(3)

The measures applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition. They should safeguard the reputation which the Union’s spirit drinks have achieved in the Union and on the world market by continuing to take into account the traditional practices used in the production of spirit drinks as well as increased demand for consumer protection and information. Technological innovation should also be taken into account in respect of spirit drinks, where such innovation serves to improve quality, without affecting the traditional character of the spirit drinks concerned. The production of spirit drinks is strongly linked to the agricultural sector. Besides representing a major outlet for the agriculture of the Union, this link is determinant for the quality and reputation of the spirit drinks produced in the Union. This strong link to the agricultural sector should therefore be emphasised by the regulatory framework.

(3)

The measures applicable to spirit drinks should contribute to attaining a high level of consumer protection, removing information asymmetry, preventing deceptive practices and attaining market transparency and fair competition. They should safeguard the reputation which the Union’s spirit drinks have achieved in the Union and on the world market by continuing to take into account the traditional practices used in the production of spirit drinks as well as increased demand for consumer protection and information. Technological innovation should also be taken into account in respect of spirit drinks, where such innovation serves to improve quality, without affecting the traditional character of the spirit drinks concerned. The production of spirit drinks is governed by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council  (1a) , Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European and the Council  (1b) and Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and the Council  (1c) , and is strongly linked to the agricultural sector. Besides representing a major outlet for the agriculture of the Union, this link is determinant for the quality , safety and reputation of the spirit drinks produced in the Union. This strong link to the agri-food sector should therefore be emphasised by the regulatory framework.

(3a)

The measures applicable to spirit drinks constitute a special case compared with the general rules laid down for the agri-food sector. The special features in this instance relate to the fact that traditional production methods continue to be kept alive, that spirit drinks are closely linked with the agricultural sector, the use of high-quality products, and the commitment to protecting consumer safety, which the spirit drinks sector is promising never to abandon.

(4)

To ensure a more uniform approach in the legislation on spirit drinks, this Regulation should set out clear criteria for the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks as well as for the protection of geographical indications. It should also set out rules on the use of ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and on the use of the sales denominations of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of foodstuffs.

(4)

To ensure a more uniform approach in the legislation on spirit drinks, this Regulation should set out clear criteria for the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks as well as for the protection of geographical indications , without prejudice to the diversity of the official languages and alphabets in the Union . It should also set out rules on the use of ethyl alcohol or distillates of agricultural origin in the production of alcoholic beverages and on the use of the sales denominations of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of foodstuffs.

(15)

In some cases, food business operators may be required or may want to indicate the origin of spirit drinks to draw consumers’ attention to the qualities of their product. Such origin indications should comply with harmonised criteria. Therefore, specific provisions on the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance in the presentation and labelling of spirit drinks should be laid down.

(15)

In some cases, food business operators may be required or may want to indicate the origin of spirit drinks to draw consumers’ attention to the qualities of their product. Therefore, specific provisions on the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance in the presentation and labelling of spirit drinks should be laid down.

(17)

Concerning the protection of geographical indications, it is important to have due regard to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (‘TRIPS Agreement’), and in particular Articles 22 and 23 thereof, and to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (‘GATT Agreement’) which were approved by Council Decision 94/800/EC (12).

(17)

Concerning the protection of geographical indications, it is important to have due regard to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (‘TRIPS Agreement’), and in particular Articles 22 and 23 thereof, and to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (‘GATT Agreement’) which were approved by Council Decision 94/800/EC (12). In order to enhance protection and to combat counterfeiting more effectively, such protection should also apply with regards to goods which are in transit through the Union Customs territory.

(18)

Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13) does not apply to spirit drinks. Rules on protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks should therefore be laid down. Geographical indications identifying spirit drinks as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the spirit drink are essentially attributable to its geographical origin should be registered by the Commission.

(18)

Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13) does not apply to spirit drinks. Rules on protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks should therefore be laid down. Geographical indications identifying spirit drinks as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation , traditional method of processing and production, or other characteristic of the spirit drink  is essentially attributable to its geographical origin, should be registered by the Commission.

(18a)

It is appropriate that spirit drinks with a geographical indication that are based on wines without indication of origin protection, and are registered in accordance with this Regulation, should benefit from the same management tools concerning production potential as those that are available under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (1a) .

(19)

Procedures for the registration, modification and possible cancellation of Union or third country geographical indications in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement should be laid down whilst automatically recognising the status of existing protected geographical indications of the Union. In view of making procedural rules on geographical indications consistent through all the sectors concerned, such procedures for spirit drinks should be modelled on the more exhaustive and well tested procedures for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 while taking into account specificities of spirit drinks. In order to simplify the registration procedures and to ensure that information for food business operators and consumers is electronically available an electronic register of geographical indications should be established .

(19)

Procedures for the registration, modification and possible cancellation of Union or third country geographical indications in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement should be laid down whilst automatically recognising the status of existing registered geographical indications of the Union. In view of making procedural rules on geographical indications consistent through all the sectors concerned, such procedures for spirit drinks should be modelled on similar procedures used for agricultural products and foodstuffs laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 while taking into account specificities of spirit drinks. In order to simplify the registration procedures and to ensure that information for food business operators and consumers is electronically available a  transparent, comprehensive and easily accessible electronic register of geographical indications with the same legal value as Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should be established. Geographical indications registered under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 should automatically be registered by the Commission. The Commission should complete the verification of geographical indications contained in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, in accordance with Article 20 of that Regulation, before the entry into force of this Regulation .

(20)

Member State authorities should be responsible for ensuring compliance with this Regulation , and the Commission should be able to monitor and verify such compliance. Therefore the Commission and the Member States should be required to share relevant information with each other.

