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4.12.2018 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 437/5 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 27 November 2018 on the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of an application for amendment of a specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Cataluña/Catalunya (PDO)) (2018/C 437/05) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 ( 1 ) , and in particular Article 97(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) Spain has sent an application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. (2) The Commission has examined the application and concluded that the conditions laid down in Articles 93 to 96, Article 97(1), and Articles 100, 101 and 102 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 have been met. (3) In order to allow for the presentation of statements of opposition in accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ should be published in the Official Journal of the European Union , HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Sole Article The application for amendment of the specification for the name ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ (PDO), in accordance with Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, is contained in the Annex to this Decision. In accordance with Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the publication of this Decision confers the right to oppose the amendment of the specification referred to in the first paragraph of this Article within two months of the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union . Done at Brussels, 27 November 2018. For the Commission Phil HOGAN Member of the Commission ( 1 ) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671 . ANNEX ‘CATALUÑA’/‘CATALUNYA’ PDO-ES-A1549-AM03 Date of application: 14.11.2016 REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION 1. Rules applicable to the amendment Article 105 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council — Non-minor modification 2. Description and reasons for amendment 2.1. Enlargement of the production area This amendment affects point 4 of the specification (Demarcation of the geographical area) and point 6 of the single document (Demarcated area). It is a response to requests from the growers and wineries in the municipalities covered by the enlargement, which have for years been producing wines of demonstrated quality, under the same soil and climate conditions and with the same historical context as the rest of the municipalities that formed the production area at the time when this Designation of Origin was created. This has been demonstrated by a technical analysis commissioned for the purpose (Estudio de aptitud del territorio de Catalunya para el cultivo de la vid, según factores edafoclimáticos e históricos. Propuesta de sectorización de la DO CATALUNYA [‘Study on the suitability of the land in Catalonia for vine-growing, according to soil, climate and historical factors. Sector division proposal for PDO ‘CATALUÑA’/‘CATALUNYA’], Limonium, 2014). According to that study, the soils of the newly incorporated municipalities (in terms of their composition, texture and structure), the climate factors that condition them (temperature, rainfall, sunshine, temperature range, evapotranspiration/water deficit and frosts), and an identical human factor (history and culture) guarantee that the organoleptic profile of the wines produced is identical to that defined in the product specification for each of the product categories. The enlargement concerns the following 74 municipalities: Aguilar de Segarra Albagés, l' Albons Alfarràs Arenys de Mar Arenys de Munt Badalona Baronia de Rialb, la Bellcaire d'Empordà Bigues i Riells Bisbal d'Empordà, la Bovera Bruc, el Cabacés Cabrera de Mar Calella Canonja, la Capafons Cardedeu Castellolí Conca de Dalt Corçà Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura Febró, la Franqueses del Vallès Gaià Gimenells i el Pla de la Font Granollers Ivars d'Urgell Ivars de Noguera Juncosa Llardecans Lliçà d'Amunt Llorenç del Penedès Lloret de Mar Maials Marçà Massoteres Mataró Mont-ral Mont-ras Mont-roig del Camp Os de Balaguer Pla del Penedès, el Pobla de Segur, la Prades Salàs de Pallars Sant Cebrià de Vallalta Sant Feliu de Buixalleu Sant Feliu de Codines Sant Feliu de Guíxols Sant