Commission Implementing Decision of 27 November 2018 on the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of an application for amendment of a specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Cataluña/Catalunya (PDO))
Date: 2018-11-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Catalonia, Spain, designation of origin, fortified wine, labelling, product designation, red wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, white wine




C_2018437EN.01000501.xml










4.12.2018   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 437/5






COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION
of 27 November 2018
on the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of an application for amendment of a specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(Cataluña/Catalunya (PDO))
(2018/C 437/05)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (1), and in particular Article 97(3) thereof,
Whereas:






(1)


Spain has sent an application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.










(2)


The Commission has examined the application and concluded that the conditions laid down in Articles 93 to 96, Article 97(1), and Articles 100, 101 and 102 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 have been met.










(3)


In order to allow for the presentation of statements of opposition in accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ should be published in the Official Journal of the European Union,




HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article
The application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ (PDO), in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, is contained in the Annex to this Decision.
In accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the publication of this Decision confers the right to oppose the amendment of the specification referred to in the first paragraph of this Article within two months of the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.


Done at Brussels, 27 November 2018.


For the Commission

Phil HOGAN

Member of the Commission





(1)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.




ANNEX

‘CATALUÑA’/‘CATALUNYA’


PDO-ES-A1549-AM03


Date of application: 14.11.2016

REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
1.   Rules applicable to the amendment

Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council — Non-minor modification
2.   Description and reasons for amendment

2.1.   Enlargement of the production area

This amendment affects point 4 of the specification (Demarcation of the geographical area) and point 6 of the single document (Demarcated area).
It is a response to requests from the growers and wineries in the municipalities covered by the enlargement, which have for years been producing wines of demonstrated quality, under the same soil and climate conditions and with the same historical context as the rest of the municipalities that formed the production area at the time when this Designation of Origin was created.
This has been demonstrated by a technical analysis commissioned for the purpose (Estudio de aptitud del territorio de Catalunya para el cultivo de la vid, según factores edafoclimáticos e históricos. Propuesta de sectorización de la DO CATALUNYA [‘Study on the suitability of the land in Catalonia for vine-growing, according to soil, climate and historical factors. Sector division proposal for PDO ‘CATALUÑA’/‘CATALUNYA’], Limonium, 2014). According to that study, the soils of the newly incorporated municipalities (in terms of their composition, texture and structure), the climate factors that condition them (temperature, rainfall, sunshine, temperature range, evapotranspiration/water deficit and frosts), and an identical human factor (history and culture) guarantee that the organoleptic profile of the wines produced is identical to that defined in the product specification for each of the product categories.
The enlargement concerns the following 74 municipalities:






 


Aguilar de Segarra










 


Albagés, l'










 


Albons










 


Alfarràs










 


Arenys de Mar










 


Arenys de Munt










 


Badalona










 


Baronia de Rialb, la










 


Bellcaire d'Empordà










 


Bigues i Riells










 


Bisbal d'Empordà, la










 


Bovera










 


Bruc, el










 


Cabacés










 


Cabrera de Mar










 


Calella










 


Canonja, la










 


Capafons










 


Cardedeu










 


Castellolí










 


Conca de Dalt










 


Corçà










 


Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura










 


Febró, la










 


Franqueses del Vallès










 


Gaià










 


Gimenells i el Pla de la Font










 


Granollers










 


Ivars d'Urgell










 


Ivars de Noguera










 


Juncosa










 


Llardecans










 


Lliçà d'Amunt










 


Llorenç del Penedès










 


Lloret de Mar










 


Maials










 


Marçà










 


Massoteres










 


Mataró










 


Mont-ral










 


Mont-ras










 


Mont-roig del Camp










 


Os de Balaguer










 


Pla del Penedès, el










 


Pobla de Segur, la










 


Prades










 


Salàs de Pallars










 


Sant Cebrià de Vallalta










 


Sant Feliu de Buixalleu










 


Sant Feliu de Codines










 


Sant Feliu de Guíxols










 


