This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Rheinischer Landwein’

PGI-DE-A1301-AM01

Date of communication: 27 October 2023

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Description of the changes

a)   Description of the wine / grapevine products and analytical and/or organoleptic characteristics

The minimum natural alcoholic strength and minimum natural must weight of ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ have been set out in a separate point. There are no changes in content. The following sentence on cellar accounting has been inserted for clarification: ‘The must weight in the fermentation container must be recorded.’

An organoleptic description of the various products has also been provided.

b)   Demarcation of the area

With regard to the ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ PGI area, the district of Bingerbrück has been listed as an exception for the municipality of Bingen am Rhein.

Maps showing the demarcation of the area can be viewed at www.ble.de/eu-qualitaetskennzeichen-wein.

The area in which Landwein may be produced has been amended. To date, production of ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ has only been possible in the Rheinhessen growing area. The rules in this regard have been aligned with legal requirements and now allow for ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ to also be produced in a different area of the same federal state or in a neighbouring federal state:

c)   Wine grape varieties

To date, the following grape varieties have been listed under point 7 (which is to become point 8) of the product specification:

White wine

Albalonga, Arnsburger, Auxerrois, Bacchus, Bronner, Chardonnay, Ehrenbreitsteiner, Ehrenfelser, Faberrebe, Findling, Freisamer, Gelber Muskateller, Gewürztraminer, Grauer Burgunder, Grüner Silvaner, Grüner Veltliner, Helios, Hibernal, Hölder, Huxelrebe, Johanniter, Juwel, Kanzler, Kerner, Kernling, Mariensteiner, Merzling, Morio-Muskat, Müller-Thurgau, Muskat-Ottonel, Nobling, Optima, Orion, Ortega, Perle, Phoenix, Prinzipal, Regner, Reichensteiner, Rieslaner, Roter Gutedel, Roter Muskateller, Roter Traminer, Saphira, Sauvignon Blanc, Scheurebe, Schönburger, Septimer, Siegerrebe, Silcher, Sirius, Solaris, Staufer, Weißer Burgunder, Weißer Gutedel, Weißer Riesling, Würzer.

Red and rosé wine

Acolon, Blauer Frühburgunder, Blauer Limberger, Blauer Portugieser, Blauer Silvaner, Blauer Spätburgunder, Blauer Trollinger, Blauer Zweigelt, Bolero, Cabernet Carbon, Cabernet Cortis, Cabernet Cubin, Cabernet Dorio, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Mitos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dakapo, Deckrot, Domina, Dornfelder, Dunkelfelder, Färbertraube, Früher Roter Malvasier, Hegel, Heroldrebe, Merlot, Monarch, Müllerrebe, Muskat Hamburg, Neronet, Palas, Prior, Regent, Rondo, Rotberger, Rubinet, Saint Laurent, Syrah.

AMENDMENTS

In future, the grape varieties will be listed under the headings ‘white grape varieties’ and ‘red grape varieties’ instead of ‘white wine’ and ‘red and rosé wine’.

The following varieties have been removed:

‘Blauer Silvaner’ (wrong list)

‘Früher Roter Malvasier’ (wrong list)

‘Muskat Hamburg’.

The following varieties have been added:

White grape varieties:

Red grape varieties:

d)   Other requirements laid down by an organisation managing the PDO/PGI

The following provision which reflects existing legislation will be maintained: 100 % of grapes used in production must come from the area the Landwein takes its name from. This rule is indicated as a requirement laid down by an organisation managing the PDO/PGI (protection association) and no longer as a requirement under national law. The figure of 100 % is now explicitly mentioned, and reference is made to it in the list identifying the demarcated area and the list of grape varieties in the product specification.

The wording ‘ “Rheinischer Landwein” may only be made from grapes coming from vineyards in the winegrowing area and from authorised grape varieties’ has been amended as follows:

e)   Control body

In point 11 of the specification, the fax number and tasks of the control body have been amended. This is because responsibility for new planting permits has been transferred from the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture (Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland-Pfalz – LWK) to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung – BLE).

f)   Other

Editorial changes in line with EU requirements. This includes any amendments made to reflect current legislation, by referring to the applicable rules or deleting the wording in question.

