Within 3 months from the date of this publication, the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in a third country, may lodge, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), an opposition procedure with the Commission.

APPLICATION FOR A UNION AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

‘Süd-Oststeiermark’

PDO-AT-A0226-AM01

Date of application: 21.2.2020

1.   Applicant and legitimate interest

Styria Regional Wine Committee

The Styria Regional Wine Committee establishes the conditions for producing DAC wines in Styria.

2.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

☒	Name of product

☐	Category of the grapevine product

☐

Link

☐	Marketing restrictions

3.   Description and reasons for amendment

3.1.   Change of name from ‘Süd-Oststeiermark’ PDO to ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO

The purpose of the name change from ‘Süd-OstSteiermark’ to ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ is better to express the nature of the provenance of the wines. The south-east of Styria is of volcanic origin and the soils are also volcanic. The name change is therefore intended better to reflect the natural conditions and make them clearer and more understandable for consumers.

This amendment affects the heading lit. a) in the product specification and section 1 of the single document.

3.2.   Maximum yield per hectare

The maximum yield per hectare was 9 000 kg prior to the 2020 harvest and has been 10 000 kg since then. This amendment corresponds to a general change in the maximum yield per hectare in Austria.

This amendment affects the heading lit. e) in the product specification and section 5 of the single document.

3.3.   Vine varieties

In the context of the name change, the requirements on vine varieties have been made stricter. All the vine varieties authorised in Austria for the production of Qualitätswein (quality wine) were allowed for the ‘Süd-OstSteiermark’ PDO without restriction. With the establishment of the ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO, the list of possible vine varieties is limited to those typical of the area of provenance (Welschriesling, Weißburgunder, Morillon, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Gelber Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer, and blends thereof).

This amendment affects the heading lit. f) in the product specification and section 7 of the single document.

3.4.   Labelling

In order to make consumers aware of the specific character of the wines bearing the new ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO, the traditional designation ‘DAC’ or ‘Districtus Austriae Controllatus’ must appear on all wines.

This amendment affects heading lit. h) of the product specification and section 9) of the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name of product

Vulkanland Steiermark

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected designation of origin

3.   Categories of grapevine products

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO area produces only white wines of the vine varieties Welschriesling, Weißburgunder, Morillon, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Gelber Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer and blends thereof.

Colour: Clear and bright, the wines range from a pale straw yellow to green-yellow in colour.

Aroma: Wines produced from the Burgunder varieties are distinguished in particular by aromas of herbs and spices (basil, clove, mint, nutmeg). The wines also have a characteristic mineral aroma, which is described as the smell of damp stone.

Taste: The gustatory profile is defined by acidic flavours: yellow apple, quince and, in the finish, a hint of citrus.

Any analytical parameters not shown in the table below comply with the limits laid down in national and EU legislation.

General analytical characteristics
Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)	15,0
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)	9,0
Minimum total acidity	4,0 grams per litre, expressed as tartaric acid
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)	18
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)	200

5.   Wine making practices

a.	Specific oenological practices -

b.	Maximum yields ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO 10 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The designation of origin ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ covers the political districts of Süd-Oststeiermark, Hartberg/Fürstenfeld and Weiz and the municipalities in the district of Leibnitz which are situated on the left bank of the Mur (Strass in Steiermark, St. Veit in der Südsteiermark, Allerheiligen bei Wildon, St. Georgen an der Stiefing, Gabersdorf, Schwarzautal and Heiligenkreuz am Wasen).

7.   Wine grape variety(ies)

Chardonnay - Morillon

Grauer Burgunder - Pinot Gris

Grauer Burgunder - Ruländer

Muskateller - Gelber Muskateller

Sauvignon Blanc

Traminer - Gelber Traminer

Traminer - Gewürztraminer

Weißer Burgunder - Weißburgunder

Weißer Riesling - Riesling

Welschriesling

8.   Description of the link(s)

‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO

Climate: The wine-growing area of the ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO is characterised by the transition from the hot, dry Pannonian climate to the humid Illyrian Mediterranean climate, with a pronounced difference in temperature between the hot days and cool nights.

Soil: Volcanic soils, basalt soils and sandy, heavy loam soils predominate in the wine-growing area of the ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO.

Summary: The soil conditions give the wines their typical mineral aroma (also described as the aroma of damp stone). The pronounced difference in temperature between the hot days and the cool nights means that the glucose produced in the daytime is transformed into substances with an acidic note at night. This gives rise to the typical flavour of yellow apple, quince and citrus and, in the case of the Burgunder varieties, notes of herbs and spices (e.g. basil, nutmeg or clove).

9.   Specific further requirements (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Marking requirement

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

In order to make consumers aware of the specific character of the wines bearing the new ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO, the traditional designation ‘DAC’ or ‘Districtus Austriae Controllatus’ must appear on all wines.

Notification for bottling outside of the demarcated area

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

No geographical restrictions apply to the bottling of ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO wines. In the event of bottling of ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’ PDO wines outside the growing area, the Styria Regional Wine Committee must be notified for monitoring purposes.

Link to the product specification

https://info.bml.gv.at/themen/landwirtschaft/landwirtschaft-in-oesterreich/pflanzliche-produktion/wein/Weinherkunft.html

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(1)  Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143, 23.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj).