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: 2024-03-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Buzau, Olt, Romania, Sud — Muntenia (Romania), consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, red wine, white wine








C_202402378EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2024/2378


27.3.2024






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/2024/2378)

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


                     ‘Dealurile Munteniei’
                  


PGI-RO-A1085-AM02


Date of communication: 5 January 2024
                  


DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

Amendment of the demarcated geographical area to extend the PGI area
The demarcated geographical area of the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI originally laid down in the specification must be extended to include some municipalities/villages located administratively in the counties of Olt and Buzău, as follows:






—


Olt county, Spineni municipality, Spineni and Optășani villages;










—


Buzău county, Smeeni municipality, Călțuna and Moisica villages.












I.


Spineni municipality, with the component villages of Spineni and Optășani, benefits from ecopedoclimatic conditions suitable for the cultivation of vines which are similar to those in the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI area. The climatic parameters for wine-growing are in line with those specific to the Dobroteasa wine-growing centre, 26 km away. Dobroteasa is a locality included in the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI area.
The western part of the wine-growing mass comprising the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI area (stretched over a length of approximately 65 km and with a width ranging from 3 to 12 km) has soils formed of red clay, brown clay and, to a lesser extent, fine reddish sand. These brown soils have a high iron oxide content and are suitable for the production of red wines in particular, such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
The municipality is located in the hilly terrain between the Getic plateau and the Romanian Plain, on the Spinani plateau, at an altitude of over 180 m, the highest part being called the Piscul Dobrei (383 m). Its gentle slopes are free from excess water and have a southern exposure, an aero-hydric and thermal regime favourable to the cultivation of red varieties. The Ph level is 6-7, with a contribution via the Vedea river, a tributary of the Olt. It has weakly acidic soils, brown/rust in colour due to the presence of poorly hydrated free iron oxides throughout the depth of the profile.
The climate, topography and lithology of the neighbouring municipalities of Dobroteasa (26 km) and Vulpești (30 km) are also maintained in Spineni, so that extending the PGI area to include the municipality of Spineni can guarantee, in particular, red wines that preserve the specific characteristics and qualities of the wines due to their geographical origin.
Extending the demarcated area to include the municipality of Spineni does not affect the link between the area and the wine produced in the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI, since the soil and climate conditions of this municipality can impart specific qualities on the wines due to their geographical origin. The inclusion of the municipality of Spineni is favourable to obtaining PGI quality wines, with composition and organoleptic qualities that showcase their geographical origin, i.e. Spineni. Its soil and climate characteristics produce ruby red wines which have hints of red forest fruit, finesse, light and soft tannins, excellent extractivity and intense colour influenced by the reddish brown soils rich in ferrous salts and light in texture.
The municipality of Spineni with its villages of Spineni and Optășani in Olt county is located in wine-growing region III. ‘Muntenian and Oltenian Hills’, wine-growing centre Dobroteasa, Sâmbureşti vineyards (Spineni is located 26 km from Dobroteasa, part of the PGI area). It is included in the list of wine-growing areas, regions, vineyards and centres annexed to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinance No 1205/2018:
https://www.onvpv.ro/sites/default/files/ordin_madr_84_2023_modif_om_1205_2018_areale_viticole.pdf












II.


The villages of Călțuna and Moisica, part of the municipality of Smeeni in Buzău county, have some natural conditions favourable to vine cultivation. The agro-pedological and climatic conditions, which are similar in the entire area, are suitable for obtaining the PGI wines with the specific characteristics of their geographical origin. The municipality of Smeeni is located 23 km from the municipality of Merei, which is included in the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI area. A history of vine cultivation in that municipality indicates vineyards existing in that area which were maintained by a form of agricultural organisation, such as cooperatives during the Communist regime. These cooperatives established and managed the areas planted with vines during that time.
Climate and relief factors are reflected in the characteristics of the red wines – finesse, light tannins, lively colour and robustness, as well as wines from the municipalities of Merei or Valea Călugărească, where the latter are also influenced by reddish brown soils rich in ferric salts. The area’s abundant heliothermal resources, as well as its light-textured soils, are reflected in the quality of the wines. The physical and chemical parameters for some wine varieties grown in the municipality of Smeeni, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Fetească regală – such as alcoholic concentrations – range between 11,48 % vol. for Fetească regală (2014, 2015) to 12,13 % vol. for Cabernet Sauvignon (2016), along with total acidity (tartaric acid min. 4,5 % w/l).
Wines from the Fetească regală and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties have freshness, a characteristic floral aroma, and are dry, semi-dry or sweet wines, with good acidity, greenish-straw yellow or intense red in colour with a purple/ruby tinge, and an aroma of wild vegetation, a good balance between alcohol, acidity and tannins as in Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Due to these factors of a wine-growing ecosystem that indicate that it is well suited to growing and developing vines for vineyards located in the municipality of Smeeni, similar to those found in the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ PGI area, including in this area also the municipality of Smeeni, villages of Călțuna and Moisica, where wine-growing/production is carried out with characteristics due to geographical origin, would be favourable.
Amending the specification by extending the demarcated area to include the municipality of Smeeni will not affect the link between the area and the wines produced in Smeeni, which are favourable in terms of quality, with optimum alcoholic potential for floral and fresh fruity notes, but also good acidity, medium colour intensity, with medium-intense floral aromas and a balance between alcohol, acidity and tannins.
Chapter III of the specification and point 7 of the single document have been amended as follows:




SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Dealurile Munteniei
2.   Geographical indication type

PGI - Protected Geographical Indication
3.   Categories of grapevine product







1.


Wine




4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   Analytical characteristics – white and rosé wines – change to the single document required

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
The white wines distinguish themselves through their extractive character, balanced structure and acidity, provided by the south-eastern exposure of the slopes, but also by the cultivation practices, which maintain moderate levels of production. They have a lemon yellow colour with green highlights, which become straw yellow (golden) on maturing. The complex and elegant bouquet with notes of wild flowers, fresh forest berries, stone and flint (variable depending on the variety and wine-making technology used), palatable, fruity, with a very fresh and mineral finish. Attention is drawn to the softness, finesse and above all the floral bouquet which on tasting gives a pleasant, persistent and appetising taste. The physical, chemical and distinctive organoleptic characteristics put the white wines amongst the most highly-placed wines of the ‘Dealurile Munteniei’ geographical area. The rosé wines, though in a minority in quantitative terms, generally have a pale pink colour highlighted by hints of raspberry and rosehip petals. The bouquet is marked by aromas of fresh fruits (peach, apricot, forest berries). The taste is soft, fruity, fresh and cool.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):


15 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):


9,0 




Minimum total acidity:


4,5  in milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):


18 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


250 




2.   Organoleptic characteristics – red wines – change to the single document required

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
Red wines are characteristic of this area. Due to the specific conditions of the area, the final product is easily recognisable, the aromas making it easy to identify the wines as coming from there. Red wines are characterised by a ruby-red colour (or hints of cherry or pomegranate red) with violet highlights which turn towards brick-red after maturing. An original and fine bouquet, with notes of red forest berries (blackcurrants, blackberries, sour cherries and wild plums) and sweet spices (cinnamon, pink peppercorns), a light taste, round and velvety. They are known for their finesse, light and high-quality tannins, excellent extractiveness and vivid colour, and the influence of the brown-reddish soils, high in ferric salts, is clear. The red wines are also more robust, vigorous, with higher colour intensity; these features are the result of abundant heliothermal resources and the light-textured soils. The red wines, generally dry, give the impression that they are part of a national heritage belonging equally to nature and to man. The red wines benefit from the good ecopedoclimatic conditions specific to this area.






General analytical characteristics




Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):


15 




Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):


9,0 




Minimum total acidity:


4,5  in milliequivalents per litre




Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):


20 




Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)


200 




5.   Oenological practices

5.1.   Specific winemaking practices

1.   Cultivation practices and characteristics of the plantations
Growing method






—


plantation density - minimum 3 000 vine stocks per hectare;










—


green harvesting - reducing the number of grape clusters at veraison (the onset of ripening), when the potential production exceeds the maximum limits admitted under the specifications for wines bearing a geographical indication.










—


irrigation - only permitted during years of drought and with ONVPV notification.




