Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the 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 240/08
Date: 2022-06-22
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Italy, Sicily, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, white wine








C_2022240EN.01002201.xml










22.6.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 240/22






Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the 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 240/08)
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

‘Etna’


PDO-IT-A0780-AM02


Date of communication: 25.3.2022


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Information on types of sparkling wines and respective categories

Description: the existing types of sparkling wine products are specified, with a distinction being made between sparkling white and sparkling rosé, each within the two categories ‘sparkling wine’ and ‘quality sparkling wine’.
Reason: ‘Etna’ sparkling white and rosé wines are made from red Nerello Mascalese grapes using only the traditional method. Given the high quality of these products and the increase in market demand, it has been decided to more clearly identify and provide information on the two versions of ‘Etna’ PDO sparkling wine products available.
This amendment concerns Article 1 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.
2.   Combination of secondary grape varieties

Description: for the ‘Etna’ Bianco and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore types, the Minnella bianca and Trebbiano varieties have been deleted from the list of secondary varieties, but the reference to the use of varieties suited to the Sicily region has been maintained.
Reason: the names of these two varieties have been deleted in the interests of clarity, as they are already included in the national register and classified among the varieties that are suited to being grown in the Sicily region.
The amendment concerns Article 2 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.
3.   Change in combination of grape varieties - ‘Etna’ sparkling wine

Description: for ‘Etna’ sparkling wine (rosé or vinified as white) the minimum quantity of Nerello Mascalese grapes has been increased from 60 % to 80 %.
Reason: the purpose of this amendment is for the production to be identified with the varietal originality of Nerello Mascalese grapes.
The amendment concerns Article 2 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.
4.   Administrative changes in the grape production area

Description: the municipality of Paternò has been replaced by the municipality of Ragalna.
Reason: following changes to the public administrations, the municipality of Ragalna has been set up as an autonomous municipality replacing the municipality of Paternò. The area corresponding to the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) used to be part of the municipality of Paternò but it now belongs to the newly-established municipality of Ragalna.
This clerical amendment to the administrative information does not entail any change to the boundaries of the area where grapes for the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin are produced.
It is a clerical amendment entailing an update to Article 3 of the product specification and Section 6 (Demarcated geographical area) of the single document.
5.   Insertion of minimum number of plants per hectare

Description: for new plantings and replantings, the spacing must allow for at least 4 600 vines per hectare to be planted.
Reason: a numerical check on the productive layout of new plantings is considered essential in accordance with a rule that combines the local wine-growing tradition and the quality of the vineyards.
The amendment concerns Article 4 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.
6.   Rosé and sparkling rosé and white wine types - minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of the grapes

Description: for rosé and sparkling wine types, the minimum alcoholic strength required of the grapes at harvest has been lowered by half a percentage point: for rosés, down from 12 to 11,5, and for sparkling wines, down from 10 to 9,5.
Reason: being able to work with high acid content is a requirement for both of these types of wine, and therefore the earliest grapes should be harvested based on perfect technological ripeness in order to achieve very fine and delicate wines.
The amendment concerns Article 4 of the product specification but does not concern the single document
7.   Bottling in the demarcated geographical area — update to the reference to the legislation

Description: Reference is made to Article 35(3) of Law No 238/2016 concerning individual permits to bottle wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) outside the demarcated production area.
Reason: this is a clerical update of the reference to the legislation in force.
This amendment concerns Article 5 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions - Bottling in the demarcated geographical area) of the single document.
8.   ‘Etna’ Rosato, changes to the parameters colour, minimum total alcoholic strength by volume, minimum sugar-free extract

Description: The shade of pink has been changed to include orange hints and the reference to ruby red has been deleted; the minimum total alcoholic strength by volume has been reduced from 12,50 % to 12 %; the dry extract value has been reduced from 20 to 18 g/l.
Reason: the shade of colour can be seen to change with ageing and there is no grounds for including the colour ruby red now that the new techniques used in wine-making allow to produce rosé wines with paler hues. In keeping with what has already been defined for the alcoholic strength of the grapes at harvest and for technical-commercial reasons at the consumption stage, the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume has been reduced to 12 % and the dry extract value to 18 g/l.
This amendment concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.
9.   ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore – information on minimum total acidity

