory and optional labelling information.

Section XII of the product specification and point 9 of the single document have been amended accordingly.

9. Revision of the rules for wine produced in the event of non-conformity being detected

To deal with cases where the producer’s assessment of whether the wine produced has the PGI-specific properties and characteristics finds that it needs to be classified under a different quality category, the product specification needs to contain rules for that re-classification when the wine made under the PGI no longer meets the standard.

Section IV of the product specification has therefore been amended. This single document is not affected.

10. Revision of information on checks by the competent authority

The information given in the product specification on how the competent authority performs winegrowing and winemaking compliance checks has been revised in the interests of clarity.

Section XV of the product specification has therefore been amended. This single document is not affected.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1. Name(s)

Colinele Dobrogei

2. Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected geographical indication

3. Categories of grapevine product

1. Wine

4. Description of the wine(s)

1. White and rosé wines

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

White and rosé wines

Colour: greenish-yellow, sometimes tending to golden, straw yellow, pale/medium salmon pink. Smell and taste: aroma of freshly mown hay, acacia flowers, a bouquet with hints of sweet almond; good build-up of sugars gives the wines a full-bodied, rounded character, with notes of peach, apricot and mango; balanced taste without the fullness of body standing out; on the nose the wines have notes of meadow flowers, honey, toast, roses, with a slight hint of citrus typical in aromatic varieties and lasting notes of honeycomb in aged wines (with aromatic varieties).

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

15,00

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

10,00

Minimum total acidity

3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

18

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

200

2. Red wines

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Red wines

Colour: Ruby red, garnet red, purplish red, dark red. Smell and taste: the accumulation of intensity of colour brings fresh aromas of forest fruit, hints of prune, a velvety mouthfeel and unctuousness, aromas of fresh raspberry, redcurrant, cranberry, sour cherry, cloves, blackberries and blueberries; the wines have tannic structure and character, with a developed bouquet of blueberries and cloves, with peppery/seasoned notes, vanilla with short ageing, black cherry, and optimum acidity; they are suitable for ageing in oak barrels.

GENERAL ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

15,00

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

10,00

Minimum total acidity

3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

20

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

150

5. Wine-making practices

5.1. Specific oenological practices

1. Production outside demarcated area

Relevant restriction on making the wines

‘Colinele Dobrogei’ PGI wines may also be made in the area in the proximity of the demarcated area, within the same administrative unit, within a neighbouring administrative unit or in neighbouring areas with geographical indications. The National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVPV) must be notified 48 hours in advance of exercising this derogation.

2. Production practice

Specific oenological practice

Blending is permitted. It must be performed in compliance with current legislation.

3. Oenological practice

Specific oenological practice

Rosé wines may also be made from the grape varieties used for red winemaking, using the short maceration technique and preserving the characteristics of the variety or varieties used to make the reds.

5.2. Maximum yields

1. Petit Verdot, Sangiovese grapes

14 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

2. Viognier grapes

14 500 kilograms of grapes per hectare

3. Negru de Drăgășani grapes

15 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

4. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvèdre grapes

15 400 kilograms of grapes per hectare

5. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris grapes

16 300 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6. Semillon grapes

16 600 kilograms of grapes per hectare

7. Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Burgund mare, Băbească Neagră grapes

17 100 kilograms of grapes per hectare

8. Sauvignon, Riesling italian, Riesling de Rhin, Merlot, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă, Tămâioasă Românească grapes

18 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

9. Traminer aromat, Traminer roz, Crâmpoşie, Columna, Aligoté, Iordană, Aromat de Iaşi, Rkaţiteli grapes

18 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

10. Saint Emilion, Novac, Mamaia, Cristina, Alicante Bouschet grapes

18 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

11. Petit Verdot, Sangiovese

105 hectolitres per hectare

12. Viognier

109 hectolitres per hectare

13. Negru de Drăgășani

112 hectolitres per hectare

14. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvèdre

115 hectolitres per hectare

15. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris

122 hectolitres per hectare

16. Semillon

124 hectolitres per hectare

17. Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Burgund mare, Băbească Neagră

128 hectolitres per hectare

18. Sauvignon, Riesling Italian, Riesling de Rhin, Merlot, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă, Tămâioasă Românească

135 hectolitres per hectare

19. Traminer roz, Traminer aromat, Crâmpoşie, Columna, Aligoté, Iordană, Aromat de Iaşi, Rkaţiteli

135 hectolitres per hectare

20. Saint Emilion, Novac, Mamaia, Cristina, Alicante Bouschet

135 hectolitres per hectare

6. Demarcated geographical area

Constanța county

— Town of Murfatlar – Murfatlar, Siminoc;

— Commune of Valu lui Traian – village of Valu lui Traian;

— Commune of Poarta Albă – villages of Poarta Albă and Nazarcea;

— Town of Ovidiu – commune of Ovidiu, village of Poiana;

— Commune of Ciocârlia – village of Ciocârlia;

— Town of Medgidia – Medgidia, Remus Opreanu, Valea Dacilor;

— Commune of Castelu – villages of Castelu, Cuza Vodă, Nisipari;

— Commune of Siliştea – village of Siliştea;

— Commune of Tortoman – village of Tortoman;

— Commune of Peştera – villages of Peştera, Ivrinezu Mi;.

