Following 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 with the Commission within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of agricultural products

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’

EU No: PDO-SK-03400 – 13.1.2025

1.   Names

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO ☒ PGI ☐

3.   Country to which the defined geographical area belongs

Slovakia

4.   Description of the agricultural product

4.1.   Classification of the agricultural product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143

22 – BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR

2201 – Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow

2202 – Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages, not including fruit, nut or vegetable juices of heading 2009

2202 10 – Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured

4.2.   Description of the agricultural product to which the registered name applies

‘Baldovská’ or ‘Baldovská minerálna voda’ is natural or flavoured mineral water with a high mineral content. It is a sparkling hydrogen-carbonate, calcium and magnesium water containing increased levels of iron, hydrogen carbonates, magnesium and calcium. It is slightly acidic and cold, with the following composition:

Cations	mg/l
Ca2+	362
Na+	62,5
Mg2+	74,9
NH4 +	0,67
Anions	mg/l
HCO3 –	1 366
SO4 2–	176
NO3 –	< 1
NO2 –	< 0,01

The above values can vary (up to 15 % either way) depending on soil and climate conditions.

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ is marketed as a sparkling or semi-sparkling natural mineral water or as a non-alcoholic beverage made from mineral water in the following flavours: orange, grapefruit, lemon, and sour cherry and lemon, or flavoured with exotic fruit such as pitahaya, kiwano and lime, and pomelo.

The mineral water is flavoured with sugar syrup made from drinking water, sugar, citric acid and one of the above flavourings. The salt content is due to the naturally occurring sodium.

Because colouring agents are not used to flavour the mineral water, both the natural mineral water and the non-alcoholic beverages made from mineral water in the above flavours are clear in colour. The beverages contain 5,5–6,7 g of sugar per 100 ml, which equates to 55–67 g of sugar per litre. The flavours used are characteristic of each variety of beverage and give each one its aroma and taste.

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ contains naturally occurring carbon dioxide originating from geological processes underground. The CO2 dissolves in the water while it is still below ground, so the water is already slightly sparkling when it emerges. The water may be enriched with additional carbon dioxide to make it more effervescent, give it a longer shelf-life and enhance its taste. Artificial aeration is mainly used for the flavoured variants, to which CO2 is added at a controlled rate of 3,5 g/l.

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – orange

Sugar content: 6,7 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – grapefruit

Sugar content: 6,7 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – lemon

Sugar content: 6,7 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – sour cherry and lemon

Sugar content: 5,5 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – exotic fruits – pitahaya

Sugar content: 6,7 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – exotic fruits – kiwano and lime

Sugar content: 6,5 g/100 ml

Non-alcoholic beverage made from flavoured mineral water – exotic fruits – pomelo

Sugar content: 6,7 g/100 ml

4.3.   Derogations on sourcing of feed (for products of animal origin designated by a protected designation of origin only) and restrictions on sourcing of raw materials (for processed products designated by a protected geographical indication only)

Mineral-water springs emerge in the geographical area concerned.

4.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ is pumped continuously into the production site through distribution pipes. The natural mineral water undergoes an approved treatment process to remove the iron by means of authorised oxidation technology with ozone-enriched air, and is then filtered. After filtration, the flavoured mineral water is flavoured with one of the sugar syrups referred to in point 4.2. The natural or flavoured mineral water is then further treated to reintroduce the natural carbon dioxide and is then bottled.

4.5.   Specific rules concerning packaging, slicing, grating, etc. of the agricultural product the registered name refers to

The mineral water is bottled in hygienically pristine sales packaging by means of a technological process that excludes any contamination by foreign elements or substances, forming a closed loop between the water supply point and the point at which it is bottled for sale.

4.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

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5.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The area of natural mineral sources is located in the district of Levoča in the cadastral territories of Baldovce, Bijacovce, Buglovce, Jablonov, Klčov, Lúčka, Nemešany, Oľšavica, Ordzovany, Pavľany, Spišské Podhradie and Studenec, and in the district of Spišská Nová Ves in the cadastral territory of the municipality of Žehra. In administrative terms it is part of the Prešov region.

6.   Link with the geographical area

The causal link is based on the soil and climate conditions in the defined geographical area.

Specificity of the geographical area

The subsoil around Baldovce is formed from substantial layers of limestone and dolomite. These rocks are rich in calcium and magnesium, which are naturally released into the groundwater. The earth’s crust in the Baldovce area contains rifts that allow groundwater to infiltrate deep underground and become rich in minerals and carbon dioxide, which gives the water its natural effervescence and characteristic composition.

Baldovce has a temperate, continental climate. The summer is warm but not extremely hot, with average temperatures of around 20 to 25 °C, while the winters are cold, with average temperatures of around –3 to –5 °C. The air is particularly humid during the spring and autumn months, which promotes vegetation and has a positive impact on the underground springs.

