Publication of an application for a Union amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector pursuant to Article 97(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council 2021/C 313/08
Date: 2021-08-05
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Italy, Veneto, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, sparkling wine, white wine








C_2021313EN.01002501.xml










5.8.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 313/25






Publication of an application for a Union amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector pursuant to Article 97(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(2021/C 313/08)
This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within two months from the date of this publication.
APPLICATION FOR A UNION AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

‘SOAVE’


PDO-IT-A0472-AM04


Date of application: 21 March 2019

1.   Applicant and legitimate interest

Consorzio Tutela Vini Soave e Recioto di Soave
Associazione di produttori della DOP Soave
2.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)







☐


Name of product










☐


Category of the grapevine product










☐


Link










☒


Marketing restrictions




3.   Description and reasons for amendment

Provisions for bottling within the defined geographical area

Heading in the specification affected by the amendment

Article 5(1)

Description and reasons

The amendment concerns the provision on bottling in the demarcated production area.
In making this amendment, the producers of ‘Soave’ PDO aim to rectify a shortcoming in the original text of the product specification approved at the end of 1968, a time when the general rules on national or EU designations of origin specified that bottling and packaging had to take place in the demarcated area. This general rule was introduced following the Judgment of the European Court of Justice of 16 May 2000, case C-388/95.
The reason for the amendment is the need to preserve the quality of ‘Soave’ PDO wines, guarantee their origin and ensure that controls are effective and timely.
It appears that transportation and bottling outside the production area can compromise the quality of ‘Soave’ wine, as it could be exposed to redox reactions, sudden changes in temperature and microbiological contamination. These phenomena in particular can have negative effects on the physico-chemical (minimum total acidity, minimum sugar-free extract, etc.) and organoleptic (colour, aroma and taste) characteristics.
These risks are all the more serious the greater the distance covered. However, bottling in the area of origin helps preserve the characteristics and the quality of the product, given that the wine consignments are not transported at all or only short distances.
These aspects, together with the experience and deep technical-scientific knowledge of the particular qualities of the wines acquired by the producers of the ‘Soave’ designation of origin over the years, enable bottling to be completed in the area of origin with the best technological precautions with a view to preserving all of the physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the wines covered by the specification.
Another objective of bottling in the production area is to ensure that the competent body can carry out its monitoring duties with maximum efficiency, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. These requirements cannot be assured to the same extent outside the production area.
The control body that performs the annual check on compliance with the provisions of the specification can very swiftly schedule the inspection visits to all of the undertakings involved in the production area at the time that ‘Soave’ wine is being bottled, in accordance with the respective inspection plan.
The goal is to systematically ensure that only consignments of ‘Soave’ wine that have first been certified as having passed the physico-chemical and organoleptic tests performed by the inspection body can be bottled. This makes it possible to achieve better results in terms of the efficacy of the checks, at a limited cost to the producers, with a view to offering consumers the maximum guarantees regarding the authenticity of the wine.
The amendment concerns section 1.9 of the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name of product

Soave
2.   Geographical indication type

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







1.


Wine










5.


Quality sparkling wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)


‘Soave’ (including ‘Soave’ classico and ‘Soave’ Colli scaligeri)

colour: straw yellow sometimes tending towards greenish;
aroma: characteristic with intense, delicate aroma;
taste: dry, medium-bodied and harmonious, slightly bitter;
minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 10,5 % vol. for ‘Soave’ and 11,0 % vol. for ‘Soave Classico’ and for ‘Soave Colli Scaligeri’;
minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l for ‘Soave’ and 16,0 g/l for ’Soave Classico’ and for ’Soave Colli Scaligeri’;
Any analytical parameters not shown in the table below comply with the limits laid down in national and EU legislation.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum total acidity


4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 





‘Soave spumante’ (including ‘Soave’ spumante Classico and ‘Soave’ spumante Colli Scaligeri

foam: fine and long-lasting;
colour: straw yellow sometimes tending towards bright greenish;
aroma: characteristic with intense, delicate aroma;
taste: medium-bodied, harmonious, slightly bitter in the extra brut or brut or extra dry or dry types;
minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11 % vol.;
minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l
Any analytical parameters not shown in the table below comply with the limits laid down in national and EU legislation.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum total acidity