5.2.   Maximum yields

1.   Muscat Ottonel, Tămâioasă românească, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Traminer roz, Pinot gris, Grasă de Cotnari, Barbera







 



                           12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




2.   Cabernet Sauvignon, Negru aromat







 



                           12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




3.   Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Fetească albă, Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Cabernet franc, Sangiovese







 



                           14 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




4.   Novac, Petit verdot, Nebbiolo, Negru de Drăgăşani, Pinot noir, Fetească neagră







 



                           14 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




5.   Riesling italian, Merlot, Viognier, Grenache, Burgund mare, Aligote, Băbească neagră, Crâmpoşie selecţionată, Riesling de Rhin







 



                           16 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




6.   Fetească regală, Syrah, Trebbiano, Portugais bleu, Zweigelt







 



                           18 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare




7.   Muscat Ottonel, Tămâioasă românească, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Barbera, Traminer, Grasă de Cotnari, Pinot gris







 


90 hectolitres per hectare




8.   Cabernet Sauvignon, Negru aromat







 


90 hectolitres per hectare




9.   Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Fetească albă, Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Cabernet franc, Sangiovese







 


105 hectolitres per hectare




10.   Novac, Petit verdot, Nebbiolo, Negru de Drăgăşani, Pinot noir, Fetească neagră







 


105 hectolitres per hectare




11.   Riesling italian, Merlot, Viognier, Grenache, Burgund mare, Aligote, Băbească neagră, Crâmpoşie selecţionată, Riesling de Rhin







 


120 hectolitres per hectare




12.   Fetească regală, Syrah, Trebbiano, Portugais bleu, Zweigelt







 


135 hectolitres per hectare




6.   Demarcated geographical area

Buzău county:






—


municipality of Săpoca, villages of Săpoca, Mătești










—


municipality of Cernătești, village of Cernătești










—


municipality of Racoviți, village of Racoviți










—


municipality of Poșta Câlnău, village of Poșta Câlnău










—


municipality of Blăjani, villages of Blăjani and Sorești










—


municipality of Zărnești, villages of Comisoaia, Vadu Sorești, Zărnești, Fundeni, Pruneni










—


municipality of Breaza, villages of Breaza, Bădeni, Greceanca, Văleanca-Vilăneşti, Vispeşti










—


municipality of Năieni, villages of Năieni, Finţeşti, Fântânele, Proşca,Vârf










—


municipality of Săhăteni, villages of Săhăteni, Istriţa de Jos










—


municipality of Pietroasele, villages of Pietroasele, Şarânga, Dara, Pietroasa Mică, Clondiru de Sus, Câlțești










—


municipality of Merei, villages of Merei, Dealul Viei, Izvorul Dulce, Gura Sărăţii, Nenciulești, Dobrilești, Valea Puţului, Ciobănoaia, Ogherzi, Sărata Monteoru










—


municipality of Vernești, villages of Vernești, Zorești, Cândești, Nișcov, Săsenii Noi, Săsenii Vechi, Săsenii pe Vale, Cârlomănești, Nenciu










—


municipality of Smeeni, villages of Călțuna, Moisica.




Prahova county:






—


town of Boldești Scăieni, Seciu










—


municipality of Bucov, villages of Bucov and Pleașa










—


municipality of Plopu, villages of Gâlmeia and Plopu










—


municipality of Bucov, villages of Bucov, Chițorani, Valea Orlei, Bighilin










—


municipality of Valea Călugărească, villages of Valea Călugărească, Valea Popii, Valea Săracă, Răchieri, Valea Mantei, Valea Poieni, Valea Largă, Vârfurile, Schiau, Valea Mieilor










—


municipality of Albești Paleologu, village of Albești Paleologu










—


town of Urlaţi with Arioneştii Noi, Arioneştii Vechi, Cherba, Mărunţiş, Orzoaia de Jos, Orzoaia de Sus, Valea Bobului,Valea Crângului, Valea Nucetului, Valea Pietrei, Valea Seman, Valea Urloi, Valea Mieilor, Jercălăi










—


municipality of Ceptura, villages of Ceptura de Jos, Ceptura de Sus, Malu Roșu, Rotari, Șoimești










—


municipality of Fântânele, villages of Fântânele, Vadu Săpat, Ghionoaica, Bozieni










—


municipality of Gura Vadului, villages of Gura Vadului, Perşunari, Tohani










—


municipality of Călugăreni, villages of Călugăreni, Valea Scheilor










—


municipality of Jugureni, villages of Jugureni, Boboci










—


municipality of Apostolache, villages of Apostolache, Buzota, Valea Cricovului, Mârlogea, Udrești










—


municipality of Gornet-Cricov, villages of Gornet-Cricov, Priseaca, Valea Seacă, Dobrota, Coșerele, Țărculești










—


municipality of Chiojdeanca, villages of Chiojdeanca, Trenu, Nucet










—


municipality of Sângeru, villages of Sângeru, Tisa, Mireșu Mare, Mireșu Mic










—


municipality of Tătaru, villages of Tătaru, Siliștea, Podgoria










—


municipality of Podenii Noi, villages of Podenii Noi, Valea Dulce, Popeşti










—


municipality of Iordăcheanu, villages of Iordăcheanu, Valea Cucului, Moceşti, Străoşti, Plavia.