2.   Reasons for the changes

a)   Description of the wine / grapevine products and analytical and/or organoleptic characteristics

The minimum natural alcoholic strength and minimum natural must weight have been listed under a separate point to make the product specification clearer. The removal of the conversion table means that there is no longer any legal basis for indicating the minimum natural must weight. However, as producers in practice work with the Öchslegrade (must weight scale), this will continue to feature in the product specification. The indication of the minimum natural alcoholic strength and the indication of the minimum natural must weight will therefore be combined by the word ‘and’. This clearly shows that both the value of the minimum natural alcoholic strength and the value of the minimum natural must weight must be observed by producers if they are to market products as ‘Rheinischer Landwein’. In order to avoid misunderstandings with regard to cellar accounting, the protection association (Schutzgemeinschaft) decided to insert a sentence clarifying that only the minimum must weight has to be recorded in the winery records.

The descriptions of the organoleptic characteristics have been made more nuanced in order to better reflect the different products.

b)   Demarcation of the area

The district of Bingerbrück has been excluded from the ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ PGI area, as it forms part of the Nahe growing area.

The product specification should not define the production options more narrowly than the law requires.

c)   Wine grape varieties

The previous list of grape varieties was incorrect and incomplete. All varieties cultivated in the growing area which have been classified to date will be added to it, as these varieties have already proved their worth in the area. The wines produced from these varieties comply with the requirements of the product specification. Muskat Hamburg is a table grape, so it is not permitted. Blauer Silvaner and Früher Roter Malvasier have been removed from the list of red varieties, as they are used to produce white wines.

In future, the grape varieties will be listed under the headings ‘white grape varieties’ and ‘red grape varieties’ instead of ‘white wine’ and ‘red and rosé wine’, as it is the list of grape varieties in the product specification that determines whether varieties can or cannot be cultivated, not the end product.

d)   Other requirements laid down by an organisation managing the PDO/PGI

National legislation does not include the 100 % rule as amended. It is therefore indicated as a requirement laid down by an organisation managing the PDO/PGI (protection association). The amendments made to the text (e.g. explicitly mentioning the figure of 100 %) are to clarify the substance of the original provision. There are no changes in content.

e)   Control body

The fax number has changed.

The wording on new planting permits has been amended to reflect the applicable legislation.

f)   Other

Editorial changes have to be made in order to comply with EU requirements.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name(s)

Rheinischer Landwein

2.   Geographical indication type

PGI – Protected geographical indication

3.   Categories of grapevine product

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   Wine, white

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The white wines tend to be pale to straw yellow in colour, often with green tints. They usually have aromas of yellow and tropical fruit, occasionally also with floral nutmeg notes, and a fine balance between sweetness and acidity.

Riesling wines reflect the differences between the various terroirs of the ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ area particularly well.

Notably, mash-fermented white wines can also appear orange in colour, with reddish and brown tints. The white wines may also have a stable or, when shaken, noticeable natural cloudiness (e.g. from fermenting yeast, must lees or tannin and crystal sediment). However, cloudiness created artificially through the addition of processing aids, or caused by defects in the wine, is not permitted. On the nose there are also deliberate oxidative, phenolic or reductive notes of delicate to moderate intensity.

After enrichment, the total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 11,5 %.

For analytical characteristics where no figure is given, the current legislation applies.

General analytical characteristics

—	Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum total acidity:

—	Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

2.   Wine, red

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The red wines are red to deep red in colour, often with bluish, violet tints. They usually have aromas of red fruit and berries and a soft acid structure. Medium-bodied wines have a soft acidity and a discreet tannin structure, with a high degree of fruitiness. The wines may also have a stable or, when shaken, noticeable natural cloudiness (e.g. from fermenting yeast, must lees or tannin and crystal sediment). However, cloudiness created artificially through the addition of processing aids, or caused by defects in the wine, is not permitted.

The natural alcoholic strength may, through enrichment, be increased to a total alcoholic strength by volume of up to 12 %.

For analytical characteristics where no figure is given, the current legislation applies.