Precipitation ranging from 700 to 900 mm per year plays an important role in the development of ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’. This water seeps into the soil, through which it gradually filters and penetrates deeper into the geological strata. During this journey, minerals dissolve in the water – thereby increasing its mineral content. Temperature and humidity affect the rate at which water seeps into the subsoil. Colder areas such as Baldovce experience a slower evaporation rate, which means that more precipitation infiltrates into the ground and enriches the groundwater. During warmer periods, chemical processes become more active – thereby causing the minerals to dissolve more quickly. The area’s temperate climate means that its groundwater reserves are constantly being replenished – thereby ensuring that the mineral water’s chemical composition is stable.

Neighbouring sedimentary areas have a different geological composition (sandstones, clays), which has an indirect impact on the hydrological system (drainage, rainwater systems) and does not create the right conditions for such highly mineralised springs to form.

Protection zones (boreholes BV-1 (Baldovce II) and B-4A (Polux)) have been established throughout ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ natural mineral water’s geographical area, the purpose of which is to protect this area of mineral-water springs from any damage caused by economic, agricultural or other activities that may affect the water’s current condition, yield, exceptional chemical composition and pristine nature in order to preserve its qualitative and quantitative values and ensure that it continues to be used judiciously. ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ is obtained from natural sources that are very stable in terms of their composition.

The specific characteristics of ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ are attributable to the environment, in which the water seeps down into the ground.

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ is a moderately mineralised water, with a dissolved mineral content of around 2 000 mg/l. The mineral water owes its specific nature to its balanced mineral composition, natural carbonation and significant hydrogen carbonate content. It is rich in magnesium and calcium, but has a relatively low sodium content by comparison with other mineral waters. The water’s acidity helps to neutralise the hydrogen carbonates. It contains natural carbon dioxide.

Owing to its mineral composition, ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ has a delicate, neutral taste that distinguishes it from mineral waters with a higher sulphate or sodium content, which may have a salty or heavier taste.

Colouring agents are not used to flavour the mineral water. By comparison with other sweetened beverages, the flavoured mineral waters do not contain large amounts of sugar, sweeteners or other artificial ingredients. They offer a new way of enjoying mineral water with added flavour while at the same time preserving the mineral benefits of spring water.

During bottling, the mineral water may be enriched with additional carbon dioxide to make it more effervescent, give it a longer shelf-life and enhance its taste. Artificial aeration is mainly used for the flavoured variants, to which CO2 is added at a controlled rate of 3,5 g/l.

Causal link

The geological conditions in the Baldovce area provide the mineral water with its base minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which come from the limestone and dolomite rock. The climate conditions affect the inflow and filtration of precipitation, which is the main source of groundwater. The mild, humid climate guarantees sufficient precipitation and ensures that it infiltrates into the ground slowly, thereby enabling the water to absorb minerals. Carbon dioxide helps the minerals to dissolve, thus increasing the water’s overall mineral content.

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ owes its characteristics to the specific soil and climate factors in the defined geographical area.

Baldovce was previously a renowned spa area. As early as 1780, Karl Gottlieb von Windisch’s geographical work stated that ‘in addition to its spas, Baldovce is also famous for its excellent sparkling water’. This is referred to in the 1996 publication Vzácne a obdivované vody Slovenska [‘Rare and admired waters of Slovakia’] by Augustín Rebro, which goes on to say that ‘the spa therapies there included water-drinking treatments’.

As early as the start of the 19th century, mineral water from the carbonated spring was being bottled and exported from Baldovce to as far away as Vienna. The spa activities ended after the Second World War, and use of these carbonated sources was directed towards the commercialisation of mineral water. Although people had long been drinking ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’, the first bottling plant was not built until the 1940s.

The mineral water has also been protected under bilateral agreements: the Treaty of 19 January 1976 between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Swiss Confederation on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other geographical indications, the Treaty of 20 January 1981 between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Republic of Austria on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other designations of agricultural and industrial products referring to origin, and the Agreement of 18 May 1987 between the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Government of the Portuguese Republic on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other geographical and similar designations.

Since 22 December 1979, ‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ has been protected as a designation of origin at national level under Act No 159/1973 on the protection of designations of origin.

Bottling of the mineral water has continued over the years right up to the present day, as demonstrated by references in the press, labels from various eras, presentations at various events and exhibitions and the prizes it has been awarded. In 1983, for example (according to the archives of Vychodoslovenské Žriedla [East Slovakia Springs], a national enterprise based in Prešov with a local plant in Baldovce), 30 971 000 bottles of mineral water were dispatched. The following year the plant broke its own record, this time producing 32 010 000 bottles.

‘Baldovská / Baldovská minerálna voda’ was awarded gold in the category of aerated mineral waters at the VINUM LAUGARICIO International Wine, Water and Distillates Exhibition held in Trenčín on 1 and 2 December 2017.

‘Baldovská’ was given the ‘Slovak Superbrands Award’ by Slovak consumers and the Slovak Superbrand scheme’s ‘Brand Council’ committee of experts for the first time in 2014, and has been awarded it every year since 2017. ‘Baldovská’ is therefore part of a group of elite brands that are models for successfully developing and continuously improving a brand’s value. The Superbrands Award is confirmation of a product’s quality and provides inspiration to consumers in their day-to-day decisions.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.indprop.gov.sk/swift_data/source/pdf/specifikacie_op_oz/Baldovska_baldovska_mineralna_voda.pdf

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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).