5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 




5.   Wine making practices

a.   Specific oenological practices

Italian sparkling-wine-making method (autoclave) or classical method
Specific oenological practice
Natural re-fermentation in autoclaves, using the Charmat or Martinotti method, or the classical method (secondary fermentation in the bottle) in accordance with the rules in force on the production of sparkling wines.
b.   Maximum yields

Soave, Soave spumante
15 000 kg of grapes per hectare
Soave Classico, and spumante ‘Soave Colli Scaligeri’ and spumante
14 000 kg of grapes per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area







A


- Grapes used to produce wines with the ‘Soave’ controlled designation of origin must be produced in the area which includes all or part of the territory of the municipalities of Soave, Monteforte d’Alpone, San Martino Buon Albergo, Mezzane di Sotto, Roncà, Montecchia di Crosara, San Giovanni Ilarione, San Bonifacio, Cazzano di Tramigna, Colognola ai Colli, Caldiero, Illasi and Lavagno in the province of Verona.
The boundaries of this area are defined as follows:
To the south, starting on the western side, it departs from the settlement of San Martino Buon Albergo and follows national road No 11 as far as S. Pietro. It then turns to the south on the road leading to Caldiero and from there follows the edge of the Rocca and Gazzo hills above altitude 40 until returning to national road No 11 and following the municipal road which crosses the Milan-Venice railway via an overpass; From there the demarcation coincides with national road No 11 as far as the bridge over the Alpone river close to the San Bonifacio sugar factory from where it follows the road through San Lorenzo until intersecting with the Serenissima motorway, which in turn demarcates the area in the municipality of San Bonifacio as far as the border with the province of Vicenza. The demarcation coincides with the boundary with the province of Vicenza of the municipalities of Monteforte, Roncà and San Giovanni Ilarione as far as the road which crosses the provincial boundary, to the south of the Monte Madarosa; it then joins that road in the direction of San Giovanni Ilarione, passing Deruti, Lovati, Paludi and Rossetti as far as the aforementioned settlement; from there it follows the road through Cereghi, Fornace and Tessari at altitude 250, runs along the Vaio Muni to Soejo and then continues as far as the point where the boundaries of the municipalities of Tregnago, San Giovanni Ilarione and Cazzano meet. From that point the demarcation follows the boundary of the municipality of Cazzano as far as Soraighe; from there it follows the road that runs below the slopes of M. Bastia, first towards the north and then to the east below C. Andreani. From there it follows the road through Montecchia di Crosara and meets the Albo river. Having joined the road from Tolotti, it turns south via altitude 300 which passes below C. Brustoloni and joins the road which leads to the Dami via altitude 326; from there the boundaries between Soave, Cazzano and Montecchia meet at altitude 418, from where it follows the boundary between Cazzano and Montecchia towards the north until, after 100 metres, intersecting with a track along which it continues to the west as far as C. Fontana Fora. It then follows the track south as far as Pissolo di Sopra and then the road through Faella, then turning east to reach Pissolo di Sotto. It then follows the track to the south as far as Pissolo di Sopra and continues in the direction of Pissolo di Sotto until it passes the settlement. It continues through Chiavica and then follows the road which leads from Cazzano to Canova. It reaches the settlement of Canova and just after it proceeds towards the west from altitude 84 to altitude 73, going beyond il Pissolo and reaching Cantina Sociale (see detail A1*). From there it takes Via Monti and follows it as far as Cazzano.
On the road, in the centre of Cazzano (altitude 100), it curves to the west as far as T. Tramigna and then descends towards the south to the bridge on the road to Illasi. It follows that road to the west as far as the crossroads of S. Colombano and then follows the road as far as the chapel (altitude 135). It continues south (see detail A2*) as far as Grisi, and then east-south-east passing through Case Val dell’Oco and continuing as far as Cereolo di Sopra. It follows the road leading to Cereolo di Sotto and then the road west and the road which, to the south-west, reaches Bocca Scaluce and follows firstly the track to the north and then the road which beyond Pistoza reaches the road to Illasi. It follows it briefly west (about 100 metres) and then follows the track which skirts C.Troni to the north, and then, still to the west, takes the road that joins the road to Illasi. It takes that road towards the south for about 250 metres and then, towards the west, the road that passes to the south of Mormontea until close to km 16 on the road to Illasi. It takes that road south-west and briefly follows the Illasi river. It crosses the river and continues through Valnogara and then along Via Montecurto, firstly towards the west as far as the intersection with Via Cara, and then, following an imaginary line to the west-south-west (see detail A3*), it intersects the municipal boundary of Illasi, at Montecurto di Sopra. It then follows this boundary to the north until close to altitude 92 on the road to Lione. It follows that road to the north, passing through Lione, past C. Spiazzi, and at Leon S. Marco takes the road which to the north-east reaches C. Santi altitude 135. From there it follows the road to Fratta for about 300 metres to the west and then to the north, through Fratta and to the west as far as Mezzane di Sotto. It then follows the road to the south which skirts Casoni, Turano, Val di Mezzo, goes beyond Boschetto and reaches altitude 73 at Villa Alberti. It then follows the road south-west as far as Barco di Sopra and then continues firstly to the west and then to the north-west until it intersects the road to S. Briccio. It follows it north-east as far as Casetta and then follows the track west to the road which passes a little to the south of S. Rocco, Ca’ Brusà and then to the south along the road which, having passed l’Arcandole, reaches San Martino Buon Albergo from where the demarcation began.










