This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 98 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within 3 months from the date of this publication.

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A UNION AMENDMENT

‘Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese’

PDO-IT-A1187-AM03

Date of application: 15 November 2022

1.   Applicant and legitimate interest

Consorzio Colline del Monferrato Casalese

Protection association for Monferrato Casalese wines

2.   Description of and reasons for the amendment

1.   Inclusion of the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

According to historical documents found, the production of sparkling wine from Grignolino grapes dates back to the late 19th century. The organoleptic characteristics of Grignolino grapes are highly suited to making sparkling wine. The result is a very fine and elegant product, suitable for various types of convivial occasion (from aperitifs to meals). Batches of sparkling wine produced until now have not been marketed with a designation of origin as they were not included in the product specification. The purpose of this amendment is to allow sparkling wine to bear a designation of origin and to bring the entire designation into line with current market demands.

This amendment concerns Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the product specification and the following sections of the single document: ‘Categories of grapevine products’, ‘Description of the wine(s)’, ‘Wine-making practices’, ‘Link with the geographical area’, ‘Further conditions’, ‘Supporting documents’, ‘Link to the specification’ and ‘Link to the national approval decision’.

2.   Introduction of rules for winegrowing in the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

Specifications have been added for the newly introduced category of wine.

For Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante Rosato:

Grape yield (tonnes/hectare): 8;

Minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume: 9,50 %.

This amendment concerns Article 4 of the product specification and the ‘Description of the wine(s)’ and ‘Wine-making practices’ sections of the single document.

3.   Introduction of specific rules for winemaking in the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

For Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante Rosato:

Grape/wine yield: 70 %;

Maximum wine production (litres/hectare): 5 600.

The sparkling type must be produced exclusively by natural secondary fermentation in the bottle and must remain on the lees for at least 18 months.

This amendment concerns Article 5 of the product specification and the ‘Specific oenological practices’ heading in the ‘Wine-making practices’ section of the single document.

4.   Introduction of descriptors for the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

When released for consumption, ‘Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante Rosato wine must have the following characteristics:

Foam: fine and long-lasting;

Colour: pink of varying intensity;

Aroma: fragrant, complex, typical of secondary fermentation in the bottle;

Taste: flavourful, fine and harmonious, from zero dosage to brut;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %;

Minimum total acidity: 5,5 g/l;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.

This amendment concerns Article 6 of the product specification and the ‘Description of the wine(s)’ section of the single document.

5.   Introduction of labelling and presentation specifications for the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

In the labelling and presenting of wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Grignolino Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante Rosato, only the following wordings may be used under the conditions laid down by the legislation in force: ‘ fermentazione in bottiglia secondo il metodo tradizionale ’[fermentation in the bottle according to the traditional method], ‘ metodo tradizionale ’ [traditional method], ‘ metodo classico ’ [classic method] or ‘ metodo classico tradizionale ’ [traditional classic method]. It is therefore prohibited for wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Grignolino Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante Rosato to have only the wording ‘ fermentazione in bottiglia ’ [fermentation in the bottle] on their labels.

In the labelling and presenting of wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Grignolino Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante Rosato, the terms ‘ rosa ’ [pink] or ‘rosé’ may additionally be used.

The year of harvesting the grapes must be indicated, with the exception of wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Grignolino Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante Rosato not labelled as Millesimato [vintage].

The duration of the production process, including resting on the lees, has been set at not less than 18 months.

The types of closures to be used have been defined, with caps consisting mainly of plastic/synthetic material being excluded.

This amendment concerns Article 7 of the product specification.

6.   Amendment to the link following the introduction of the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category (Category 5)

The description of the link with the environment has been expanded to reflect the new category of wine.

This amendment concerns Article 8 of the product specification and the ‘Link with the geographical area’ section of the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Geographical indication

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine product

1.

Wine

5.	Quality sparkling wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese wine is a red wine obtained from the vinification of Grignolino grapes. This variety is native to the Monferrato Casalese area, where it has found the ideal habitat for the best expression of its characteristics.

The colour of the wine is ruby red of varying intensity, tending to orange. It has a delicate aroma and dry, slightly tannic and pleasantly bitter taste, with a distinctive aftertaste.

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %.

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,00 g/l.

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)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity	4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

2.   Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Riserva

The colour of the wine is a ruby red-garnet, tending to orange. Its distinctive and delicate aroma contains spicy notes. On the palate it has a dry, slightly tannic and pleasantly bitter taste, with a distinctive aftertaste.

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,50 %.

Minimum sugar-free extract: 22,00 g/l.

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)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity	4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid
Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)
Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

3.   Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante di qualità Rosato

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante di qualità Rosato wine has a pink colour of varying intensity, with hints ranging from orange to yellowish.

The fragrant complex aroma has notes of yeast and bread crust typical of secondary fermentation in the bottle according to the traditional method, and citrus notes of orange and grapefruit. The foam is fine and long-lasting.

On the palate it is elegant, full and slightly tannic, with fresh acidity and a dry, clean finish.

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %.

Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.

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)
Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)
Minimum total acidity	5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid
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.   Making sparkling wine using the traditional method

Specific oenological practice

When producing wines with the protected designation of origin ‘Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese’ Spumante di qualità Rosato, secondary fermentation in the bottle according to the traditional method must be carried out for a minimum period of 18 months.