Argeș county:






—


municipality of Ștefănești, villages of Valea Mare-Podgoria, Ștefănești Noi, Izvorani, Ștefănești, Viișoara, Golești, Enculești, Zăvoi










—


municipality of Călinești, villages of Ciocănești, Văleni-Podgoria, Radu-Negru, Vrănești, Gorganu, Calinești, Râncciov, Urlucea, Glodu, Udeni-Zăvoi, Cârstieni










—


town of Topoloveni with Ţigăneşti, Boţârcani, Crinteşti, Gorăneşti










—


municipality of Priboieni, villages of Priboieni, Sămăila, Valea Mare, Pitoi, Valea Popii, Paraschivești, Valea Neni










—


municipality of Leordeni, villages of Leordeni, Băila, Budişteni, Ciulnișa, Cârciumărești, Glâmbocata, Schitu Scoicești, Ciolceşti, Bântău, Glodu, Moara Mocanului










—


municipality of Bogați, villages of Glâmboceiu, Chiţeşti, Bogaţi, Glâmbocel, Bârloi










—


town of Costești with Broșteni, Stârci, Smei, Podu Broșteni, Lăceni, Pârvu Roșu










—


municipality of Lunca Corbului, villages of Lunca Corbului, Silișteni, Lăngești, Mârghia de Jos, Mârghia de Sus, Cătane, Ciești, Pădureți










—


municipality of Stolnici, villages of Stolnici, Vlăşcuţa, Fâlfani, Izbăşeşti, Cotmeana, Cochineşti










—


municipality of Buzoiești, villages of Buzoiești, Vulpeşti, Redea, Ioneşti, Tomşanca, Bujoreni, Şerboieni, Cornăţel, Curteanca, Podeni,Vlăduţa










—


municipality of Suseni, villages of Suseni, Ţuţuleşti, Odăieni, Strâmbeni, Cerşani, Burdeşti, Găleşeşti










—


municipality of Mirosi, villages of Mirosi, Surdulești










—


municipality of Negrași, villages of Negrași, Bârlogu, Mozacu










—


municipality of Ungheni, villages of Ungheni, Colțu, Satu Nou, Găujani, Humele










—


municipality of Recea, villages of Recea, Deagu de Sus, Deagu de Jos










—


municipality of Izvoru, village of Izvorul










—


municipality of Popeşti, villages of Popeşti, Palanga, Slobozia, Purcăreni, Bucov, Râca, Adunaţi










—


municipality of Căldăraru, villages of Strâmbeni, Căldăraru, Burdea










—


municipality of Rociu, villages of Rociu, Gliganu de Sus, Şerbăneşti.




Dâmboviţa county:






—


municipality of Valea Mare, villages of Valea Mare, Feţeni, Saru, Valea Caselor, Livezile, Gârleni










—


municipality of Gura Foii, villages of Gura Foii, Catane, Făgetu










—


municipality of Dragodana, villages of Dragodana, Cuparu, Străoști, Burduca










—


municipality of Bucșani, village of Bucșani










—


municipality of Răzvad, villages of Răzvad, Valea Voievozilor




Olt county:






—


municipality of Sâmburești, villages of Sâmburești, Mănulești










—


municipality of Dobroteasa, villages of Dobroteasa, Vulpește, Câmpu Mare, Batia










—


municipality of Spineni, villages of Spineni, Optășani.