B


- Grapes used to produce ‘Soave’ Classico wine must be produced in the area approved by Ministerial Decree of 23 October 1931 (Official Gazette No 289 of 16 December 1931), which includes part of the territory of the municipalities of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone and is defined as follows: From Soave’s Porta Verona, it follows the Soave-Monteforte road as far as the village of San Lorenzo, district of Soave. From there, it runs towards the north, following the slopes of Monte Tondo, until meeting the border between the territories of the municipalities of Soave and Monteforte. It then follows the slopes of Monte Zoppega, including the settlement of Monteforte d’Alpone, following, in order: Via Zoppega, Via Novella, Via San Carlo, Via 27 Aprile. It then crosses the Alpone river and rejoins Via Alpone. It continues towards the north and finally takes Via Roma to include the area of Monticello (see detail B1*). It intersects Via Santa Croce and heads north-west, to include Cantina Sociale di Monteforte. It follows Via XX Settembre in a southerly direction and then continues beyond the Alpone river. It takes Via della Fontana which runs firstly to the west, then to the south, then to the west, and finally to the north, and then follows the slopes of Monte Riondo (see detail B2*). It follows Via Monte Riondo for about 530 metres and then turns towards the north to exclude the alluvial part of the Torrente Ponsara. It then takes the road in an easterly direction and meets the boundary of cadastral sheet 13 of the municipality of Monte Forte d’Alpone which follows Via Cervia for about 110 metres. It includes the village of Casotti (see detail B3*) and then meets the Monteforte-Brognoligo road. It follows that road towards the north as far as the meeting point with the Torrente Carbonare river, and (see detail B4*) towards the west runs along the slopes of Monte Grande. It then descends to the east, on the left of the Carbonare valley, taking in the settlement of Brognoligo, the villages of Valle and Mezzavilla, and the settlement of Costalunga. (see detail B5*) At this point it turns to the north, following the municipal road of Sorte until it meets the intersection of Roggia Viennega with the Alpone river. It then follows the northern boundary of the territory of Monteforte as far as the boundary of the municipality of Soave at Moscatello. It follows this boundary and reaches the Valle Crivellara at the point where the boundary of Soave forms an angle. From there, the demarcation line separates from the boundary, runs towards the west and reaches altitude 331 at Villa Visco. It then follows a section of the track descending from Monte Campano, passes altitude 250 and, soon afterwards, at Casa Nui, reaches the secondary branch of the Anguane (see detail B6*), which then continues as far as the Soave-Cazzano provincial road. It follows the provincial road southwards as far as the last houses of Battocchi. From there it runs east, following the municipal track which passes through La Carcera until crossing, just beyond altitude 54, the Soave-Castelcerino provincial road. It then descends southwards via the municipal track of Monte Foscarino and Monte Cèrcene as far as the intersection with the Soave-Castelcerino provincial road. Turning obliquely to the south-west and taking in the settlement of Borgata Bassano, it reaches the channelled Tramigna river. It follows it southwards as far as the Soave-Borgo San Matteo provincial road, turns west along the southern walls of Soave and reaches the Porta di Verona, where the Classica area begins.