5.2.   Maximum yields

1.	Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese 8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

2.	Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Riserva 8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

3.	Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante di qualità Rosato 8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The production area for grapes that may be used to produce wines under the ‘Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese’ PDO comprises the following municipalities of the province of Alessandria:

Alfiano Natta, Altavilla Monferrato, Camagna Monferrato, Camino, Casale Monferrato (excluding the part on the left bank of the Po), Castelletto Merli, Cella Monte, Cereseto, Cerrina Monferrato, Coniolo (excluding the part on the left bank of the Po), Conzano, Frassinello Monferrato, Gabiano, Lu e Cuccaro Monferrato, Mombello Monferrato, Moncestino, Murisengo, Odalengo Grande, Odalengo Piccolo, Olivola, Ottiglio, Ozzano Monferrato, Pontestura, Ponzano Monferrato, Rosignano Monferrato, Sala Monferrato, San Giorgio Monferrato, Serralunga di Crea, Solonghello, Terruggia, Treville, Vignale Monferrato, Villadeati and Villamiroglio.

In addition, wine-making, processing and ageing operations may be carried out, as well as in the grape production area, also anywhere within the province of Alessandria as well as in the municipalities of Viarigi, Montemagno, Casorzo, Grazzano Badoglio, Moncalvo, Penango, Calliano, Tonco, Montiglio Monferrato and Robella d’Asti in the province of Asti.

7.   Wine grape varieties

Barbera N.

Freisa N.

Grignolino N.

8.   Description of the link(s)

8.1.   PDO Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese

Monferrato Casalese, or Basso Monferrato [low Monferrato], is an area of hills of between 120 and 350 metres above sea level in which the wine of this designation of origin is produced. The Alps and the sea (approximately 130 and 90 km away respectively) influence the climate of Monferrato and make it ideal for growing vines. The Monferrato soils and the underlying rock from which they originate are derived from marine sediment of varying depth. In addition to Grignolino, the variety mix may also include Freisa and/or Barbera grapes (up to 5 %).

The characteristics of the soil, and thus of the wine of this designation, are linked to this alkaline limestone matrix, which is rather poor in nutrients. The wine is rich in fruity notes, which are obtained from this particular ‘terroir’.

8.2.   PDO Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Riserva

Monferrato Casalese, or Basso Monferrato [low Monferrato], is an area of hills of between 120 and 350 metres above sea level in which the wine of this designation of origin is produced. The Alps and the sea (approximately 130 and 90 km away respectively) influence the climate of Monferrato and make it ideal for growing vines. In addition to Grignolino, the variety mix may also include Freisa and/or Barbera grapes (up to 5 %). Grignolino can be defined as the native variety of Monferrato par excellence. Documents dating back to 1248 bear witness to the presence and significance of this variety in the area. Over the centuries, winegrowers in Monferrato have always chosen the best locations and most suitable soils to grow Grignolino vines.

The characteristics of the soil and thus of the wine of this designation are linked to the rather nutrient-poor alkaline limestone matrix of the land in Monferrato. In the Riserva wines, the fruity notes characteristic of the particular terroir are enhanced by ageing.

Until the 70s, the wines under this designation of origin consisted of Grignolino that had been aged around 4 years and was intended for a loyal customer base of sophisticated consumers. It was only later that younger and fresher wines began to be produced, in order to adapt to market requirements. With the addition of the Riserva type, the link with the production tradition has now been restored, as has the possibility of enhancing the organoleptic characteristics, which can only be done through ageing.

8.3.   PDO Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante di qualità Rosato

Monferrato Casalese, or Basso Monferrato [low Monferrato], is an area of hills of between 120 and 350 metres above sea level in which the wine of this designation of origin is produced. The Monferrato soils and the underlying rock from which they originate are derived from marine sediment of varying depth.

The characteristics of the soil, and thus of the wine of this designation, are linked to this alkaline limestone matrix, which is rather poor in nutrients. The wine is rich in fruity notes, which are obtained from this particular ‘terroir’. The organoleptic characteristics of Grignolino grapes are particularly suited to making quality sparkling wine.

The inclusion of the ‘Quality sparkling wine’ category, with the requirement to produce the quality sparkling type exclusively using the traditional method, ensures the distribution of a high-quality product. It is a very fine and elegant product, suitable for various types of convivial occasion (from aperitifs to meals).

The production of quality sparkling wine started a long time ago but, until the beginning of this century, was not very widespread. Holdings expanded and updated their technology to make their facilities suitable for the production of quality sparkling wine, obtaining levels of quality and good quantities ideal for marketing.

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

Derogation on production in the demarcated geographical area

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation on production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

In accordance with Article 5 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, wine-making, processing and ageing operations for the wines below may be carried out, as well as in the grape production area, also anywhere within the province of Alessandria as well as in the municipalities of Viarigi, Montemagno, Casorzo, Grazzano Badoglio, Moncalvo, Penango, Calliano, Tonco, Montiglio Monferrato and Robella d’Asti in the province of Asti:

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese (Category: Wine)

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Riserva (Category: Wine)

Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Spumante di qualità Rosato (Category: Quality sparkling wine)

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/18839

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(1)   OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/oj