Description: for the ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore wine type, only the minimum value of 5,5 g/l is provided for the physico-chemical parameter of total acidity.
Reason: the range of values from 5,5 to 7 g/l, which had been a misprint in previous versions, has been deleted. With the current clerical amendment, the only value referred to is the minimum of 5,5 g/l.
This is a clerical amendment that concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.
10.   Inclusion of characteristics of sparkling white and sparkling rosé wine types on consumption

Description: The characteristics on consumption of the sparkling white and sparkling rosé wine types have been set out separately. They had previously been grouped together in the same category, ‘sparkling wine’.
Reason: Sparkling wines are an important part of the identity of the ‘Etna’ designation, in the two types: white and rosé; the physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the two versions of the sparkling wine product (white and rosé) have therefore been identified more accurately.
This amendment concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.
11.   Labelling and presentation - use of the broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’

Description: reference to the broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’ can be included on the labelling and in presenting ‘Etna’ PDO wines.
Reason: using the broader geographical name ‘Sicilia’ provides consumers with more information on the geographical location of the ‘Etna’ PDO in the regional wine-growing system, in accordance with current EU and national legislation.
The amendment concerns Article 7 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions - Additional provisions relating to labelling) of the single document.
12.   Packaging and closure systems — rewording and clarification

Description: the maximum nominal capacity of glass containers has been reduced from 5 to 3 litres, except in the case of Bordeaux, Burgundy and hock bottles, for which a capacity of up to 18 litres is allowed.
Reason: removing the 5-litre limit excludes the possibility of ‘carboys’ being used and indicating a limit of up to 18 litres encourages the use of large formats.
Description: all of the closure systems provided for by the legislation in force are allowed for sparkling wines, except for plastic materials.
Reason: this amendment expressly sets out the producers’ intention that plastic materials should not be allowed for sparkling wines.
Description: the requirement for standard corks to be used has been removed for all types, with the exception of ‘Etna’ Rosso Riserva and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore.
Reason: this amendment makes it clear that, for wines with the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC), with the exception of ‘Etna’ Rosso Riserva and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore, all closures allowed by law are permitted. This opens up the possibility of modern closures commonly found in other countries being used for wine covered by this designation.
This amendment concerns Article 8 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions) of the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name of product

Etna
2.   Geographical indication type

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







1.


Wine










4.


Sparkling wine










5.


Quality sparkling wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   ‘Etna’ bianco

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Colour: straw yellow, occasionally with slight hints of gold;
Smell: delicate, distinctive;
Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,50 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum total acidity


5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 




2.   ‘Etna’ bianco superiore

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Colour: Very light straw-yellow with pale green tints;
Smell: delicate, distinctive;
Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious, soft;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


 




Minimum total acidity


5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


 




3.   ‘Etna’ rosso

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Colour: ruby red with hints of garnet with ageing;
Smell: intense, distinctive;
Taste: dry, warm, robust, full, harmonious;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,50 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 20,0 g/l.






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)


 




4.   ‘Etna’ rosso riserva

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Colour: ruby red with hints of garnet with ageing;
Smell: intense, distinctive;
Taste: dry, warm, robust, full, harmonious;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 13,00 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 20,0 g/l.






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)


 




5.   ‘Etna’ rosato

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Colour: pink of varying intensity and hints of orange
Smell: intense, distinctive;
Taste: dry, harmonious;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l.






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)


 




6.   ‘Etna’ spumante bianco

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Foam: fine and lasting;
Colour: straw yellow of varying intensity;
Smell: intense and distinctive, sometimes with citrus notes accompanied by a delicate hint of yeast;
Taste: full, harmonious, long-lasting; from ‘brut’ to extra-dry;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,00 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.






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)


 




7.   ‘Etna’ spumante rosato or rosè

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Foam: fine and lasting;
Colour: pink of varying intensity and hints of orange;
Smell: intense and distinctive, sometimes with floral and spicy notes accompanied by a delicate hint of yeast;
Taste: full, harmonious, long-lasting; from ‘brut’ to extra-dry;
Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,00 %;
Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.






