C 70/26
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
27.2.2023
Products that have not been sold within 48 hours of harvesting must be properly refrigerated or treated by other methods designed to slow down the fruit’s metabolic processes. 3.6.
Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to ‘Ciliegia di Marostica’ PGI intended for sale for fresh consumption must be packed in special containers with a maximum capacity of 10 kg.
The materials used must be suitable for food contact.
The contents of each pack must be uniform and consist exclusively of cherries of the same origin, variety and quality.
As regards non-uniformity in size, a tolerance of 10 % applies as regards the number or weight of cherries in each individual pack.
The use of the EU symbol is compulsory.
Each pack must bear the following logo of the geographical indication:
4.
Concise definition of the geographical area The production area of ‘Ciliegia di Marostica’ comprises the administrative territory of 8 municipalities in the province of Vicenza: Marostica, Salcedo, Fara Vicentino, Breganze, Colceresa, Pianezze, Bassano and Schiavon.
5.
Link with the geographical area The production area of the ‘Ciliegia di Marostica’ has long been documented as being well suited to the growing of cherries.
The quality of the cherries harvested in the area has been acknowledged by several authors.
This area extends northwards over a hilly area with an altitude of between 100 and 400 metres; the southern part comprises high plains with a predominant altitude of between 90 and 100 metres above sea level.
The land on which the cherries are cultivated and which derives in large part from Tertiary basalt rock is particularly fertile, poor in nitrogen but rich in potassium.
This type of substrate, together with the sloping southern exposure, prevents the stagnation of water and the build-up of sugars.
The area has a moderate and breezy climate with almost no fog and is protected by the Alps and Dolomites to the north.
The cherries are heart-shaped, large in size, bright red to dark red in colour and their flesh is moderately juicy, with a sweet and very pleasant flavour.
The link between ‘Ciliegia di Marostica’ and its production area is the fruit’s traditional reputation, which dates back to the 15th century and continues to the present day.
The growing of cherries on the hills of Marostica has been documented in historical records going back to Roman times and later eras.
The renown of the ‘Ciliegia di Marostica’ seems to hark back to the ancient story of a game of chess played with live pieces in 1454 between two knights who were vying for the hand of a young lady, the daughter of Taddeo Parisio, lord and governor of the ‘noble lands and castle of Marostica’.
The winner of the game duly married the governor’s daughter while the loser married her sister.
In memory of that happy event, Taddeo Parisio ordered that cherry trees be planted throughout the area.
The ‘Mostra regionale delle ciliegie’ (Regional Cherry Fair), which is held in the production area every year at the end of May, commemorates the chess game by choosing two young ladies who take on the role of the brides in the re-enactment of this piece of history.