12.9.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 322/9
These labels must be affixed in such a way that they cannot be reused.
The logo of the Protected Geographical Indication is:
4.
Concise definition of the geographical area The geographical area in which ‘Cecina de León’ is made consists solely and exclusively of the province of León.
5.
Link with the geographical area The link between the geographical area and the product ‘Cecina de León’ is based on its reputation and the specific characteristics of the product.
It is a meat product with characteristic colour, marbling, succulence and flavour, not notably fibrous and with a distinctive smoky aroma that sets it apart from cecina from other areas.
Its specific characteristics have brought it significant fame and reputation over many years of traditional production in the demarcated geographical area.
The following examples are evidence of the reputation of ‘Cecina de León’.
On 28 October 2013, the Spanish state television channel RTVE broadcast the programme Un país para comérselo [A country good enough to eat] (36 minutes) about Leon and its agri-food products.
The programme featured various recipes using ‘Cecina de León’ as an ingredient, highlighting the specific characteristics of the product.
On 29 June 2021, another RTVE programme España Directo [Spain live] described the production process and the characteristics of the product.
Both programmes are available at https://www.rtve.es/ Other magazines dedicated to travel and gastronomy, such as Traveler and Cocina y vino highlight the reputation of ‘Cecina de León’ both nationally and internationally.
An article in Traveler entitled ‘Why Leon should be the Capital of Gastronomy 2018’, published 13 October 2017, says: ‘It is the case that the “Leon brand” has been known outside of Spain for some time.
Products such as chorizo, cecina and certain cheeses from Leon have triumphed in far-flung corners of the globe as diverse as Hong Kong, Rome and even the Caribbean.’
Another article in Cocina y vino entitled ‘What do they eat in Spain at Christmas?’, published 20 December 2020, talks about traditional Spanish foods, including ‘Cecina de León’: ‘For starters, there are cheeses or beef cecina, which is so typical of Leon’.
In 2018, when Leon was the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy, ‘Cecina de León’ entered the Guinness Book of Records with ‘The world’s biggest piece of cecina’.
Furthermore, for two years running, ‘Cecina de León’ received the highest award in the prestigious international competition Great Taste Awards, gaining two and three stars in 2020, and three stars in 2021.
Producers of ‘Cecina de León’ take part in national and international fairs, where they promote the reputation of the cecina.
These include the Food Fair in Barcelona, the Gourmet Salon and Meat Attraction in Madrid, and also the SIAL exhibition in Paris and Anuga fair in Germany.