Sant Iscle de Vallalta










 


Sant Jordi Desvalls










 


Sant Llorenç Savall










 


Sant Martí Vell










 


Sant Pol de Mar










 


Sentmenat










 


Siurana d'Empordà










 


Sort










 


Tallada d'Empordà










 


Tivissa










 


Tordera










 


Torrefarrera










 


Tortellà










 


Ullà










 


Vallgorguina










 


Vandellós i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant










 


Ventalló










 


Vilademuls










 


Vilamalla










 


Vilanova de Prades










 


Vilassar de Mar










 


Vilopriu










 


Vinyols i els Arcs




2.2.   Lower acidity

This amendment affects point 2.1.3 of the specification (Physical and chemical properties) and point 4 of the single document (Description of the wine(s)).
Total tartaric acid has been reduced because in recent harvests it has become increasingly difficult for wineries to reach the established threshold. Products often failed to pass analytical checks, despite scoring high in organoleptic testing. It was therefore decided that the minimum total acidity would be reduced to the value laid down in EU rules.
As a result, the minimum total acidity value has been reduced to 3,5 g/l, expressed in tartaric acid, for the three categories of product, irrespective of colour.
2.3.   Changes to alcoholic strength limits for the wine and semi-sparkling wine product categories

The removal of the actual alcoholic strength ceiling is inversely linked to the previous point. As the climate becomes hotter and drier with each passing year, total acidity drops and the alcoholic strength of the wines — particularly red wines — increases.
Although at first glance it may seem incongruous to eliminate the upper limit for one value and reduce the limit for the other, these changes have been requested for different product types, albeit from the same category.
Nowadays, to obtain the necessary quality in wines intended for ageing, a good phenolic ripeness of the skin and pips is essential. It is a well-known fact that phenolic ripeness often lags behind sugar ripeness (i.e. the sugar-to-acid ratio in the pulp). As a result of climate change — today undisputed among the scientific community — a growing gap between sugar ripeness and phenolic ripeness is becoming increasingly frequent. This results in pulp with a high sugar concentration at harvest, meaning that the resulting wine has a higher alcohol content.
In young and semi-sparkling wines, however, the preference has been gradually shifting to lower alcoholic strengths. As prolonged soaking with the skins is not required for the production of young wines, a lack of phenolic ripeness is not as decisive as it is for wines intended for ageing.
As a result:






—


The maximum actual alcoholic strength of 15 % vol. has been removed (changing point 2.1.1. of the specification but not affecting the single document).










—


The maximum total volumetric alcohol content laid down in EU legislation is applied (changing point 2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document).










—


The minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume is reduced to 4,5 % vol. for white, rosé and red wines entitled to use the qualifier xispejant (changing point 2.1.1. of the specification and point 4 of the single document).










—


Minimum actual strength and total alcoholic strength are reduced for semi-sparkling wines (changing point 2.1.2 of the specification and point 4 of the single document).




2.4.   Introduction of the labelling term Xispejant

This amendment affects point 8.3 of the specification (Presentation and labelling of products) and point 9 of the single document (Essential further conditions). An organoleptic description is introduced in point 2.2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document.
The qualifier xispejant is intended to be used to label some of the young wines with a lower alcoholic strength. The aim is to attract new consumers, preferably from the 20-30 age group (who will undoubtedly be responsible for carrying on the wine-drinking tradition in the future).
The term is to be used to evoke a lower-alcohol product with residual sugars and a slight presence of naturally occurring carbon dioxide (the Catalan word xispejant means ‘tangy’). These wines are therefore accessible and easy to drink, ideal for the first-time consumer whose tastes will later become more sophisticated and move on to other more serious, complex wines.
Catalan society has a historical and cultural link with wines featuring naturally occurring carbon dioxide, as demonstrated by the fact that the specification already features a ‘semi-sparkling wine’ category, and by Catalonia's major sparkling wine production industry, whose origins date back to the first half of the nineteenth century.
2.5.   Increase in barrel capacity

