Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a geographical indication in the sector of spirit drinks, as referred to in Article 8(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1235
Date: 2025-02-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Madeira, Portugal, consumer information, designation of origin, labelling, product designation, quality control of agricultural products, spirits








C_202500970EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2025/970


10.2.2025






Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a geographical indication in the sector of spirit drinks, as referred to in Article 8(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1235
(C/2025/970)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 8(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1235 (1).
COMMUNICATION OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE SINGLE DOCUMENT


                     ‘Rum da Madeira’
                  


EU No: PGI-PT-02046-AM01


Submitted on 12 November 2024
                  

1.   Product name


               ‘Rum da Madeira’
            
2.   Member State

Portugal
3.   Senders

Portuguese Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DGADR)
4.   Amendment

4.1.   Statement explaining why the amendment(s) fall(s) under the definition of a standard amendment as provided for in Article 31 of Regulation (EU) No 2019/787

This amendment stems from the need to adapt the specification of the ‘Rum da Madeira’ PGI to the new rules introduced by Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 regarding the use of the term ‘agricultural’.
This is indeed a standard amendment to the product specification within the meaning of Article 31 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, in that it does not alter the name of the geographical indication or the legal name or the corresponding beverage category, nor does it pose any risk of undermining its quality, reputation or characteristics essentially linked to its geographical origin, nor does it have any implication in terms of further restrictions on its marketing.
4.2.   Description of and reasons for the amendment

Description
The option of sweetening ‘Rum da Madeira’ has been removed.
Deletion of the term ‘rum beneficiado’.
Summary of the reasons for the amendment
Amendment to reflect the change in the relevant legislation.
This amendment affects the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1.   Name(s)

Rum da Madeira
2.   Applicant country(ies)

Portugal
3.   Geographical indication type

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
4.   Category or categories of the spirit drink







1.


Rum




4.1.   Combined nomenclature code

22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR
2208 – undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 % vol; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages
5.   Description of the spirit drink


               ‘Rum da Madeira’ has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 37,5 % vol., a minimum volatile substance content of 225 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol, and a maximum total dry extract of 5 grams per litre for natural rum and 20 grams per litre for aged rum.
By way of exception, a higher total dry matter content may be accepted for aged ‘Rum da Madeira’ of distinctive quality as validated by the Chamber of Tasters.
The characteristics of ‘Rum da Madeira’ are greatly influenced by the production process and by how it is aged. However, it is typically a clear and bright distillate that may vary from transparent to yellowish in colour for the natural ‘Rum da Madeira’ and from yellowish to topaz with golden and greenish hues for aged ‘Rum da Madeira’. The intense colour of aged ‘Rum da Madeira’ is essentially due to its contact with the oak casks.
Its characteristic aromas are usually of fermented sugar cane, but there may be other distinctive notes depending on the type of rum produced.
Natural ‘Rum da Madeira’ stands out from other products in the same category due to its intensity and aromatic complexity, being less neutral in terms of scent than other similar rums on the market. It is characterised by its tropicality, freshness, minerality and typically long finish.
Aged ‘Rum da Madeira’ stands out for its great capacity for development, resulting in a unique and original style. This rum is full-bodied, with an acidic freshness conferred by the region's terroir, oxidative ageing gives it a wide range of aromas and flavours specific to ‘Rum da Madeira’. It is characterised by its structure (full-bodied), aromatic complexity, delicate and elegant taste and long finish on the palate.
6.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The Autonomous Region of Madeira is located in the Atlantic Ocean between 30° and 33° north latitude, 978 km southwest of Lisbon and some 700 km from the African coast.
It consists of two inhabited islands: the island of Madeira (740,7 km2) and the island of Porto Santo (42,5 km2), and a number of uninhabited islands and islets (the Desertas and the Savage Islands).
The geographical production area of ‘Rum da Madeira’ covers the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

               ‘Rum da Madeira’ must be obtained exclusively using sugar cane from the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
7.   Method of production of the spirit drink


               ‘Rum da Madeira’ is an agricultural rum and as such is produced exclusively by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of sugarcane juice. Together with the experience accumulated over generations, this results in a quality traditional product with unique characteristics.
The sugar cane is harvested manually without using any kind of machine and is then rapidly pressed. This is a key factor in determining the quality of the final product. The resulting must is then decanted and filtered to make it as clear as possible. The sugar content is further adjusted to the ideal level before starting the fermentation.
This optimises the ensuing slow fermentation process, which may take a few days depending on the ambient temperature.
The liquid resulting from fermentation, commonly referred to as ‘cane wine’, may be decanted even before being distilled, preserving the quality and taste of this typical product of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

               ‘Rum da Madeira’ may be aged in oak barrels for a minimum period of three years. This process is subject to checks from the competent authority, which may be physical checks conducted on site or administrative checks, and must be documented in a specific register.
8.   Specific rules concerning packaging



                           ‘Rum da Madeira’ must be packaged in the geographical area of origin.