7.   Wine grape variety(-ies)







 


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










 


Barbera N










 


Burgund Mare N – Grosser Burgunder, Blaufränkisch, Kekfrankos, Frankovka, Limberger










 


Busuioacă de Bohotin Rs – Schwarzer Muscat, Muscat fioletovii, Muscat violet cyperus, Muscat rouge de Frontignan










 


Băbească neagră N – Grossmuttertraube, Hexentraube, Crăcana, Rară neagră, Căldărușă, Serecsia










 


Cabernet Franc N










 


Cabernet Sauvignon N – Petit Vidure, Burdeos tinto










 


Chardonnay B – Gentil blanc, Pinot blanc Chardonnay










 


Crâmpoşie selecţionată B










 


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










 


Grasă de Cotnari B – Dicktraube, Grasă, Köver szölö










 


Grenache Noir N










 


Merlot N – Bigney rouge, Plant Medoc










 


Mourvèdre N










 


Muscat Ottonel B – Muscat Ottonel blanc










 


Nebbiolo N










 


Negru Aromat N










 


Negru de Drăgășani N










 


Novac N










 


Petit Verdot N










 


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










 


Pinot Blanc B – Weisser Burgunder, Weiss Burgunder, Pinot Bianco, Weissburgunder










 


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










 


Pinot noir N – Spätburgunder, Pinot nero










 


Portugais Bleu N – Blauer Portugieser, Oporto, Portugieser










 


Riesling de Rhin B – Weisser Riesling, White Riesling, Riesling Renano, Rheinriesling










 


Riesling italian B – Olasz Riesling, Olaszriesling, Welschriesling










 


Saint Emilion B – Trebbiano Toscano, Ugni blanc, Trebbiano










 


Sangiovese N – Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino










 


Sauvignon B – Sauvignon blanc










 


Syrah N – Shiraz, Petit Syrah










 


Traminer Roz Rs – Rosetraminer, Savagnin roz, Gewürztraminer










 


Tămâioasă românească B – Busuioacă de Moldova, Muscat blanc à petit grains










 


Tămâioasă românească B - Rumänische Weihrauchtraube, Tamianka, Tămâioasă albă de Drăgășani










 


Viognier B – Bergeron, Barbin, Rebolot, Greffou, Picotin Blanc, Vionnier










 


Zweigelt N – Blauerzweigelt, Negru de Zweigelt, Zweigelt blau




8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   Link with the demarcated area

The influence of tradition-based human factors.
The existence of vineyards in this area is confirmed by archaeological excavations, ceramic fragments and toponymy, which prove that vineyards have been present since ancient times.
The evidence is provided by documents from archaeology, palaeontology, mythology, numismatics, linguistics and written and oral history, which show firstly that there were particular natural conditions in that part of the world ideal for the development and cultivation of vines, and that activity was in line with the beliefs, customs and overall lives of the area’s inhabitants.
It is recognised that there were forms in this area from which species of the Vitis genus derived as early as the beginning of the Neogene period.
The first written documents mentioning the existence of wine cultivation in these parts of the country date from the 14th and 15th centuries. Those documents show that Ceptura, Valea Călugărească, Valea Mantei and Valea Popii were localities known and appreciated for the quality of the wines produced there.
This area’s importance in terms of wine-making derived from the large areas of grafted vines and its large size, and was considered 'the largest and most compact of Romania's wine-making areas, which forms the focal point of Romania's winemaking industry'.
Ancient documents indicate that this area produced an ‘oily’, strong and durable wine, comparing it to the best wines produced in other countries.
The production of wine is an occupation which requires vine-growers to create the technical means necessary to produce wines of the highest possible quality.
Over time, vine-growing in Romania has become characterised by particular features, differentiated by wine-growing area, according to traditions passed on through the generations. Types of wines have thus developed, containing grape varieties well suited to the local conditions, distinctive cultivation practices have been established by region, particularly in terms of the management of stocks and pruning, and the specific characteristics of the wines have become more distinctive.
Plantations with valuable varieties have been established, new cultivation techniques based on mechanisation have been promoted, modern wine-making, wine-storage and wine-packaging facilities have been built and there has been a rise in the quality of the wines.
The wine-growers take pleasure from harvesting the fruit and are driven by the desire to produce a good wine with the typical character of the area.
The exceptional and distinctive quality of the wines of the demarcated geographical area of Dealurile Munteniei is the result of skilled labour, traditions and the rational implementation of new grape-growing and wine-producing technologies.
The influence of natural factors
The development of viticulture is due to the highly favourable conditions enjoyed by vines throughout the country. The climate of our hills is favourable for wine-growing, as a result of abundant heliothermal resources during the vine's growing period (April - October), long and sunny autumns, the absence of excessive precipitation, particularly in summer and autumn and, in general, the absence of any extremes of climate which could cause problems in terms of the quality of the wines.
The demarcated geographical area of Dealurile Munteniei is characterised by the diversity of its soils. The demarcated area contains soils comprising red clay, marlstone and, to a lesser extent, fine reddish sands, soils suited to the cultivation of grape varieties for red wines.
Relief
The hilly massif is intersected by valleys, generally open to the south-east and bordered by a series of almost parallel hills. In terms of soil type, to the west eroded brown-reddish forest soils predominate, while the east is characterised by rendzinas, pseudo-rendzinas and, to a lesser extent, soil-forming sandy soils. Skeletal soils can also be found in some centres, where bedrock lies close to the surface. These have a high content of calcium carbonate, which is favourable for the production of red wines and aromatic wines.
The orientation of the valleys creates very favourable conditions for wine-growing. Viticulture mostly takes place on slopes with a gradient of between 8 % and 30 % and to a lesser extent on steeper slopes.
The main rivers have significant flows, even in seasons with low precipitation. As a whole, the vineyard can be regarded as having sufficient good quality water reserves.
The topography, particularly the predominantly south-facing exposure of the land, creates microclimates highly favourable to the cultivation of varieties for red wines.
Climate
The average annual temperature varies from around 10,8 °C in the west of the wine-growing area to around 11,2 °C in the east. Winters are relatively short, the average temperature of the coldest month is –2,1 °C, and the average temperature of the warmest month is +22,4 °C.
In general, heliothermal resources are abundant, favouring the good ripening of the vine’s fruit and wood. On the hillsides minimum temperatures are about 3 °C higher than on the plains, and the frequency of freezing winters is much lower. Vines cultivated on the hillsides can therefore overwinter unprotected.
The rainfall pattern is higher in the west of the wine-growing area, 587,7 mm, and lower in towards the east, 508 mm. The water stored in the soil during the winter favours the first part of the growing season, with intense growth of ,shoots. The rain of the early summer stimulates the growth of grapes, while there is less rain during their maturation stage (August - September), thus promoting ripening.
Because of the favourable climate, the best Romanian red wines are produced in this area, full-bodied and with good colour, as well as superior, highly attractive, white wines.
The total acidity of the must is strongly influenced by increased thermal resources.
As thermal indicators rise, higher concentrations of sugars, aromas, colour and phenolic substances can be obtained.
8.2.   Causal link