Iscle de Vallalta Sant Jordi Desvalls Sant Llorenç Savall Sant Martí Vell Sant Pol de Mar Sentmenat Siurana d'Empordà Sort Tallada d'Empordà Tivissa Tordera Torrefarrera Tortellà Ullà Vallgorguina Vandellós i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant Ventalló Vilademuls Vilamalla Vilanova de Prades Vilassar de Mar Vilopriu Vinyols i els Arcs 2.2. Lower acidity This amendment affects point 2.1.3 of the specification (Physical and chemical properties) and point 4 of the single document (Description of the wine(s)). Total tartaric acid has been reduced because in recent harvests it has become increasingly difficult for wineries to reach the established threshold. Products often failed to pass analytical checks, despite scoring high in organoleptic testing. It was therefore decided that the minimum total acidity would be reduced to the value laid down in EU rules. As a result, the minimum total acidity value has been reduced to 3,5 g/l, expressed in tartaric acid, for the three categories of product, irrespective of colour. 2.3. Changes to alcoholic strength limits for the wine and semi-sparkling wine product categories The removal of the actual alcoholic strength ceiling is inversely linked to the previous point. As the climate becomes hotter and drier with each passing year, total acidity drops and the alcoholic strength of the wines — particularly red wines — increases. Although at first glance it may seem incongruous to eliminate the upper limit for one value and reduce the limit for the other, these changes have been requested for different product types, albeit from the same category. Nowadays, to obtain the necessary quality in wines intended for ageing, a good phenolic ripeness of the skin and pips is essential. It is a well-known fact that phenolic ripeness often lags behind sugar ripeness (i.e. the sugar-to-acid ratio in the pulp). As a result of climate change — today undisputed among the scientific community — a growing gap between sugar ripeness and phenolic ripeness is becoming increasingly frequent. This results in pulp with a high sugar concentration at harvest, meaning that the resulting wine has a higher alcohol content. In young and semi-sparkling wines, however, the preference has been gradually shifting to lower alcoholic strengths. As prolonged soaking with the skins is not required for the production of young wines, a lack of phenolic ripeness is not as decisive as it is for wines intended for ageing. As a result: — The maximum actual alcoholic strength of 15 % vol. has been removed (changing point 2.1.1. of the specification but not affecting the single document). — The maximum total volumetric alcohol content laid down in EU legislation is applied (changing point 2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document). — The minimum actual alcoholic strength by volume is reduced to 4,5 % vol. for white, rosé and red wines entitled to use the qualifier xispejant (changing point 2.1.1. of the specification and point 4 of the single document). — Minimum actual strength and total alcoholic strength are reduced for semi-sparkling wines (changing point 2.1.2 of the specification and point 4 of the single document). 2.4. Introduction of the labelling term Xispejant This amendment affects point 8.3 of the specification (Presentation and labelling of products) and point 9 of the single document (Essential further conditions). An organoleptic description is introduced in point 2.2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document. The qualifier xispejant is intended to be used to label some of the young wines with a lower alcoholic strength. The aim is to attract new consumers, preferably from the 20-30 age group (who will undoubtedly be responsible for carrying on the wine-drinking tradition in the future). The term is to be used to evoke a lower-alcohol product with residual sugars and a slight presence of naturally occurring carbon dioxide (the Catalan word xispejant means ‘tangy’). These wines are therefore accessible and easy to drink, ideal for the first-time consumer whose tastes will later become more sophisticated and move on to other more serious, complex wines. Catalan society has a historical and cultural link with wines featuring naturally occurring carbon dioxide, as demonstrated by the fact that the specification already features a ‘semi-sparkling wine’ category, and by Catalonia's major sparkling wine production industry, whose origins date back to the first half of the nineteenth century. 