This amendment affects point 2 of the specification (Product description), for wines labelled with the words Barrica (‘Barrel’) or Roble (‘Oak’). It does not affect the single document.
Barrel capacity is increased from the current limit of 330 litres to 600 litres, the maximum volume at which, under the prevailing Spanish rules, the words Barrica and Roble can be used in labelling and presentation to describe the ageing of PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ products.
The maximum capacity currently stated in the specification, 330 litres, presents an obstacle to the competitiveness of PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ wineries vis-à-vis other designations of origin. The cost of ageing per litre of wine is higher with the current maximum barrel volume than it would be with 600-litre barrels.
Besides, the market trend is shifting towards wines that are less influenced by wood. Increasing barrel capacity reduces the ratio of inner surface to volume of wine stored, therefore also reducing the aromas and tannins contributed by the wood per litre of wine.
2.6.   Removal of planting density rules

This amendment affects point 3 of the specification (Specific cultivation and oenological practices) and point 5 of the single document (Wine-making practices).
Until now, planting density has been restricted to between 1 800 vines per hectare (minimum) and 4 500 vines per hectare (maximum). However, it is considered that the production yields laid down in the specification already provide enough control, and so the planting density rules should be removed.
2.7.   Maximum total alcoholic strength

This amendment affects point 2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document (Description of the wine(s)).
Any values that are not expressly stated must be compliant the established legal limits, and the descriptions of the various categories of wine include general statements to the effect that the limits laid down in EU law apply.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Registered name

‘Cataluña’
‘Catalunya’
2.   Geographical indication type

PDO — Protected Designation of Origin
3.   Categories of grapevine products









1.


Wine












3.


Liqueur wine












8.


Semi-sparkling wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)


Wine — Whites

These wines are modern and innovative. Their colour ranges from pale yellow with greenish hints to intense golden tones. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, and they are more or less structured depending on vine yield. They feature moderate acidity and a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. Floral and/or fruity notes are predominant in the younger wines, while wood-ageing lends the matured wines tertiary aromas characterised by vanilla and even toasted tones. The young wines are light and fresh, while the more mature wines are more unctuous and reminiscent of the barrels in which they are aged.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: 200 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 250 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher.
General analytical characteristics






Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


10




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)


 





Wine — Rosés

These wines are modern and innovative. Their colour ranges from bright red with an iridescent violet sheen to intermediate orange tones to onion skins. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, and they are more or less structured depending on vine yield. They have a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. These wines are light, fresh and balanced.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: 200 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 250 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher.
General analytical characteristics






Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


10,5 




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)


 





Wine — Reds

Depending on ageing, their colour ranges from an intense cherry colour to faint ruby with a hint of ochre. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, with the extent of their structure depending on the vine yield. They feature moderate acidity and a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. The young wines are light and full of flavour, whereas fermenting and/or ageing in wooden barrels leads to well-rounded and longer-lasting wines that are mild but structured.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Volatile acidity may exceed 1 mEq/l for each degree of alcoholic strength in excess of 11 % and year of ageing, up to 20 mEq/l.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: 150 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 200 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher.
General analytical characteristics






Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


11,5 




Minimum total acidity


3,5  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)


 





Wine — Lower-alcohol whites, rosés and reds (xispejant)

See the descriptions of whites, rosés and reds above.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: if the sugar content is below 5 g/l, 200 mg/l for whites and rosés and 150 mg/l for reds; if the sugar content is 5 g/l or above, 250 mg/l for whites and rosés and 200 mg/l for reds.
General analytical characteristics






Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


4,5 




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)


 





Semi-sparkling wine

The characteristics must be the same as those described in the above paragraphs for the wine colour in question, but with the added presence of bubbles. The wines are balanced and fresh, with a slight tingling sensation due to the release of carbon dioxide.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: if the sugar content is below 5 g/l, 200 mg/l for whites and rosés and 150 mg/l for reds; if the sugar content is 5 g/l or above, 250 mg/l for whites and rosés and 200 mg/l for reds.
General analytical characteristics






Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


7




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)


 





Liqueur wines

Liqueur wines range from opaque, intense colours to the more evolved tones described for whites and reds, even reaching amber shades depending on maturity. The wines have a slight warmth, with more fruity aromas in those not subject to wood-ageing, while aldehyde and nut flavours characterise the more mature wines. They are warm, unctuous and persistent.
Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply.
Volatile acidity may exceed 1 mEq/l for each degree of alcoholic strength in excess of 11 % and year of ageing, up to 20 mEq/l.
Maximum sulphur dioxide: 150 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 200 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher.
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)


 




5.   Wine making practices

a.   Specific oenological practices

Relevant restriction on making wines
The utmost care must be exercised when harvesting the grapes. The wines covered by this PDO may only be made with healthy grapes that are ripe enough to produce wines with a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 9,5 % vol. or above for zone CII and 10 % vol. or above for zone CIII, as required by EU legislation.
Appropriate pressure is applied to extract the must or wine and separate it from the grape skins, ensuring that no more than 70 litres of wine are yielded from every 100 kg of harvested grapes.
b.   Maximum yields

White varieties
12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
White varieties
84 hectolitres per hectare
Red varieties
10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
Red varieties
70 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated area







 


Abrera










 


Agramunt: former annexed district of Montclar










 


Aguilar de Segarra










 


Agullana










 


Aiguamúrcia










 


Albagés, l'










 


Albi, l'










 


Albiol, l'










 


Albons










 


Aleixar, l'










 


Alfarràs










 


Alcarràs: parcels 9022, 9017 and 9005 of cadastral polygon 6 and parcels 3, 57, 9001, 9003, 9004, 9007 and 9027 of cadastral polygon 15










 


Albinyana










 


Alcover










 


Alella










 


Alforja










 


Algerri










 


Alió










 


Almacelles: Parcels 25, 180, 193 and 196 of cadastral polygon 5










 


Almenar










 


Almoster










 


Alòs de Balaguer










 


Alpicat










 


Altafulla










 


Ametlla de Mar, l'










 


Almetlla de Segarra, l'










 


Arbeca










 


Arboç, l'










 


Arenys de Mar










 


Arenys de Munt










 


Argentera, l'










 


Argentona










 


Arnes










 


Artés










 


Artesa de Segre










 


Ascó










 


Avinyó










 


Avinyonet de Penedès










 


Avinyonet de Puigventós










 


Badalona










 


Balaguer










 


Balsareny










 


Banyeres del Penedès










 


Barbera de la Conca










 


Barcelona: parcel 1 of cadastral polygon 1










 


Baronia de Rialb










 


Batea










 


Begues










 


Begur










 


Belianes










 


Bellaguarda










 


Bellcaire d'Empordà










 


Bellmunt del Priorat










 


Bellprat










 


Bellvei










 


Benissanet










 


Bigues i Riells










 


Bisbal d'Empordà, la










 


Bisbal del Penedès, la










 


Bisbal de Falset, la










 


Biure










 


Blancafort










 


Boadella i les Escaules Bonastre










 


Borges Blanques, las: parcels 30 and 96 of cadastral polygon 9; parcels 114, 165 and 167 of cadastral polygon 21, and parcels 118, 119 and 120 of cadastral polygon 22










 


Borges del Camp, les










 


Bot










 


Botarell










 


Bovera










 


Bràfim










 


Bruc, el










 


Cabacés










 


Cabanes










 


Cabanyes, les










 


Cabassers










 


Cabra del Camp










 


Cabrera d'Igualada










 


Cabrera de Mar










 


Cabrils










 


Cadaqués










 


Calafell










 


Calders










 


Caldes de Montbui: parcel 57 of cadastral polygon 1 and parcel 12 of cadastral polygon 2










 


Calella










 


Callús










 


Calonge










 


Cambrils










 


Canonja, la










 


Canovelles










 


Cantallops










 


Canyelles










 