C


- Grapes used to produce the ’Soave’ wines with the additional specification of the ’Colli Scaligeri’ sub-area must be produced in the area demarcated as follows: Starting from the western area (San Martino Buon Albergo), from Marcellise in San Rocco, it descends into the Bosco della Fratta as far as Fenilon. From there, flanking the road dividing the plain from the hill, it reaches Palù and then runs as far as Casette in the direction of San Giacomo. From there, skirting the hill overlooking it, it turns onto the provincial road in the direction of Monticelli in the municipality of Lavagno. It runs through Fontana as far as San Pietro (Lavagno). Flanking the road which forms the border between the plain and the hill, it proceeds through Villa Alberti, passing Boschetto, Turano, until intersecting the Progno di Mezzane at altitude 92, following it to the north until intersecting with Via Leon which runs towards the east and then towards the south, in the direction of C. Spiazzi, and then through Squarzego, Montecurto di Sopra, Canova and Casotti. From there it continues to the east as far as Calle in the municipality of Illasi, to the south via the provincial road to the church at San Zeno, and then towards the east as far as Ceriani. From there it proceeds to Villa and follows the road that divides the hill from the plain next to Naronchi. It then runs south through San Pietro, flanking the road until reaching Pontesello and Caneva to the north as far as Orgnano. From Orgnano it runs to the north-east following the profile of the hill and reaches San Vittore. From there the road heads north through Molini until reaching the municipality of Cazzano di Tramigna in Cantina Sociale, passing through Fenil del Monte. It proceeds as far as via Molini (through Cazzano di Tramigna) and before intersecting Via Siro Conti it turns to the south-south-east through Chiavica, beyond Canova until reaching the municipality of Soave at Costeggiola. It rises towards the north-east following the boundary of Soave Classico through Casa Nui, Villa Visco, Valle Crivellara, then continuing towards to the east always flanking the classic area through Meggiano and Ca’ Vecchie. The demarcation line then proceeds north through i Motti in the municipality of Montecchia di Crosara, through Castello, passing through the centre of Montecchia, passing Biondari as far as Lauri. From there the road crosses the provincial road to the basalt quarry and then towards the south in the direction of Danesi di Sotto, Casarotti and Dal Cero. It then enters the municipality of Roncà to the east, passing through Prandi and reaching the settlement of Roncà (see details C1 and C2). From there it runs in the direction of Vittori and, to the south, Momello, Binello, until reaching Calderina on the boundary with the municipality of Gambellara. The demarcation follows the border with the province of Vicenza with the municipalities of Monteforte, Roncà and San Giovanni Ilarione as far as the road that crosses the provincial border, to the south of the Monte Madarosa; it then joins that road in the direction of San Giovanni Ilarione, passing Deruti, Lovati, Paludi and Rossetti as far as the aforementioned settlement; from there it follows the road through Cereghi, Fornace and Tessari at altitude 250, runs along the Vaio Muni to Soejo and then continues as far as the point where the boundaries of the municipalities of Tregnago, San Giovanni Ilarione and Cazzano meet. From that point the demarcation follows the boundary of the municipality of Cazzano as far as Soraighe; from there it follows the road that runs below the slopes of M. Bastia, first towards the north and then to the east below C. Andreani. From there it follows the road through Montecchia di Crosara and meets the Albo river. Having joined the road from Tolotti, it turns south via altitude 300 which passes below C. Brustoloni and joins the road which leads to the Dami via altitude 326; from there the boundaries between Soave, Cazzano and Montecchia meet at altitude 418, from where it follows the boundary between Cazzano