General analytical characteristics

—	Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum total acidity:

—	Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

3.   Wine, rosé, Blanc de Noir

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The rosé wines are faint to light red in colour, and are produced exclusively from softly pressed red grape varieties. The Blanc de Noir wines are the colour of white wine. They are usually characterised by aromas of red fruit and berries and a fresh, lively acidity. The wines may also have a stable or, when shaken, noticeable natural cloudiness (e.g. from fermenting yeast, must lees or tannin and crystal sediment). However, cloudiness created artificially through the addition of processing aids, or caused by defects in the wine, is not permitted.

The natural alcoholic strength may, through enrichment, be increased to a total alcoholic strength by volume of up to 11,5 %.

For analytical characteristics where no figure is given, the current legislation applies.

General analytical characteristics

—	Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum total acidity:

—	Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

4.   Rotling wine

BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The Rotling wines are faint to light red in colour, and are made by blending white and red grapes or must. They tend to be medium-bodied with aromas of yellow and red fruit. The wines may also have a stable or, when shaken, noticeable natural cloudiness (e.g. from fermenting yeast, must lees or tannin and crystal sediment). However, cloudiness created artificially through the addition of processing aids, or caused by defects in the wine, is not permitted.

The natural alcoholic strength may, through enrichment, be increased to a total alcoholic strength by volume of up to 11,5 %.

For analytical characteristics where no figure is given, the current legislation applies.

General analytical characteristics

—	Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume):

—	Minimum total acidity:

—	Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre):

—	Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre):

5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Specific oenological practice

The current legislation applies.

2.   Relevant restrictions on making the wines

The current legislation applies.

3.   Cultivation practices

The current legislation applies.

5.2.   Maximum yields

150 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

In order to bear the protected geographical indication ‘Rheinischer Landwein’, products must come from vineyards in the following municipalities: Albig, Alsheim, Alzey, Appenheim, Armsheim, Aspisheim, Badenheim, Bechenheim, Bechtheim, Bechtolsheim, Bermersheim (rural district of Alzey-Worms), Bermersheim vor der Höhe, Biebelnheim, Biebelsheim, Bingen am Rhein (except Bingerbrück), Bodenheim, Bornheim (rural district of Alzey-Worms), Bubenheim (rural district of Mainz-Bingen), Budenheim, Dalheim, Dexheim, Dienheim, Dintesheim, Dittelsheim-Heßloch, Dolgesheim, Dorn-Dürkheim, Eckelsheim, Eich, Eimsheim, Engelstadt, Ensheim, Eppelsheim, Erbes-Büdesheim, Esselborn, Essenheim, Flonheim, Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Flomborn, Framersheim, Frei-Laubersheim, Freimersheim (rural district of Alzey-Worms), Frettenheim, Friesenheim, Fürfeld, Gabsheim, Gau-Algesheim, Gau-Bickelheim, Gau-Bischofsheim, Gau-Heppenheim, Gau-Odernheim, Gau-Weinheim, Gensingen, Gimbsheim, Grolsheim, Gumbsheim, Gundersheim, Gundheim, Guntersblum, Hackenheim, Hahnheim, Hangen- Weisheim, Harxheim (rural district of Mainz-Bingen), Hillesheim (rural district of Mainz-Bingen), Hochborn, Hohen-Sülzen, Horrweiler, Ingelheim am Rhein, Jugenheim in Rheinhessen, Kettenheim, Klein-Winternheim, Köngernheim, Lonsheim, Lörzweiler, Ludwigshöhe, Mainz, Mauchenheim, Mettenheim, Mölsheim, Mommenheim, Monsheim, Monzernheim, Mörstadt, Nack, Nackenheim, Neu-Bamberg, Nieder-Hilbersheim, Nieder-Olm, Nieder-Wiesen, Nierstein, Ober-Flörsheim, Ober-Hilbersheim, Ober-Olm, Ockenheim, Offenheim, Offstein, Oppenheim, Osthofen, Partenheim, Pfaffen-Schwabenheim, Pleitersheim, Sankt Johann (rural district of Mainz-Bingen), Saulheim, Schornsheim, Schwabenheim an der Selz, Selzen, Siefersheim, Sörgenloch, Spiesheim, Sprendlingen, Stadecken-Elsheim, Stein-Bockenheim, Sulzheim, Tiefenthal (rural district of Bad Kreuznach), Udenheim, Uelversheim, Undenheim, Vendersheim, Volxheim, Wachenheim (rural district of Alzey-Worms), Wahlheim, Wallertheim (Wallertheim, Wißberg), Weinolsheim, Welgesheim, Wendelsheim, Westhofen, Wintersheim, Wolfsheim, Wöllstein, Wonsheim, Worms, Wörrstadt, Zornheim, Zotzenheim.