Capafons










 


Capellades










 


Capçanes










 


Capmany










 


Cardedeu










 


Cardona










 


Carme










 


Caseres










 


Castell-Platja d'Aro










 


Castell de Mur: annexed districts of Cellers and Guardia de Tremp










 


Castellbisbal










 


Castellet i la Gornal










 


Castellfollit del Boix










 


Castellgalí










 


Castellnou de Bages










 


Castelló de Farfanya










 


Castellolí










 


Castellvell del Camp










 


Castellví de la Marca










 


Castellví de Rosanes










 


Catllar, el










 


Cervelló










 


Cervià de les Garrigues










 


Cistella










 


Ciutadilla










 


Colera










 


Collbató










 


Colldejou










 


Conca de Dalt










 


Conesa










 


Constantí










 


Copons










 


Corbera de Llobregat










 


Corçà










 


Corbera d'Ebre










 


Cornudella de Montsant










 


Creixell










 


Cruïlles; Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura










 


Cubells: parcel 90 of cadastral polygon 7










 


Cubelles










 


Cunit










 


Darnius










 


Duesaigües










 


Esparraguera










 


Espluga Calba, l'










 


Espluga de Francolí, l'










 


Espolla










 


Falset










 


Fatarella, la










 


Febró, la










 


Figuera, la










 


Figueres










 


Figuerola del Camp










 


Flix










 


Floresta, la










 


Fogars de Montclús










 


Fonollosa










 


Font-rubí










 


Foradada










 


Forallac










 


Forés










 


Franqueses del Vallès










 


Fulleda










 


Gaià










 


Gandesa










 


Garcia










 


Garidells, els










 


Garriguella










 


Gavet de la Conca and its annexed districts Sant Cristofol de la Vall, Sant Martí de Barcedana and Sant Miquel de la Vall










 


Gelida










 


Gimenells i el Pla de la Font










 


Ginestar










 


Granada, la










 


Granollers










 


Granyanella










 


Granyena de Segarra










 


Gratallops










 


Guiamets, els










 


Guimerà










 


Horta de Sant Joan










 


Hostalets de Pierola, els










 


Igualada










 


Isona i Conca Dellà and its annexed districts Conques, Figuerola d'Orcau, Orcau-Basturs and Sant Romà d'Abella










 


Ivars d'Urgell










 


Ivars de Noguera










 


Jonquera, la










 


Jorba










 


Juncosa










 


Juneda: parcel 487 of cadastral polygon 5, parcels 14, 15, 16, 33, 34 and 37 of cadastral polygon 12, and parcels 3, 4 and 5 of cadastral polygon 13










 


Llacuna, la










 


Llançà










 


Llardecans










 


Lleida: annexed districts of Raimat and Sucs










 


Llers










 


Lliçà d'Amunt










 


Llimiana










 


Lloar, el










 


Llorenç del Penedès










 


Lloret de Mar










 


Maials










 


Maldà










 


Manresa










 


Marçà










 


Margalef










 


Marsà










 


Martorell










 


Martorelles










 


Masarac










 


Masllorenç










 


Masnou, el










 


Masó, la










 


Maspujols










 


Masquefa










 


Masroig, el










 


Massoteres










 


Mataró










 


Mediona










 


Menàrguens










 


Milà, el










 


Miravet










 


Molar, el










 


Mollet de Peralada










 


Montgat










 


Monistrol de Calders










 


Montblanc










 


Montbrió del Camp










 


Montferri










 


Montmell, el










 


Montoliu de Segarra










 


Montornès de Segarra










 


Montornès del Vallès










 


Mont-ral










 


Mont-ras










 


Mont-roig del Camp










 


Móra d'Ebre










 


Móra la Nova










 


Morell










 


Morera de Montsant, la, and its annexed district Scala-dei










 


Mura










 


Nalec










 


Navarcles










 


Navàs










 


Nou de Gaiá, la










 


Nulles










 


Òdena










 


Olèrdola










 