and Montecchia towards the north until, after 100 metres, it intersects with a track along which it continues to the west as far as C. Fontana Fora. It then follows the track to the south as far as Pissolo di Sopra and continues in the direction of Pissolo di Sotto until it passes the settlement. It continues through Chiavica and then follows the road which leads from Canova to Cazzano di Tramigna. It reaches the centre of Cazzano (altitude 100), curves to the west as far as T. Tramigna and then descends towards the south to the bridge on the road to Illasi. It follows that road to the west as far as the crossroads of S. Colombano and then follows the road as far as the chapel (altitude 135). It continues south (see detail A2*) as far as Grisi, and then east-south-east passing through Case Val dell’Oco and continuing as far as Cereolo di Sopra. It follows the road leading to Cereolo di Sotto and then the road which, to the west, reaches Bocca Scaluce and follows firstly the track to the north and then the road which beyond Pistoza will reach the road to Illasi. It follows it briefly (about 100 metres) west and then follows the track which skirts C.Troni to the north, and then, still to the west, takes the road that joins the road to Illasi. It takes that road towards the south for about 250 metres and then, towards the west, the road that passes to the south of Mormontea until close to km 16 on the road to Illasi. It takes that road south-west and briefly follows the Illasi river. It crosses the river and continues along the road to i Guerri from where it follows, to the west, an imaginary line from Montecurto di Sopra to i Guerri (see detail A3*), and following that line it intersects the municipal boundary of Illasi, at Montecurto di Sopra. It then follows this boundary to the north until close to altitude 92 on the road to Lione. It follows that road to the north, passing through Lione, past C. Spiazzi, and at Leon S.Marco takes the road which to the north-east reaches C. Santi altitude 135. From there it follows the road to Fratta for about 300 metres to the west and then to the north, through Fratta and to the west as far as Mezzane di Sotto. It then follows the road to the south which skirts Casoni, Turano, Val di Mezzo, goes beyond Boschetto and reaches altitude 73 at Villa Alberti. It then follows the road south-west as far as Barco di Sopra and then continues firstly to the west and then to the north-west until it intersects the road to S. Briccio. It follows it north-east as far as Casetta and then follows the track west to the road along which it reaches S. Rocco.
That area also includes the hills of the Monte Rocca and the Monte Gazzo in the municipality of Caldiero and of the Monte Bisson in the municipality of Soave, which is demarcated as follows:
Demarcation ‘Monte Gazzo’- ‘Monte Rocca’ – Municipality of Caldiero.
Starting from the Padana national road No 11 at the thermal baths of Giunone it takes the road leading to the thermal baths, skirting the slopes of Monte Gazzo as far as altitude 53. From there it turns to the left following the profile of the hill forming the boundary of the Monte Rocca until it meets the municipal road. It turns left towards the centre of Caldiero as far as the square. It then continues to the right until joining the Zecconelli municipal road to the left, leaving it almost immediately to proceed towards the north following the altitude until joining the railway. From here it follows the railway, continuing east until the beginning of the demarcation.
‘Monte Bisson’ demarcation – Municipality of Soave.
Starting at the capital in Fornello and proceeding clockwise towards the north it continues along the municipal road of Bisson, as far as the intersection with the road leading to the settlement of San Vittore. It continues, keeping to the right, following the profile of the hill towards the south, to altitude 42 as far as the Bisson farmstead, and from there, still at altitude 42, it proceeds westward towards the municipal road leading to Fornello in the municipality of Colognola ai Colli.




