Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33
Date: 2023-12-12
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Bistrita-Nasaud, Mures, Romania, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, white wine, wine of superior quality








C_202301493EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series C













C/2023/1493


12.12.2023






Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33
(C/2023/1493)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).
COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT


                     ‘Lechinţa’
                  


PDO-RO-A0369-AM03


Date of communication: 9.10.2023
                  


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Amendment to extend the demarcated geographical area

Chapter III of the specification, which refers to the demarcated production area, has been amended to extend the PDO's geographical area to the municipality of Lunca and the village of Sântu, located in Mureș County.
The municipality of Lunca is situated near the Baia stream (a tributary of the river Fleț) on national road 15A, Reghin – Lunca – Bistrița, near the municipality of Reghin. The municipality of Lunca (village of Sântu) borders the municipality of Batoș (Mureș County) 26 km away and Teaca (Bistrița – Năsăud County) 12 km away, both of which are included in the demarcated area of the Lechința PDO. Lunca's soil and climate are similar to those prevailing throughout the Lechința PDO demarcated area.
Chapter III of the specification and point 6 of the single document have been amended.
2.   Rewording of provisions on labelling

The specification has been amended so that the indication of certain names that may accompany the protected name of Lechința DOC on the labelling is provided for under the presentation/labelling of the wine as laid down in Chapter XII Marketing conditions, since this information should be included in this chapter and not under the geographical area.
Chapters III and XII of the specification and point 9 of the single document have been amended.
3.   Correct indication of the localities established as an area, in line with the criterion of Romania’s land administration system

In order to ensure compliance with national legislation on the classification of wine-growing areas for the cultivation of vines (Order No 1.205/2018 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approving the designation of wine-growing areas and the grouping of localities into wine-growing regions, vineyards and wine-growing centres), the specification must indicate the name of the municipalities to which the villages listed as part of the demarcated area belong, as the names of the municipalities were mistakenly omitted.
The indication must be corrected in line with the current national legislation, in order to comply with Order No 1.205/2018 referred to above, which provides for the indication in the form: wine-growing area, vineyard, wine-growing centre, county, town, municipality, village/villages.
Chapter III of the specification and point 6 of the single document have been amended.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Lechinţa
2.   Geographical indication type

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







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   White wines

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
The white wines show fruitiness, vinosity and freshness. They are characterised by higher acidity as a result of the climate, which gives the wine freshness and liveliness.
Herbaceous, botanical scent of rose petals and acacia blossom, sometimes with a slightly spicy taste, with higher alcoholic strength, unctuous and full-bodied. Fermented at low temperatures, the wines may develop a secondary scent of fermentation, while a specific honey and honeycomb scent may develop after storage for maturation and ageing.
Greenish to straw yellow in colour, greenish yellow with golden tones, with a high extract and glycerol content, and a velvety and unctuous taste. The young wine is sometimes reminiscent of freshly mown grass. On the palate, they have bittersweet and spicy notes, and fine scents of citrus, while maturation in wooden barrels and bottle ageing impart an appealing velvetiness.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


15,00




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


11,00




Minimum total acidity


4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


18




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


200




2.   Red wines

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Hints of black raisins, deep red in colour, even purple in young wine, deep ruby red to brick red in wines over two years old, ruby red with terracotta tones, turning to garnet red after ageing.
Bouquet – green bell peppers, blueberries, black cherries, a distinctive scent of wild vegetation, grass, acacia and linden blossom, bunches of grapes in their first phase of development; green vegetation, asparagus, green olives, spicy (ginger, green chilli); ageing imparts notes of blackberries, ripe plums, sour cherries and coffee; depending on age, the strong tannin flavour confers hints of tobacco.
Taste – velvety, harmonious, rounded, rich, soft tannins, a faint but unmistakable fruity flavour of prunes (not smoked), blackberries, slight scents of vanilla or cinnamon with ageing, a fine scent of blackcurrants.
Intense aftertaste with a slight jamminess. Bouquet of forest fruit, fresh raspberries, bitter cherries, sour cherries, fresh, velvety taste; maturing and ageing impart a pleasingly long finish.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


15,00




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


11,00




Minimum total acidity


4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


20




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


150




3.   Straw wine

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Straw yellow, greenish-yellow to golden yellow in colour, with a typical Muscat bouquet (exotic fruit, citrus, floral notes of vine flowers, freshly cut hay, jasmine, acacia), pleasantly rounded and velvety. On the palate, the wines are fresh, fruity (pears, apricots, ripe yellow fruit) and velvety; with ageing, some varieties develop a complex bouquet with well-integrated acidity.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)


15,00




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)


11,00




Minimum total acidity


4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)


18




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


200




5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific winemaking practices

1.   Winemaking practices
Growing method






—


planting density – minimum of 3 500 vines per hectare;










—


green harvesting – reducing the number of bunches of grapes at veraison (the onset of ripening), when the potential production exceeds the maximum limits admitted under the specifications for wines bearing the controlled designation of origin Lechinţa.