The reputation ‘Rum da Madeira’ enjoys with its consumers is intrinsically linked to the product’s specific characteristics and overall quality. Having the bottling site as close as possible to the inspection body makes it possible to safeguard the integrity and authenticity of this product by means of a certification process carried out by expert personnel with specialised training, ensuring full respect for the typical characteristics of this geographical indication, and thus ultimately ensuring consumer protection.
9.   Specific labelling rules


Labelling rules that apply to ‘Rum da Madeira’
                        

Regional Legislative Decree No 18/2021/M of 28 July 2021, which confirms the geographical indication ‘Rum da Madeira’ and regulates its production and trade, also lays down the labelling rules that apply to ‘Rum da Madeira’.
This decree provides that the geographical indication ‘Rum da Madeira’ or ‘Rum Agrícola da Madeira’ must appear on the ‘Rum da Madeira’ label and may be supplemented by the following designations, provided that the corresponding specifications are met:
Traditional terms:






—



                        ‘Aguardente de cana’ (cane spirit), ‘aguardente de cana-de-açúcar’ or ‘aguardente de cana sacarina’ (sugar cane spirit) – terms compatible with any category of ‘Madeira rum’;










—



                        ‘Velho’ (aged), ‘rum velho’ (aged rum) or ‘aguardente velha’ (aged spirit) – terms reserved for ‘Rum da Madeira’ aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 3 years, combined with an indication of age or year of production.










—



                        ‘Rum da Madeira’ with an indication of age – one of the following indications of age may appear on the ‘Rum da Madeira’ label, provided that the rum has been aged in oak barrels for at least the period corresponding to the age in question. In other words, if it is a blend of different ages, all the rum in the bottle must have been aged for at least the age in question.










—



                        ‘3 years’;










—



                        ‘6 years’ or ‘Reserve’;










—



                        ‘9 years’;










—



                        ‘12 years’ or ‘Old Reserve’;










—



                        ‘15 years’;










—



                        ‘18 years’;










—



                        ‘21 years’;










—



                        ‘15 years’ or ‘Special Reserve’;










—



                        ‘18 years’ or ‘Superior Reserve’;










—



                        ‘21 years’ or ‘Grand Reserve’;










—



                        ‘25 years’ or other indication of greater age approved by the IVBAM, which may or may not be accompanied by the words ‘Premium Grand Reserve’.










—



                        ‘Rum da Madeira’ with indication of the production year – the ‘Rum da Madeira’ label may include the indication of the year of production (e.g.: ‘Rum da Madeira 2009’) where it has been produced in its entirety in the year in question and has been aged in oak barrels continuously after production until bottling (for a minimum of 3 years).




The year of bottling must be indicated as the year of production on the ‘Rum da Madeira’ label.
10.   Description of the link between the spirit drink and its geographical origin, including, where appropriate, the specific elements of the product description or production method justifying the link


               ‘Rum da Madeira’ embodies the perfect combination of natural and human factors, coupled with century-old ‘know-how’, which give this product its unique and unmistakable characteristics.
The island of Madeira's distinctive climate, its soil and the abundance of water resulting from the luxuriant vegetation that covers the island, are the main conditions that have allowed sugar cane to be planted and grown and that have greatly influenced the production of this crop, which is the main raw material and has a decisive influence on the unique characteristics of ‘Rum da Madeira’.
The small size of the plots combined with the terrain makes it almost impossible to use any kind of mechanisation. This means that most agricultural practices are heavily dependent on manual labour (mostly by family), not only to make the most of the natural resources and of the available agricultural area in particular, but also because of the difficulties created by the steeply sloping terrain. On the farms the sugar cane is harvested and moved around using manual labour. Tipper trucks are only used to transport the sugar cane to the processing plants.
The considerable diligence of the producers and the processors enables unique end products of very high quality to be obtained, making it possible to maintain a unique crop and processing activity in the European area and thereby ensuring the survival of sugar cane production on this small European plot of land.

Link to the product specification


https://tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt/images/prod_imagens/bebidas/docs/CE__Rum_Madeira.pdf



(1)  
            OJ L 270, 29.7.2021, p. 1.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/970/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)