7.   Wine grape variety(ies)

Chardonnay B.
Garganega B.
Trebbiano di Soave B. - Trebbiano
8.   Description of the link(s)



Soave PDO – for all categories (Wine and Quality Sparkling Wine)



Details of the geographical area;

Natural factors relevant to the link
The production area of Soave DOC wines is in the western-central part of the region of Monti Lessini close to the Po Valley. The tuffaceous basaltic soils of volcanic origin consist mainly of substrates of decomposed basaltic rocks which have given rise to clay-loam soils of a typically dark colour, of low alkaline, rich in mineral substances, with good drainage but good water storage capacity throughout the year. That mineral character of the soils favours the fermentation processes of musts obtained from Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes.
In terms of climate, the Soave area is favoured by a mild and temperate climate with annual rainfall of between 700 and 1 000 mm, which is mainly concentrated in spring and autumn. The climate is typically temperate and humid with hot summers.
The altitude of vineyards varies from 35 m above sea level in the area of the foothills to 380 m above sea level in the highest hills, with varying gradients and exposure predominantly to the east, south and west;
Historical and human factors relevant to the link
As early as Roman times, the territory of Soave was already a ‘pagus’, i.e. a circumscribed wine-growing agricultural district noted for its good location and intensive cultivation. Its grapes were used to make special wines called ‘acinatici’, using a traditional method of raisining the grapes. This was mentioned in some epistles dating from the time of Gothic King Theodoric (503 A.D.), which recommending that Veronese producers seek out these ‘very mellow and well-bodied’ wines for the Royal Table and that they not forget the wine made from the white grapes, which ‘shimmers like a milk beverage and is clearly pure...jovially frank and incredibly mellow in flavour’. Records from 680 A.D. mention the use of the Veronese trellis, a traditional vine-training method used in the area even to the present day.
The increase in the production and renown of ‘Soave’ wines led in 1924 to the first measure to protect and defend typical wines. This was followed by the founding of the Consorzio per la difesa del Vino Tipico Soave (Consortium for the defence of Typical ‘Soave’ Wine). In 1931 the Italian Minister recognised the first demarcated area for the production of ‘Vino Típico Soave’ (Typical ‘Soave’ Wine). The PDO was recognised in 1968.
Winegrowers have for centuries considered the Veronese trellis to be the ideal vine-training system. As well as being a hallmark of the landscape, this growing system is also crucial for the quality of the wines and the continuity of their production.
In recent years, developments in this vine-training system have led to changes in some parameters with a view to the oenological objectives being pursued: winegrowers have gone from a trellis with 4,5-5 m spacing between rows and an investment of 0,8 to 1,5 m on the rows (where the space between the rows typically was completely covered in vegetation) to a trellis with more narrow planting distances and vines that are pruned much shorter with a much lower number of buds per plant.
The Veronese trellis vine training systems thus allow the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and health.
As well as this traditional trellis-based vine-training system, there are also wall or espalier methods, particularly in flatland areas where it is easier to employ mechanical means on the vines when pruning and during the harvest.
In hilly terrain, since it is difficult to mechanise operations on steep slopes, the generally late harvest is mainly carried out by hand.
The Soave area is currently producing a significant number of excellent wines which are awarded prizes every year by the sector’s main international guides. It is also given outstanding and regular awards in the main wine-making competitions around the world.


Soave PDO – Wine Category


Causal link between quality, the characteristics of the product and the geographical environment, with the natural and human factors.
‘Soave’ PDO wine, including those variations which bear the ‘Classico’ and ‘Colli Scaligeri’ indications, are straw yellow in colour sometimes tending towards greenish, with an intense, pleasant aroma and a rich flavour with well-balanced acidity; to be more specific, there are marked hints of almond and white flowers, exotic fruit, citrus and spices.
The hills of the Verona area provide an ideal environment for the products of the Soave PDO and also those that bear the ‘Classico’ and ‘Colli Scaligeri’ indications. The calcareous and volcanic soils are rich in nutrients and the cool streams that flow down from the Monti Lessini allow optimal ripening to be reached while maintaining the grape acidity that is needed for white wines. The traditional trellis vine-training method, the technical expertise of the winegrowers, the centuries of tradition and the investments in modern technology all combine to produce wines of great complexity of aroma and richness of taste, with a medium-high range of sugars and well-balanced acidity.
To be more specific, ‘Soave’ PDO wine bearing the ‘Classico’ indication is the wine with the oldest tradition in the area, and has mineral organoleptic characteristics, a full, well-rounded taste featuring low vegetable, olfactory and retro-olfactory notes.