The climate in the demarcated area, favourable for wine-growing, ensures abundant heliothermic resources during the vine's growing period (April to October). The long and sunny autumns, the absence of excessive precipitation, particularly in summer and autumn and, in general, the absence of any extremes of climate which could cause problems is reflected in the quality of the wines as regards aroma, the velvety taste of the red wines and the roundness and fullness of the white wines.
The predominantly south-facing exposure of the land is highly favourable to the cultivation of varieties for red and white wines, as is the diversity of soils, particularly those formed from red clays, marls and finely reddish soils which are mainly suited to the production of red wines.
The soils with clay layers, with a high iron oxide content, present on the western part of the wine-growing massif (vineyards occupying the slopes of the hills and their depressions – Ceptura, Valea Călugărească, Valea Mantei and Valea Popii) are also highly suitable for growing red wine varieties. Although only present to a small extent, skeletal soils with a high calcium carbonate content are also identified in certain localities, also favouring the production of aromatic wines (with long-lasting aromas).
The heliothermal resources are high and suitable for good ripening, the minimum temperatures on the hillsides are around 3 °C higher than on the plains, and the frequency of freezing winters is much lower. The varieties grown on the hillsides can therefore overwinter unprotected, leading to optimum levels of qualitative production.
During the ripening phase of the grapes (August to September), rainfall is lower, producing good conditions for ripening. As thermal indicators rise, higher concentrations of sugars, aromas, colour and phenolic substances can be obtained. Harvesting is carried out at the degree of maturity required to achieve good quality and, in particular, to highlight the aromatic characteristics of the varieties, in particular those with higher potential, resulting in wines with a constant balance of acidity, identity, expressiveness and originality, and to preserve the floral or fruity specificity of the wines, as appropriate.
9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

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Link to the product specification

https://www.onvpv.ro/sites/default/files/caiet_de_sarcini_ig_dl_munteniei_modif_cf_cererii_1628_21.08.2023_notrack_changes.pdf


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


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/2378/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)