Maps showing the demarcation of the area can be viewed at www.ble.de/eu-qualitaetskennzeichen-wein.

Landwein may be produced in an area other than the specified growing area in which the grapes were harvested and which is indicated on the labelling, provided that the production area is situated in the same federal state or in a neighbouring federal state.

7.   Wine grape varieties

Accent

Acolon

Adelfränkisch - Grüner Adelfränkisch

Albalonga

Alegrillo Negro

Alvarinho - Albarino

Arnsburger

Auxerrois - Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois

Bacchus

Barbera

Bettlertraube - Grüne Bettlertraube

Blauer Frühburgunder - Pinot Noir Précoce, Pinot Madeleine, Madeleine Noir, Frühburgunder, Pinot Madelaine

Blauer Gänsfüßer

Blauer Hängling

Blauer Limberger - Lemberger, Blaufränkisch, Limberger

Blauer Muskateller - Muskateller, Schwarzblauer Muskateller; Muscat Noir, Schwarzer Muskateller, Muscat a petits grains noirs

Blauer Portugieser

Blauer Silvaner

Blauer Spätburgunder

Blauer Trollinger - Trollinger, Vernatsch

Blauer Zweigelt - Zweigeltrebe, Rotburger, Zweigelt

Blütenmuskateller

Bolero

Bronner

Cabaret Noir

Cabernet Blanc

Cabernet Cantor

Cabernet Carbon

Cabernet Cortis

Cabernet Cubin

Cabernet Dorio

Cabernet Dorsa

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Jura

Cabernet Mitos

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabertin

Calabrese - Nero d’Avola

Calardis Blanc

Carménère

Chardonnay

Chatus

Chenin Blanc

Cumdeo Blanc

Cumdeo Rouge

Dakapo

Dalkauer

Deckrot

Divico

Domina

Donauriesling

Donauveltliner

Dornfelder

Dunkelfelder

Ehrenbreitsteiner

Ehrenfelser

Faberrebe

Felicia

Findling

Freisamer

Früher Leipziger

Früher Roter Malvasier - Malvasier, Früher Malvasier, Malvoisie

Furmint

Färbertraube

Gamay Noir

Gelber Kleinberger

Gelber Muskateller

Gelber Orleans - Orleans

Glera

Gm 324-58

Gm 6421-15

Gm 6421-2

Gm 6423-12

Gm 6423-12

Gm 6427-5

Gm 674-1

Gm 7217-5

Gm 789-10

Gm 7926-1

Gm 7941-11

Gm 8210-1

Goldmuskateller - Muskateller

Grenache noir - Grenache

Grüner Silvaner - Silvaner, Sylvaner

Grüner Veltliner - Veltliner

Grünfränkisch

Hartblau

Hegel

Helios

Heroldrebe

Hibernal

Huxelrebe - Huxel

Hölder

Jakob Gerhardt Blanc - Jakob Gerhardt blanc

Johanniter

Juwel

Kanzler

Kerner

Kernling

Kleiner Fränkischer Burgunder - Burgunder Fränkisch Kleiner

Lagrein - Blauer Lagrein, Lagrain

Laurot

Malbec

Manzoni Bianco - Manzoni Bianco

Mariensteiner

Marsanne Blanche - Marsanne

Merlot

Merzling

Monarch

Morio Muskat

Mucabona

Muscaris

Muskat Ottonel - Muskat-Ottonel

Muskat Trollinger

Müller Thurgau - Rivaner

Müllerrebe - Schwarzriesling, Pinot Meunier

Nebbiolo

Neronet

Nobling

Optima 113 - Optima

Orangentraube

Orion

Ortega

Palas

Perle

Petit Manseng

Petit Verdot

Petite Syrah

Phoenix - Phönix

Pinot Nova

Pinotage

Pinotin

Pollux

Primitivo - Zinfandel, Blaucher Scheuchner

Prinzipal

Prior

Reberger

Regent

Regner

Reichensteiner

Rheinfelder

Rieslaner

Rinot

Rondo

Rosenmuskateller - Muskateller

Rosé Chardonnay - Chardonnay, Rosa Chardonnay, Chardonnay Rosé

Rotberger

Roter Gutedel - Chasselas Rouge, Fendant Rouge

Roter Muskateller - Muskateller, Muscat, Moscato

Roter Riesling

Roter Traminer - Clevner, Traminer

Roter Veltliner

Rubinet

Ruländer - Pinot Grigio, Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Pinot Gris