5.2.   Maximum yields

1.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Pinot gris, Sauvignon, Neuburger, Fetească regală, Traminer roz varieties

                     12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
2.   For the DOC-CMD traditional term, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească neagră, Merlot, Pinot noir varieties

                     12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
3.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Riesling Italian, Fetească albă, Chardonnay varieties

                     10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
4.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Muscat Ottonel variety

                     8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
5.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Pinot gris, Sauvignon, Neuburger, Fetească regală, Traminer roz varieties
80 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească neagră, Merlot, Pinot noir varieties
78 hectolitres per hectare
7.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Riesling Italian, Fetească albă, Chardonnay varieties
66 hectolitres per hectare
8.   Harvested at full maturity (CMD), Muscat Ottonel variety
53 kilograms of grapes per hectare
9.   Straw wine (Muscat Ottonel)

                     5 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare
10.   Straw wine (Muscat Ottonel)
12,50 hectolitres per hectare
6.   Demarcated geographical area

Bistrița-Năsăud County:






—


Municipality of Lechinţa – the villages of Lechinţa, Sângeorzu Nou, Vermeş, Ţigău and Sâniacob;










—


Municipality of Galaţii Bistriţei – the villages of Galaţii Bistriţei, Herina and Tonciu;










—


Municipality of Matei – the villages of Matei, Corvineşti, Enciu and Bidiu;










—


Municipality of Braniştea – the village of Braniştea;










—


Municipality of Petru Rareş – the villages of Petru Rareş and Reteag;










—


Municipality of Uriu – the village of Uriu;










—


Municipality of Şieu-Odorhei – the villages of Şieu-Odorhei and Bretea;










—


Municipality of Teaca – the villages of Teaca, Viile Tecii, Archiud, Ocniţa and Pinticu;










—


Municipality of Urmeniș – the village of Urmeniș;










—


Municipality of Milaș – the village of Milaș;










—


Municipality of Șieu – the villages of Șieu, Ardan, Posmuș and Șoimuș;










—


Municipality of Bistrița, comprising the localities of Ghinda and Viișoara;










—


Municipality of Dumitra – the villages of Dumitra and Cepari;










—


Municipality of Budacu de Jos – the villages of Budacu de Jos, Buduș and Jelna;










—


Municipality of Livezi – the village of Livezi;










—


Municipality of Cetate – the villages of Satu Nou and Petriș.




Mureș County:






—


Municipality of Batoș – the villages of Batoș, Dedrad, Goreni and Uila;










—


Municipality of Lunca – the village of Sântu;










—


Municipality of Band – the villages of Band, Mădăraș, Mărășești, Drăculea Bandului, Fânațe, Negrenii de Câmpie and Fânațele Mădărașului;










—


Municipality of Ceuașu de Câmpie – the villages of Ceuașu de Câmpie and Culpiu.




7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)







 


Cabernet Sauvignon N – Petit Vidure, Bourdeos tinto










 


Chardonnay B – Gentil blanc, Pinot blanc Chardonnay










 


Fetească albă B – Păsărească albă, Poama fetei, Mädchentraube, Leanyka, Leanka










 


Fetească neagră N – Schwarze Mädchentraube, Poama fetei neagră, Păsărească neagră, Coada rândunicii










 


Fetească regală B – Königliche Mädchentraube, Königsast, Kiralyleanka, Dănășană, Galbenă de Ardeal










 


Merlot N – Bigney rouge, Plant Medoc










 


Muscat Ottonel B – Muscat Ottonel blanc










 


Neuburger B – Neuburg










 


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










 


Pinot noir N – Blauer Spätburgunder, Blauer Burgunder, Burgund mic, Burgunder roter, Klăvner Morillon Noir










 