Soave PDO – Quality Sparkling Wine Category


Causal link between quality, the characteristics of the product and the geographical environment, with the natural and human factors.
‘Soave’ PDO sparkling wines , and those that bear the ‘Classico’ and ‘Colli Scaligeri’ indications, have fine, persistent foam. They are straw yellow sometimes tending towards bright greenish, with a delicate aroma and a pleasant balance between extracts and sugars in terms of taste. The sugar content varies from extra brut to dry.
The temperate climate and the variations in temperature between daytime and night-time that are typical in the Soave area are instrumental in producing a significant number of aromatic precursors which enhance the organoleptic characteristics and typical notes of the various vines that make up the grape varieties for the ‘Soave’ PDO.
The sparkling wine is also pleasantly lively with crisp acidity and a pleasing flavour balance of extracts and sugars. The grapes are harvested earlier than those that are intended for the production of the still version of ‘Soave’ PDO wine, so as to ensure that the acidity levels are sufficiently high. The acidity is also guaranteed by the low PH of the soils and the variations in temperature that are typical of the area.
9.   Specific further requirements (packaging, labelling, other requirements)
Soave PDO

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation from production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

Within the meaning of Article 5(1)(b) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2019/33, the wine may be made in the territory of the province of Verona and in the territory of the municipalities of Gambellara and Montebello in the province of Vicenza.
Soave PDO

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Bottling within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The reason for bottling within the demarcated production area is the need to preserve the quality of ‘Soave’ PDO wines, guarantee their origin and ensure that efficacious, cost-effective controls can be performed on a timely basis.
It appears that transportation and bottling outside the production area can compromise the quality of ‘Soave’ wine, as it could be exposed to redox reactions, sudden changes in temperature and microbiological contamination, which can have negative effects on the physico-chemical (minimum total acidity, minimum sugar-free extract:, etc.) and organoleptic (colour, aroma and taste) characteristics.
These risks are all the more serious the greater the distance covered.
However, bottling in the area of origin helps preserve the characteristics and the quality of the product, given that the wine consignments are not transported at all or only short distances.
These aspects, together with the experience and deep technical-scientific knowledge of the particular qualities of the wines acquired by the producers of the ‘Soave’ designation of origin over the years, enable bottling to be completed in the area of origin with the best technological precautions with a view to preserving all of the physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the wines covered by the specification.
Another objective of bottling in the production area is to ensure that the competent body can carry out its monitoring duties with maximum efficiency, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. These requirements cannot be assured to the same extent outside the production area.
The control body can very swiftly schedule the inspection visits to all of the undertakings involved in the production area at the time that ‘Soave’ wine is being bottled, in accordance with the respective inspection plan.
The goal is to systematically ensure that only consignments of ‘Soave’ PDO wine can be bottled. This allows to achieve better results in terms of the efficacy of the checks, at a limited cost to the producers, with a view to offering consumers the maximum guarantees regarding the authenticity of the wine.
Furthermore, in accordance with the national legislation in force and to protect pre-existing rights, bottling companies can apply for a derogation to continue bottling at their premises located outside the demarcated area, on the condition that they submit the relevant application to the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy and provide documentation proving that they have bottled ‘Soave’ PDO wines for at least two of the five years prior to the entry into force of the amendment introducing the requirement for bottling to take place in the area (this does not have to be an unbroken two-year period).
Soave PDO – Reference to Additional Geographical Mentions

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

In naming and presenting the wines ‘Soave’, ‘Soave’ Classico and ‘Soave’ Colli Scaligeri, it is permitted to make reference to the following Additional Geographical Mentions:






1.


Brognoligo










2.


Broia










3.


Ca’ del vento










4.


Campagnola










5.


Carbonare










6.


Casarsa










7.


Castelcerino










8.


Castellaro










9.


Colombara










10.


Corte del Durlo










11.


Costalta










12.


Costalunga










13.


Coste










14.


Costeggiola










15.


Croce










16.


Duello










17.


Fittà










18.


Froscà










19.


Foscarino










20.


Menini










21.


Monte di Colognola










22.


Monte Grande










23.


Paradiso










24.


Pigno










25.


Ponsara










26.


Pressoni










27.


Roncà - Monte Calvarina










28.


Rugate










29.


Sengialta










30.


Tenda










31.


Tremenalto










32.


Volpare










33.


Zoppega





Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/16389


(1)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.