Saint Laurent - St. Laurent, Sankt Laurent

Sangiovese

Saphira

Satin Noir

Sauvignac

Sauvignon Blanc - Muskat Silvaner

Sauvignon Gris

Sauvignon Gryn

Sauvignon Sary

Sauvitage

Savagnin Blanc - Weißer Traminer

Scheurebe

Schwarzblauer Riesling

Schwarzer Heunisch

Schwarzer Urban

Schönburger

Semillon

Septimer

Siegerrebe

Silcher

Sirius

Solaris

Souvignier Gris

Staufer

Syrah

Süßschwarz

Tannat

Tempranillo

VB 32-7

VB 91-26-5

Verdicchio Bianco - Trebbiano di Soave

Viognier

We 70-281-37

We 94-26-37

We S 503

Weißer Burgunder - Pinot Bianco, Weißburgunder, Pinot Blanc

Weißer Gutedel - Chasselas Blanc, Fendant Blanc, Fendant

Weißer Riesling - Riesling Renano, Rheinriesling, Klingenberger, Riesling

Weißer Räuschling

Würzer

8.   Description of the link(s)

Applies to all products

The ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ wine-growing area lies at the northern edge of the Upper Rhine Plain, beside a bend in the Rhine, between the cities and towns of Mainz, Bingen, Alzey and Worms. The landscape is characterised by plateaus of resistant limestone cut through by broad depressions with gentle hills and lowlands. The highest plateau areas are between 250 and 300 metres above sea level, while the lowlands are 100 to 150 metres above sea level. Winegrowing is concentrated on the hillsides. On average, the vines grow at an altitude of 175 metres above sea level. Most of the vineyards face south-east to south-west.

The wine-growing area consists mainly of Tertiary and Quaternary sediments lying on a base of Rotliegend rocks. The Rotliegend rocks appear on the surface of the earth only in the extreme south-west of the area and near Nierstein (the Niersteiner Horst). Most of the area rests on Tertiary rocks that are predominantly overlaid with Quaternary sediments (loess derivatives, river terraces, watercourse sediments, slope sediments). The plateau areas consist of Tertiary limestone, while the slope, hill and lowland areas consist of softer Tertiary marls. The limestone of the plateau areas is usually overlaid with loess, the limes and marls of the slopes are often concealed by loess or slope sediments, and the marls of the lowland areas are covered by watercourse, terrace or redistributed sediments. Devonian quartzites and slate are found in the north-western part of the wine-growing area near Bingen. As regards soil formation, loess and loess derivatives constitute the main parent substrate.

The climate of the wine-growing area is as follows. The average annual temperature is about 9,9 °C. The average temperature during the growing season is 14,6 °C. The areas with the lower average annual temperatures are located in the south-west of the growing area, on the border with the Saar-Nahe Basin. The medium temperatures occur on the Tafel- und Hügelland (plateau and uplands), while the highest average annual temperatures are reached towards the Upper Rhine Plain. The area receives an average of approximately 500 mm of precipitation each year, 65 % (355 mm) of which generally falls during the growing season. On average, the vines in Rheinhessen receive approximately 650 000 Wh/m2 of direct sunshine during the growing season.

9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Legal framework:

Laid down by an organisation managing the PDO/PGI, where provided for by Member States.

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

100 % of the grapes used to produce ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ must come from the municipalities or cadastral units listed under point 4 of the product specification and from the grape varieties authorised under point 8 of the product specification.

The residual sugar content of a wine marketed as ‘Rheinischer Landwein’ PGI may not exceed the maximum permissible value for the ‘semi-dry’ indication.

Link to the product specification

http://www.ble.de/eu-qualitaetskennzeichen-wein

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(1)   OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.