— Commune of Mircea Voda – villages of Mircea Voda, Satu Nou, Ţibrinu, Saligny, Stefan cel Mare, Gherghina;

— Commune of Adamclisi – villages of Adamclisi, Abrud, Haţeg, Urluia, Zorile;

— Town of Cernavodă – commune of Cernavodă;

— Commune of Seimeni – village of Seimeni, Seimenii Mici;

— Commune of Rasova – villages of Rasova, Cochirleni;

— Commune of Mihai Viteazu – villages of Mihai Viteazu, Sinoie;

— Commune of Istria – villages of Istria, Nuntaşi;

— Commune of Cogealac – villages of Cogealac, Tariverde, Fântânele;

— Town of Mangalia;

— Town of Hârşova;

— Commune of Chirnogeni – village of Chirnogeni;

— Commune of 23 August – village of 23 August;

— Commune of Horia – villages of Horia, Tichileşti;

— Commune of Crucea; – village of Crucea;

— Commune of Topalu; – village of Topalu;

— Commune of Ciobanu – village of Ciobanu;

— Commune of Gârliciu – village of Gârliciu;

— Commune of Saraiu; – Village of Saraiu;

— Commune of Cobadin – village of Viişoara;

Tulcea county

— Town of Babadag;

— Commune of Sarichioi – villages of Enisala, Visterna, Zebil, Sabangia;

— Commune of Valea Nucarilor – villages of Valea Nucarilor, Agighiol, Iazurile;

— Town of Tulcea;

— Commune of Ostrov – villages of Ostrov, Piatra;

— Commune of Somova – villages of Somova, Mineri, Parcheş;

— Commune of Niculiţel – village of Niculiţel;

— Commune of Izvoarele – villages of Izvoarele, Alba;

— Commune of Valea Teilor – village of Valea Teilor;

— Commune of Frecăţei – villages of Teliţa, Poşta;

— Town of Isacea;

— Commune of Luncaviţa – village of Luncaviţa;

— Commune of Văcăreni – village of Văcăreni;

— Commune of Jijila – village of Jijila;

— Town of Măcin;

— Commune of Greci; – village of Greci;

— Commune of Cerna; – village of Cerna;

— Commune of Carcaliu – village of Carcaliu.

7. Main wine grape variety(ies)

Alicante Bouschet N - Alicante Henri Bouschet

Aligoté B - Plant de trois, Plant gris, Vert blanc, Troyen blanc

Aromat de Iași B

Burgund Mare N - Grosser burgunder, Grossburgunder, Blaufrankisch, Kekfrankos, Frankovka, Limberger

Băbească Neagră N - Grossmuttertraube, Hexentraube, Crăcana, Rară neagră, Căldăruşă, Serecsia

Cabernet Sauvignon N - Petit Vidure, Bourdeos tinto

Chardonnay B - Gentil blanc, Pinot blanc Chardonnay

Columna B

Cristina N

Crâmpoşie B

Fetească albă B - Păsărească albă, Poama Fetei, Madchentraube, Leanyka, Leanka

Fetească neagră N - Schwarze Madchentraube, Poama fetei neagră, Păsărească neagră, Coada rândunicii

Fetească regală B - Konigliche Madchentraube, Koningsast, Ktralyleanka, Dănăşană, Galbenă de Ardeal

Iordană B - Iordovană, Iordan

Malbec N - Cotes rouges, Pied de Perdrix, Plant d’Arles

Mamaia N

Merlot N - Bigney rouge

Mourvedre N

Muscat Ottonel B - Muscat Ottonel blanc

Negru de Drăgăşani N

Novac N

Petit Verdot N

Pinot Gris G - Affumé, Grau Burgunder, Grauburgunder, Grauer Mönch, Pinot cendré, Pinot Grigio, Ruländer

Pinot Noir N - Blauer Spätburgunder, Burgund Mic, Burgunder roter, Klävner Morillon Noir

Riesling de Rhin B - Weisser Riesling, White Riesling

Riesling Italian B - Olasz Riesling, Olaszriesling, Welschriesling

Rkatiteli B - Dedali Rkatiteli, Korolioc Rkatiteli

Saint Emilion B - Trebbiano Toscano, Ugni blanc

Sangiovese N - Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino

Sauvignon B - Sauvignon verde

Syrah N - Shiraz, Petit Syrah

Semillon B - Semillon blanc

Traminer Roz Rs - Rosetraminer, Savagnin roz, Gewürztraminer

Traminer aromat alb B

Tămâioasă românească B - Rumanische Weihrauchtraube, Tamianka

Viognier B - Petit Vionnier, Viogne, Galopine, Vugava bijela

8. Description of the link(s)

8.1. Details of the geographical area

The area is the territory of Dobrogea in south-eastern Romania, demarcated by the lower reaches of the Danube (to the west and north), the Black Sea (to the east) and the Bulgarian border (to the south). It is characterised by a predominance of plateau-type landforms with a loess substrate, and ecological, soil and climate conditions classified in the steppe and forest-steppe categories. Each of these components helps to create an ecological environment that is good for growing vines.