2.5. Increase in barrel capacity This amendment affects point 2 of the specification (Product description), for wines labelled with the words Barrica (‘Barrel’) or Roble (‘Oak’). It does not affect the single document. Barrel capacity is increased from the current limit of 330 litres to 600 litres, the maximum volume at which, under the prevailing Spanish rules, the words Barrica and Roble can be used in labelling and presentation to describe the ageing of PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ products. The maximum capacity currently stated in the specification, 330 litres, presents an obstacle to the competitiveness of PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’ wineries vis-à-vis other designations of origin. The cost of ageing per litre of wine is higher with the current maximum barrel volume than it would be with 600-litre barrels. Besides, the market trend is shifting towards wines that are less influenced by wood. Increasing barrel capacity reduces the ratio of inner surface to volume of wine stored, therefore also reducing the aromas and tannins contributed by the wood per litre of wine. 2.6. Removal of planting density rules This amendment affects point 3 of the specification (Specific cultivation and oenological practices) and point 5 of the single document (Wine-making practices). Until now, planting density has been restricted to between 1 800 vines per hectare (minimum) and 4 500 vines per hectare (maximum). However, it is considered that the production yields laid down in the specification already provide enough control, and so the planting density rules should be removed. 2.7. Maximum total alcoholic strength This amendment affects point 2.1 of the specification and point 4 of the single document (Description of the wine(s)). Any values that are not expressly stated must be compliant the established legal limits, and the descriptions of the various categories of wine include general statements to the effect that the limits laid down in EU law apply. SINGLE DOCUMENT 1. Registered name ‘Cataluña’ ‘Catalunya’ 2. Geographical indication type PDO — Protected Designation of Origin 3. Categories of grapevine products 1. Wine 3. Liqueur wine 8. Semi-sparkling wine 4. Description of the wine(s) Wine — Whites These wines are modern and innovative. Their colour ranges from pale yellow with greenish hints to intense golden tones. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, and they are more or less structured depending on vine yield. They feature moderate acidity and a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. Floral and/or fruity notes are predominant in the younger wines, while wood-ageing lends the matured wines tertiary aromas characterised by vanilla and even toasted tones. The young wines are light and fresh, while the more mature wines are more unctuous and reminiscent of the barrels in which they are aged. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Maximum sulphur dioxide: 200 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 250 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) Wine — Rosés These wines are modern and innovative. Their colour ranges from bright red with an iridescent violet sheen to intermediate orange tones to onion skins. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, and they are more or less structured depending on vine yield. They have a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. These wines are light, fresh and balanced. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Maximum sulphur dioxide: 200 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 250 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 10,5 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) Wine — Reds Depending on ageing, their colour ranges from an intense cherry colour to faint ruby with a hint of ochre. The wines' aromatic intensity is medium to high, with the extent of their structure depending on the vine yield. They feature moderate acidity and a good alcohol content, and leave the drinker wanting to take another sip. The young wines are light and full of flavour, whereas fermenting and/or ageing in wooden barrels leads to well-rounded and longer-lasting wines that are mild but structured. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Volatile acidity may exceed 1 mEq/l for each degree of alcoholic strength in excess of 11 % and year of ageing, up to 20 mEq/l. Maximum sulphur dioxide: 150 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 200 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 11,5 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,33 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) Wine — Lower-alcohol whites, rosés and reds (xispejant) See the descriptions of whites, rosés and reds above. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Maximum sulphur dioxide: if the sugar content is below 5 g/l, 200 mg/l for whites and rosés and 150 mg/l for reds; if the sugar content is 5 g/l or above, 250 mg/l for whites and rosés and 200 mg/l for reds. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 4,5 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) Semi-sparkling wine The characteristics must be the same as those described in the above paragraphs for the wine colour in question, but with the added presence of bubbles. The wines are balanced and fresh, with a slight tingling sensation due to the release of carbon dioxide. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Maximum sulphur dioxide: if the sugar content is below 5 g/l, 200 mg/l for whites and rosés and 150 mg/l for reds; if the sugar content is 5 g/l or above, 250 mg/l for whites and rosés and 200 mg/l for reds. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 7 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) Liqueur wines Liqueur wines range from opaque, intense colours to the more evolved tones described for whites and reds, even reaching amber shades depending on maturity. The wines have a slight warmth, with more fruity aromas in those not subject to wood-ageing, while aldehyde and nut flavours characterise the more mature wines. They are warm, unctuous and persistent. Maximum total alcoholic strength: the maximum limits laid down in EU law apply. Volatile acidity may exceed 1 mEq/l for each degree of alcoholic strength in excess of 11 % and year of ageing, up to 20 mEq/l. Maximum sulphur dioxide: 150 mg/l if the sugar content is less than 5 g/l and 200 mg/l if it is 5 g/l or higher. General analytical characteristics Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) 15 Minimum total acidity 3,5 in grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) 13,3 Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) 5. Wine making practices a. Specific oenological practices Relevant restriction on making wines The utmost care must be exercised when harvesting the grapes. The wines covered by this PDO may only be made with healthy grapes that are ripe enough to produce wines with a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 9,5 % vol. or above for zone CII and 10 % vol. or above for zone CIII, as required by EU legislation. Appropriate pressure is applied to extract the must or wine and separate it from the grape skins, ensuring that no more than 70 litres of wine are yielded from every 100 kg of harvested grapes. b. Maximum yields White varieties 12 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare White varieties 84 hectolitres per hectare Red varieties 10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare Red varieties 70 hectolitres per hectare 6. Demarcated area Abrera Agramunt: former annexed district of Montclar Aguilar de Segarra Agullana Aiguamúrcia Albagés, l' Albi, l' Albiol, l' Albons Aleixar, l' Alfarràs Alcarràs: parcels 9022, 9017 and 9005 of cadastral polygon 6 and parcels 3, 57, 9001, 9003, 9004, 9007 and 9027 of cadastral polygon 15 Albinyana Alcover Alella Alforja Algerri Alió Almacelles: Parcels 25, 180, 193 and 196 of cadastral polygon 5 Almenar Almoster Alòs de Balaguer Alpicat Altafulla Ametlla de Mar, l' Almetlla de Segarra, l' Arbeca Arboç, l' Arenys de Mar Arenys de Munt Argentera, l' Argentona Arnes Artés Artesa de Segre Ascó Avinyó Avinyonet de Penedès Avinyonet de Puigventós Badalona Balaguer Balsareny Banyeres del Penedès Barbera de la Conca Barcelona: parcel 1 of cadastral polygon 1 Baronia de Rialb Batea Begues Begur Belianes Bellaguarda Bellcaire d'Empordà Bellmunt del Priorat Bellprat Bellvei Benissanet Bigues i Riells Bisbal d'Empordà, la Bisbal del Penedès, la Bisbal de Falset, la Biure Blancafort Boadella i les Escaules Bonastre Borges Blanques, las: parcels 30 and 