Olesa de Bonesvalls










 


Olivella










 


Omells de na Gaia, els










 


Omellons, els










 


Orpí










 


Òrrius










 


Os de Balaguer










 


Pacs del Penedès










 


Palafrugell










 


Palamós










 


Palau-sator










 


Palau-saverdera










 


Pallaresos, els










 


Palma d'Ebre, la










 


Pals










 


Pau










 


Pedret i Marzà










 


Penelles










 


Perafort










 


Peralada










 


Perelló, el










 


Piera










 


Pinell de Brai, el










 


Pira










 


Pla de la Font, el










 


Pla de Santa Maria, el










 


Pla del Penedès, el










 


Pla del Penedès










 


Pobla de Cérvoles, la










 


Pobla de Claramunt, la










 


Pobla de Mafumet, la










 


Pobla de Massaluca, la










 


Pobla de Montornès, la










 


Pobla de Segur










 


Poboleda










 


Pont d'Armentera, el










 


Pont de Molins,










 


Pont de Vilomara i Rocafort, el










 


Pontons










 


Porrera










 


Port de la Selva, el










 


Portbou










 


Pradell de la Teixeta, el










 


Prades










 


Prat del Compte










 


Preixana










 


Preixens










 


Premià de Dalt










 


Premià de Mar










 


Puigdàlber










 


Puigpelat










 


Querol










 


Rabós










 


Rajadell










 


Rasquera










 


Regencós










 


Renau










 


Reus










 


Riba-roja d'Ebre










 


Riera de Gaià, la










 


Riudecanyes










 


Riudecols










 


Riudoms










 


Riumors










 


Roca del Vallès, la










 


Roda de Barà










 


Rodonyà










 


Rocafort de Queralt










 


Roses










 


Rourell, el










 


Sabadell: ‘Can Gambús’, a two-hectare estate with the cadastral reference number 28003001 DG2020A










 


Salàs de Pallars










 


Sallent










 


Salomó










 


Sant Cebrià de Vallalta










 


Sant Climent Sescebes










 


Sant Cugat de Sesgarrigues










 


Sant Esteve Sesrovires










 


Sant Feliu de Buixalleu










 


Sant Feliu de Codines










 


Sant Feliu de Guíxols










 


Sant Fost de Campsentelles










 


Sant Fruitós de Bages










 


Sant Iscle de Vallalta










 


Sant Jaume dels Domenys










 


Sant Joan de Vilatorrada










 


Sant Jordi Desvalls










 


Sant Llorenç Savall










 


Sant Llorens d'Hortons










 


Sant Martí de Riucorb










 


Sant Martí de Tous










 


Sant Martí Sarroca










 


Sant Martí Vell










 


Sant Mateu de Bages










 


Sant Pere de Ribes










 


Sant Pere de Riudebitlles










 


Sant Pol de Mar










 


Sant Quintí de Mediona










 


Sant Sadurní d'Anoia










 


Sant Salvador de Guardiola










 


Santa Cristina d'Aro










 


Santa Margarida i els Monjos










 


Santa Maria de Miralles










 


Santa Maria d'Oló










 


Santa Oliva










 


Santa Fe del Penedès










 


Santa Maria de Martorelles










 


Santa Margarida de Montbui










 


Santpedor










 


Sarral










 


Secuita, la










 


Selva del Camp, la










 


Selva de Mar, la










 


Senan










 


Sentmenat










 


Sitges










 


Siurana d'Empordà










 


Solivella










 


Sort










 


Subirats










 


Súria










 


Talamanca










 


Talarn










 


Tallada d'Empordà










 


Tarragona










 


Tàrrega










 


Tarrés










 


Teià










 


Terrades










 


Tiana










 


Tivissa










 


Tordera










 


Torrebesses: parcels 247 and 283 of cadastral polygon 6










 


Torre de Claramunt, la










 


Torre de Fontaubella, la










 


Torre de l'Espanyol, la










 


Torredembarra










 


Torrefarrera










 