Most of the vineyards sit upon a geological substrate of loess (3-40 m thick), partially covering hard, ancient rock (pre-Paleozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Tertiary), autochthonous or displaced.

Northern Dobrogea is largely mountainous (highlands with sheltered depressions, ranging between 100 m and 467 m above sea level), whereas southern Dobrogea has a structural tabular plateau landscape (below 200-300 m). These two landscapes are separated by the broadly hilly erosional plateau of central Dobrogea (250-350 m).

This is the region of Romania where rainfall and groundwater are scarcest: availability is patchy, and the water is often more mineralised. Impoundment, harvesting and irrigation are used to mitigate this situation.

The typically continental climate is partly tempered by the proximity of the Black Sea and the Danube Marshes and Delta. The average annual temperature is around 11 °C with a temperature range of more than 25 °C between mean values for January and July, and more than 75 °C in terms of absolute extremes over several years. Average annual rainfall is often less than 400 mm. The benefits of the area are good thermal conditions: it is one of Romania’s warmest regions (with solar radiation of over 120-125 calories per square centimetre, sunshine duration of over 2 200 hours and daily average positive temperatures adding up to 4 000-4 200 °C over the year), which ensures that grapes can ripen and even become over-ripe.

Zonal is by far the dominant soil category found in the wine-growing areas: steppe mollisols (kastanozems and chernozems) and forest-steppe mollisols (calcic chernozems and, more rarely, clay-illuvial chernozems, rendzina and greyzems), mostly formed on a loess substrate.

8.2. Details of the product

‘Colinele Dobrogei’ PGI wines can be whites, reds or rosés.

The whites and rosés are limpid in appearance, and greenish-yellow to golden yellow, or pale or medium salmon-pink, with a velvety taste.

In terms of smell and taste, the majority of notes are floral. The wines have a good build-up of sugars and are well-rounded, with notes of honey, rose, citrus in aromatic varieties and sometimes honeycomb in aged wines made using aromatic varieties.

The reds have a velvety mouthfeel and are ruby red, garnet red, deep purplish red or dark red in colour.

The smell and taste feature the fresh aromas of well-ripened forest fruit, with hints of prune, a velvety mouthfeel and unctuousness, along with aromas of fresh raspberry, redcurrant, cranberry, blackberries and blueberries. The wines have tannic structure and character, and a bouquet of blueberries and cloves, and are sometimes markedly peppery, while short ageing brings vanilla aromas. They are suitable for ageing in oak barrels.

8.3. Causal interaction

The specificity of ‘Colinele Dobrogei’ PGI wines is imparted by the musts used to make them. This links back to the grape varieties, which benefit from high solar radiation – thermal conditions are among the warmest in Romania – and low rainfall. These factors help the grapes to ripen well, resulting in musts that are high in sugars. The influence of the sea makes itself felt in the area. It is particularly beneficial in the autumn because it acts as a temperature regulator. The Danube is an influential presence in Cernavodă, particularly on the vineyards closest to it. The soil, rich in calcium carbonate, is an important factor for wine quality. The quality of the wines is marked by the beneficial influence of the nearby Razim and Sinoe lakes and good soils for growing wines, along with the fact that the wines are balanced in alcohol and acidity and have well-expressed organoleptic characteristics (floral/forest fruits, seasoned notes).

9. Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Conditions applicable to finished product

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation on the production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Provided that the competent authorities are duly notified, the wines may be conditioned and bottled outside the area in which the grapes were grown.

These processes may take place within the same administrative unit, within a neighbouring administrative unit or in neighbouring areas with geographical indications.

In this case, the producer or the bottler and place of bottling must be identified on the label, as appropriate.

On the subject of bottling, and in response to commercial demands from the EU and export markets, bulk sales of PGI ‘Colinele Dobrogei’ wines are permitted.

The authorities must be notified of bulk consignments through the local inspection service. Bulk consignments must be accompanied by the applicable paperwork as well as the certificate proving entitlement to use the protected indication and market the wine.

Link to the product specification

https://www.onvpv.ro/sites/default/files/caiet_de_sarcini_ig_colinele_dobrogei_modif_cf_notificarii_1797_din_05.08.2016_cerere_3_2021_modif_anterioare_no_track_changes.pdf

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