96 of cadastral polygon 9; parcels 114, 165 and 167 of cadastral polygon 21, and parcels 118, 119 and 120 of cadastral polygon 22 Borges del Camp, les Bot Botarell Bovera Bràfim Bruc, el Cabacés Cabanes Cabanyes, les Cabassers Cabra del Camp Cabrera d'Igualada Cabrera de Mar Cabrils Cadaqués Calafell Calders Caldes de Montbui: parcel 57 of cadastral polygon 1 and parcel 12 of cadastral polygon 2 Calella Callús Calonge Cambrils Canonja, la Canovelles Cantallops Canyelles Capafons Capellades Capçanes Capmany Cardedeu Cardona Carme Caseres Castell-Platja d'Aro Castell de Mur: annexed districts of Cellers and Guardia de Tremp Castellbisbal Castellet i la Gornal Castellfollit del Boix Castellgalí Castellnou de Bages Castelló de Farfanya Castellolí Castellvell del Camp Castellví de la Marca Castellví de Rosanes Catllar, el Cervelló Cervià de les Garrigues Cistella Ciutadilla Colera Collbató Colldejou Conca de Dalt Conesa Constantí Copons Corbera de Llobregat Corçà Corbera d'Ebre Cornudella de Montsant Creixell Cruïlles; Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura Cubells: parcel 90 of cadastral polygon 7 Cubelles Cunit Darnius Duesaigües Esparraguera Espluga Calba, l' Espluga de Francolí, l' Espolla Falset Fatarella, la Febró, la Figuera, la Figueres Figuerola del Camp Flix Floresta, la Fogars de Montclús Fonollosa Font-rubí Foradada Forallac Forés Franqueses del Vallès Fulleda Gaià Gandesa Garcia Garidells, els Garriguella Gavet de la Conca and its annexed districts Sant Cristofol de la Vall, Sant Martí de Barcedana and Sant Miquel de la Vall Gelida Gimenells i el Pla de la Font Ginestar Granada, la Granollers Granyanella Granyena de Segarra Gratallops Guiamets, els Guimerà Horta de Sant Joan Hostalets de Pierola, els Igualada Isona i Conca Dellà and its annexed districts Conques, Figuerola d'Orcau, Orcau-Basturs and Sant Romà d'Abella Ivars d'Urgell Ivars de Noguera Jonquera, la Jorba Juncosa Juneda: parcel 487 of cadastral polygon 5, parcels 14, 15, 16, 33, 34 and 37 of cadastral polygon 12, and parcels 3, 4 and 5 of cadastral polygon 13 Llacuna, la Llançà Llardecans Lleida: annexed districts of Raimat and Sucs Llers Lliçà d'Amunt Llimiana Lloar, el Llorenç del Penedès Lloret de Mar Maials Maldà Manresa Marçà Margalef Marsà Martorell Martorelles Masarac Masllorenç Masnou, el Masó, la Maspujols Masquefa Masroig, el Massoteres Mataró Mediona Menàrguens Milà, el Miravet Molar, el Mollet de Peralada Montgat Monistrol de Calders Montblanc Montbrió del Camp Montferri Montmell, el Montoliu de Segarra Montornès de Segarra Montornès del Vallès Mont-ral Mont-ras Mont-roig del Camp Móra d'Ebre Móra la Nova Morell Morera de Montsant, la, and its annexed district Scala-dei Mura Nalec Navarcles Navàs Nou de Gaiá, la Nulles Òdena Olèrdola Olesa de Bonesvalls Olivella Omells de na Gaia, els Omellons, els Orpí Òrrius Os de Balaguer Pacs del Penedès Palafrugell Palamós Palau-sator Palau-saverdera Pallaresos, els Palma d'Ebre, la Pals Pau Pedret i Marzà Penelles Perafort Peralada Perelló, el Piera Pinell de Brai, el Pira Pla de la Font, el Pla de Santa Maria, el Pla del Penedès, el Pla del Penedès Pobla de Cérvoles, la Pobla de Claramunt, la Pobla de Mafumet, la Pobla de Massaluca, la Pobla de Montornès, la Pobla de Segur Poboleda Pont d'Armentera, el Pont de Molins, Pont de Vilomara i Rocafort, el Pontons Porrera Port de la Selva, el Portbou Pradell de la Teixeta, el Prades Prat del Compte Preixana Preixens Premià de Dalt Premià de Mar Puigdàlber Puigpelat Querol Rabós Rajadell Rasquera Regencós Renau Reus Riba-roja d'Ebre Riera de Gaià, la Riudecanyes Riudecols Riudoms Riumors Roca del Vallès, la Roda de Barà Rodonyà Rocafort de Queralt Roses Rourell, el Sabadell: ‘Can Gambús’, a two-hectare estate with the cadastral reference number 28003001 DG2020A Salàs de Pallars Sallent Salomó Sant Cebrià de Vallalta Sant Climent Sescebes Sant Cugat de Sesgarrigues Sant Esteve Sesrovires Sant Feliu de Buixalleu Sant Feliu de Codines Sant Feliu de Guíxols Sant Fost de Campsentelles Sant Fruitós de Bages Sant Iscle de Vallalta Sant Jaume dels Domenys Sant Joan de Vilatorrada Sant Jordi Desvalls Sant Llorenç Savall Sant Llorens d'Hortons Sant Martí de Riucorb Sant Martí de Tous Sant Martí Sarroca Sant Martí Vell Sant Mateu de Bages Sant Pere de Ribes Sant Pere de Riudebitlles Sant Pol de Mar Sant Quintí de Mediona Sant Sadurní d'Anoia Sant Salvador de