Torrelavit










 


Torrelles de Foix










 


Torrent










 


Torroella de Montgrí










 


Torroja del Priorat










 


Tortellà










 


Tremp (former municipality) and its annexed districts Gurb, Palau de Noguera, Puigcercós, Suterranya and Vilamitjana










 


Ullà










 


Ulldemolins










 


Vallbona de les Monges










 


Vallbona d'Anoia










 


Vallclara










 


Vallfogona de Riucorb










 


Vallgorguina










 


Vallirana










 


Vall-llobrega










 


Vallromanes










 


Valls










 


Vandellós i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant










 


Vallmoll










 


Vendrell, el










 


Ventalló










 


Verdú










 


Vespella










 


Vilademuls










 


Vila-rodona










 


Vilafant










 


Vilafranca del Penedès










 


Vilagrassa: parcel 92 of cadastral polygon 4










 


Vilajuïga










 


Vilalba dels Arcs










 


Vilallonga del Camp










 


Vilamalla










 


Vilamaniscle










 


Vilanant










 


Vilanova del Camí










 


Vilanova d'Escornalbou










 


Vilanova de Prades










 


Vilanova i la Geltrú










 


Vilanova del Vallès










 


Vila-seca










 


Vilassar de Dalt










 


Vilassar de Mar










 


Vilabella










 


Vilaverd










 


Vilella Alta, la










 


Vilella Baixa, la










 


Vilosell, el










 


Vilobí del Penedès










 


Vilopriu










 


Vimbodí










 


Vinaixa










 


Vinebre










 


Vinyols i els Ares




7.   Main wine grapes







 


PARELLADA — MONTONEC










 


PARELLADA — MONTONEGA










 


XAREL LO — PANSAL










 


XAREL LO — PANSA BLANCA










 


XAREL LO — CARTOIXA










 


GARNACHA TINTA — LLADONER




8.   Description of the link(s)


Wines

The marked Mediterranean influence produces smooth, dense wines, with relatively low acidity, a high alcohol content and aromas that, particularly in the case of red wines, improve with age. The bright sunshine enjoyed by our region boosts the development of the intense colours — red in particular — that are so typical of our wines.
Silt and loam are the predominant soil textures, lending body and structure to both white and red varieties and producing reds with even more colour.
The broad range of varieties of grape existing in Catalonia is even more proof of the openness to the world that has always characterised Catalans. It is also the reflection of a long history of wine-making in the region. According to a quote from Pere Gil dating back to 1600: ‘Wines are made throughout Catalonia, in both maritime and Mediterranean areas… The wines of Catalonia are typically strong and very good. They make all kinds of wines…’ Jaume Ciurana (1980) described a basic unity in all Catalan wines, which gives a common characteristic to all of them: dedication, desire for improvement and a spirit of achievement in the people that made them.

Semi-sparkling wines

The chalky soils produce wines that are vibrant, aromatic and extremely refined.
Bringing forward the harvesting date makes it possible to obtain a lower alcoholic strength and greater acidity. Coupled with the presence of naturally occurring carbon dioxide, this gives the wines their characteristic refreshing sensation.
Catalan society has a historical and cultural link with wines featuring naturally occurring carbon dioxide, as demonstrated by Catalonia's major sparkling wine production industry, whose origins date back to the first half of the nineteenth century.

Liqueur wines

The marked Mediterranean influence and the texture of the soils already described for the wine category act in the same way in liqueur wines under the PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’, giving them a great deal of intensity in colour and aroma, body and medium to low acidity.
Liqueur wines are frequently the digestif of choice at many Catalan tables, with this type of wine paired with assorted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts) and dried fruit (raisins, figs, apricots) in the traditional Catalan dessert known as ‘postres de músic’ (‘musician's dessert’).
9.   Essential further conditions


Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The term xispejant may optionally be included on the labels of whites, rosés or reds with lower alcoholic strength produced by deliberately interrupting fermentation.

Link to the product specification

http://goo.gl/Plwa75