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

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Sparkling types — secondary fermentation in the bottle
Specific oenological practice
Sparkling types must be produced exclusively by natural secondary fermentation in the bottle and by resting on the lees for at least 18 months.
2.   Sparkling types — wine-making
Specific oenological practice
Sparkling types must be made:






—


for the rosé type, either by making red grapes into ‘rosé’ or by making wine from a combination of red and white grapes that have been pressed separately;










—


for the white type, by making white wine from red grapes.




3.   Rosso Riserva type
Specific oenological practice
Red wines may bear the term ‘Riserva’ only they have been aged for at least four years within the production area, including at least 12 months in wooden vessels. The ageing period shall begin on 1 November of the year in which the grapes are harvested.
5.2.   Maximum yields







1.


‘Etna’ bianco, bianco superiore, bianco spumante, rosso, rosato, rosato spumante




9 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare






2.


‘Etna’ rosso riserva




8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

The production area for grapes suitable for the production of wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin is located in the province of Catania and includes land in part of the following municipalities: Biancavilla, S. Maria di Licodia, Ragalna, Belpasso, Nicolosi, Pedara, Trecastagni, Viagrande, Aci S. Antonio, Acireale, S. Venerina, Giarre, Mascali, Zafferana, Milo, S. Alfio, Piedimonte, Linguaglossa, Castiglione, Randazzo.
7.   Wine grape varieties

Carricante B.
Catarratto bianco comune B. - Catarratto
Catarratto bianco lucido B. - Catarratto
Nerello cappuccio N.
Nerello cappuccio N. - Nerello mantellato
Nerello mascalese N.
8.   Description of the link(s)


Etna

The ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) is in the province of Catania: 20 municipalities on the lower slopes of Etna, where high quality production is ensured by the variable climate and soil. ‘Etna’ was the first controlled designation of origin (DOC) to be recognised in Sicily. The soil is volcanic and the climate is temperate. The Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grape varieties are grown at high altitudes in the area of the ‘Etna’ DOC. Where the slopes are steep, the vineyards are grown on terraces enclosed by dry stone walls. All of the wines have pleasant, harmonious and elegant aromas. The volcanic soil composition and mineral content result in wines with a long shelf life. This is the area of Sicily where grapes ripen the latest, with the harvest season running from September to the end of October.
9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)


Winemaking operations in the defined geographical area

Legal framework:
EU legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation on the production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
As well as within the demarcated production area, the operations of wine-making, secondary fermentation to make sparkling wine, mandatory ageing and maturing in the bottle can be carried out anywhere in the municipalities; not only in the part specifically included in the demarcated area, but also in the territory of the municipalities bordering the demarcated area.

Packaging within the demarcated geographical area

Legal framework:
EU legislation
Type of further condition:
Packaging within the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
In accordance with Article 4 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2019/33, bottling operations for wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin must be carried out within the wine-making area in order to safeguard quality and reputation, to ensure the origin and effective controls. However, in order to safeguard the pre-established rights of operators who have traditionally carried out bottling outside the demarcated production area, individual permits may be granted under the conditions laid down in Article 35(3) of Law No 238/2016.

Labelling and presentation

Legal framework:
In national legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
Wines covered by the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin may feature additional geographical terms referring to the administrative units or districts where the grapes are grown, based on the list provided in Annex 1 to the product specification.

Information on the vintage year

Legal framework:
In national legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The vintage year must be stated on all wines covered by the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin, with the exception of sparkling wines that are not single-vintage.

Labelling and presentation

Legal framework:
In national legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
The broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’ may be used on the labelling and in presenting ‘Etna’ wines, in accordance with Article 30 of Law 238/2016 and Article 7(4) of the product specification for the ‘Sicilia’ controlled designation of origin.

Packaging and closure systems

Legal framework:
EU legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
‘Etna’ DOC wines shall only be released for consumption in glass containers with a nominal capacity of up to 3 litres. This restriction excludes traditional glass Bordeaux, Burgundy and hock bottles, for which a maximum capacity of 18 litres is allowed.
All of the closure systems provided for by the legislation in force are permitted for sparkling wines, except for plastic materials.
All of the closures allowed under the applicable legislation are permitted, with the exception of the Rosso Riserva and Bianco Superiore types, where the use of standard corks is mandatory.

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/17936


(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.