Guardiola Santa Cristina d'Aro Santa Margarida i els Monjos Santa Maria de Miralles Santa Maria d'Oló Santa Oliva Santa Fe del Penedès Santa Maria de Martorelles Santa Margarida de Montbui Santpedor Sarral Secuita, la Selva del Camp, la Selva de Mar, la Senan Sentmenat Sitges Siurana d'Empordà Solivella Sort Subirats Súria Talamanca Talarn Tallada d'Empordà Tarragona Tàrrega Tarrés Teià Terrades Tiana Tivissa Tordera Torrebesses: parcels 247 and 283 of cadastral polygon 6 Torre de Claramunt, la Torre de Fontaubella, la Torre de l'Espanyol, la Torredembarra Torrefarrera Torrelavit Torrelles de Foix Torrent Torroella de Montgrí Torroja del Priorat Tortellà Tremp (former municipality) and its annexed districts Gurb, Palau de Noguera, Puigcercós, Suterranya and Vilamitjana Ullà Ulldemolins Vallbona de les Monges Vallbona d'Anoia Vallclara Vallfogona de Riucorb Vallgorguina Vallirana Vall-llobrega Vallromanes Valls Vandellós i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant Vallmoll Vendrell, el Ventalló Verdú Vespella Vilademuls Vila-rodona Vilafant Vilafranca del Penedès Vilagrassa: parcel 92 of cadastral polygon 4 Vilajuïga Vilalba dels Arcs Vilallonga del Camp Vilamalla Vilamaniscle Vilanant Vilanova del Camí Vilanova d'Escornalbou Vilanova de Prades Vilanova i la Geltrú Vilanova del Vallès Vila-seca Vilassar de Dalt Vilassar de Mar Vilabella Vilaverd Vilella Alta, la Vilella Baixa, la Vilosell, el Vilobí del Penedès Vilopriu Vimbodí Vinaixa Vinebre Vinyols i els Ares 7. Main wine grapes PARELLADA — MONTONEC PARELLADA — MONTONEGA XAREL LO — PANSAL XAREL LO — PANSA BLANCA XAREL LO — CARTOIXA GARNACHA TINTA — LLADONER 8. Description of the link(s) Wines The marked Mediterranean influence produces smooth, dense wines, with relatively low acidity, a high alcohol content and aromas that, particularly in the case of red wines, improve with age. The bright sunshine enjoyed by our region boosts the development of the intense colours — red in particular — that are so typical of our wines. Silt and loam are the predominant soil textures, lending body and structure to both white and red varieties and producing reds with even more colour. The broad range of varieties of grape existing in Catalonia is even more proof of the openness to the world that has always characterised Catalans. It is also the reflection of a long history of wine-making in the region. According to a quote from Pere Gil dating back to 1600: ‘Wines are made throughout Catalonia, in both maritime and Mediterranean areas… The wines of Catalonia are typically strong and very good. They make all kinds of wines…’ Jaume Ciurana (1980) described a basic unity in all Catalan wines, which gives a common characteristic to all of them: dedication, desire for improvement and a spirit of achievement in the people that made them. Semi-sparkling wines The chalky soils produce wines that are vibrant, aromatic and extremely refined. Bringing forward the harvesting date makes it possible to obtain a lower alcoholic strength and greater acidity. Coupled with the presence of naturally occurring carbon dioxide, this gives the wines their characteristic refreshing sensation. Catalan society has a historical and cultural link with wines featuring naturally occurring carbon dioxide, as demonstrated by Catalonia's major sparkling wine production industry, whose origins date back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Liqueur wines The marked Mediterranean influence and the texture of the soils already described for the wine category act in the same way in liqueur wines under the PDO ‘Cataluña’/‘Catalunya’, giving them a great deal of intensity in colour and aroma, body and medium to low acidity. Liqueur wines are frequently the digestif of choice at many Catalan tables, with this type of wine paired with assorted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts) and dried fruit (raisins, figs, apricots) in the traditional Catalan dessert known as ‘ postres de músic ’ (‘musician's dessert’). 9. Essential further conditions Legal framework: In national legislation Type of further condition: Additional provisions relating to labelling Description of the condition: The term xispejant may optionally be included on the labels of whites, rosés or reds with lower alcoholic strength produced by deliberately interrupting fermentation. Link to the product specification http://goo.gl/Plwa75