Pinot noir N – Spätburgunder, Pinot nero










 


Riesling Italian B – Olasz Riesling, Olaszriesling, Welschriesling










 


Traminer Rose Rs – Rosetraminer, Savagnin Rose, Gewürztraminer




8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Details of the area

The terrain is exclusively hilly, comprising the Sub-Carpathian hills (Bistrița and Mureșu hills) in the east, and the high hills of the eastern Transylvania Plain (Jimboru, Lechinţa, Comlod and Mădăraș hills) in the west. The hills generally peak at an altitude of 300-500 m and have moderately or steeply inclined slopes (5° to 25°), and the vineyards are spread out widely. Average recorded precipitation is 650-700 mm/year in the valleys (715 in Beclean, 680 in Bistrița, 655 in Reghin, 647 in Chiochiș, 640 in Lechței, 635 in Teaca) and around 800 mm on the hilly peaks, reaching a maximum in May-August and a minimum in winter, when snow prevails for 30 to 40 days on average.
8.2.   Link with the demarcated area

The vineyards are usually on the southern, south-eastern or south-western slopes, and in the valleys between hills, where there is heat and light.
The low temperatures (5-10 °C) during the harvesting period decrease the oxidative and enzymatic processes, helping the grapes to stay in good condition and maintaining the quality of the scents specific to the varieties. The high acidity of the must is an important factor in must clarification operations and later helps to speed up the fermentation process.
The occurrence of foggy days in late summer, which continue for almost a third of the autumn (September and October), result in the grapes' slow maturation and the retention of scents and of constantly high acidity levels, which favourably influence the quality of the wines obtained. Furthermore, during the grape ripening period, average daytime temperatures are around 23 °C and average night-time temperatures around 12 °C. These two factors result in a constant increase in sugar content, while acidity is reduced, remaining constant or almost constant. This environment of reduced grape oxidation favours a constant increase in the quality of the free and bound scents, which are at high levels at the end of the ripening period.
8.3.   Product details

The white wines show fruitiness, vinosity and freshness. They are characterised by higher acidity as a result of the climate, which gives the wine freshness and liveliness. They are greenish to straw yellow in colour, greenish yellow with golden tones, with a high extract and glycerol content, and an unctuous taste.
They have appealing botanical scents, of rose petals, acacia blossom, raspberries, bitter cherries, sometimes with a slightly spicy taste. They are balanced as a result of the higher alcoholic strength, while the glycerol can make them unctuous and full-bodied. Fermented at low temperatures, the wines can develop a secondary scent of fermentation, while a specific scent of honey can develop through storage during maturation and ageing (the young wine is sometimes reminiscent of freshly cut hay).
On the palate, they tend towards bittersweet, slightly spicy or fine citrus scents, while maturation in wooden barrels and bottle ageing give them a pleasant velvetiness.
The red wines have hints of raisins, an intense taste after at least 18 months of storage, a deep red colour with hints of purple when young, deep ruby red when aged for over two years, sometimes brick red or ruby red, bright, with terracotta tones after ageing.
The fruity scents are of blueberries, black cherries, a distinctive scent of wild vegetation, and of bunches of grapes. Ageing often imparts scents of blackberries, ripe plums, sour cherries and coffee: depending on age, the strong tannin flavour becomes milder, bringing hints of tobacco, vanilla, coconut, liquorice, green bell peppers, green olives, toast and ginger.
Faint but unmistakable scents of prunes (not smoked) and blackberries; depending on the ageing period, notes of vanilla and cinnamon appear, with fine hints of blackcurrants. The wines are firmly astringent and full-bodied, with a botanical flavour and scent. With ageing, some wines may lose a little unctuosity, but they gain a harmonious bouquet.
9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)


Marketing conditions (labelling)

Legal framework:
In national legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
In accordance with the producers' wishes, and to enhance the association of certain names of localities with wine-making traditions, one of the following single vineyard designations may, or may not, be added to the Lechința protected designation of origin: VERMEȘ, SÂNIACOB, SÂNGEORZU NOU, TEACA, URMENIȘ, DUMITRA, VIIȘOARA (STEINIGER), BATOȘ, CULPIU

Link to the product specification

https://www.onvpv.ro/sites/default/files/caiet_sarcini_doc_lechinta_modif_cf_cerere_3_de_modif_din_21.07.2023_no_track_changes.pdf


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


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1493/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)