(20)

Preserving a high standard of quality is essential if the spirit drinks sector's reputation and value are to be maintained. Member State authorities should be responsible for ensuring that the standard is preserved through compliance with this Regulation . The Commission should , however, be able to monitor and verify such compliance in order to ascertain that it is being uniformly enforced. Therefore the Commission and the Member States should be required to share relevant information with each other.

(21)

In applying a quality policy and in order to allow for a high level of quality of spirit drinks and diversity in the spirit drinks sector, Member States should be allowed to adopt rules on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks produced in their territory that are stricter than those laid down in this Regulation.

(21)

In applying a quality policy and in order to allow for a high level of quality of spirit drinks and diversity in the spirit drinks sector, Member States should be allowed to adopt rules on the production, definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks produced in their territory that are stricter than those laid down in this Regulation.

(22)

In order to take into account evolving consumer demands, technological progress, developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic conditions of production and marketing, the traditional ageing processes and, in exceptional cases, the law of the importing third countries, and in order to ensure the protection of geographical indications, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of or derogations from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of spirit drinks and the specific rules concerning some of them referred to under Chapter I of this Regulation, the labelling and presentation referred to under Chapter II of this Regulation, the geographical indications referred to under Chapter III of this Regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under Chapter IV of this Regulation.

(22)

In order to take into account evolving consumer demands, technological progress, developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic conditions of production and marketing, the traditional ageing processes and, in exceptional cases, the law of the importing third countries, and in order to ensure the full protection of geographical indications, while taking into account the importance of traditional practices, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of or derogations from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of spirit drinks and the specific rules concerning some of them referred to under Chapter I of this Regulation, the labelling and presentation referred to under Chapter II of this Regulation the geographical indications referred to under Chapter III of this Regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under Chapter IV of this Regulation.

(23)

In order to react rapidly to economic and technological developments regarding spirit drinks covered by this Regulation for which no category and technical specifications exist so as to protect consumers and the economic interests of producers and unify the given production and quality requirements for those spirit drinks, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission as regard the addition, subject to certain conditions, of new categories of spirit drinks to those listed respectively in Part I and II of Annex II to this Regulation and the technical specifications thereof.

(i)

either directly by using any of the following methods:

(i)

either directly by using any of the following methods , individually or in combination :

—

the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a  mixture thereof within the meaning of this Regulation,

—

the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a  combination thereof within the meaning of this Regulation,

—

the addition to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks of any of the following:

—

the addition to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks of one or more of the following:

(ii)

by adding to a spirit drink any of the following:

(ii)

by adding to a spirit drink any of the following , individually or in combination :

—

drinks;

(3)

‘mixture’ means a spirit drink listed in Part I of Annex II or corresponding to a geographical indication mixed with any of the following:

(3)

‘mixture’ means a spirit drink listed in Part I of Annex II or corresponding to a geographical indication mixed with one or more of the following:

(ba)

ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin;

(4)

‘compound term’ means the combination of the terms of a sales denomination of a spirit drink provided for in Part I of Annex II or the terms of a geographical indication, describing a spirit drink, from which all the alcohol of the final product originates, with any of the following:

(4)

‘compound term’ means the combination of the terms of a sales denomination of a spirit drink provided for in Part I of Annex II or the terms of a geographical indication, describing a spirit drink, from which all the alcohol of the final product originates, with one or more of the following:

(6)

‘geographical indication’ means an indication which identifies a spirit drink as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of that spirit drink is essentially attributable to its geographical origin;

(6)

‘geographical indication’ means a name that has been registered in accordance with this Regulation, which identifies a spirit drink as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of that spirit drink is essentially attributable to its geographical origin;

(7)

‘product specification’ means a file attached to the application for the protection of a geographical indication setting out the specifications which the spirit drink must comply with;

(7)

‘product specification’ means a file attached to the application for the protection of a geographical indication setting out the specifications which the spirit drink must comply with and corresponding to the ‘technical file’ referred to in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 ;

(11a)

(11b)

(e)

solely be sweetened in accordance with point (3) of Annex I and in order to round off the final taste of the product.

(e)

not be sweetened except to round off the final taste of the product. The maximum content of sweetening products expressed as invert sugar shall not exceed the thresholds set out for each category in Annex II.

(e)

be sweetened to correspond to particular product characteristics and in accordance with point (3) of Annex I and taking into account the relevant legislation of the Member States .

(e)

be sweetened.

(e)

be sweetened to correspond to particular product characteristics and in accordance with point (3) of Annex I .

(e)

be sweetened.

(a)

the amendment of the technical definitions provided for in Annex I;

(a)

the amendment of the technical definitions provided for in Annex I.

(b)

the amendment of the requirements of the categories of spirit drinks provided for in Part I of Annex II and the specific rules concerning certain spirit drinks listed in Part II of Annex II.

(a)

the marketing of a spirit drink under a particular name and in accordance with uniform technical specifications is economically and technically necessary to protect the interests of consumers and producers;

(b)

a spirit drink has a significant market share in at least one Member State;

(c)

the name chosen for the new category shall either be a widely used name or where this is not possible be of a descriptive nature, in particular, by referring to the raw material used for the production of the spirit drink;

(d)

the technical specifications for the new category shall be laid down and based on an evaluation of existing quality and production parameters used on the Union market. When laying down the technical specifications, the applicable Union consumer protection legislation shall be respected and account shall be taken of any relevant international standards. They shall ensure fair competition amongst union producers as well as the high reputation of Union spirit drinks.

(a)

by terms already in use on 20 February 2008 for existing geographical indications within the meaning of Article 34(1); or

(a)

by terms already in use on 20 February 2008 for existing geographical indications within the meaning of Article 34(1) , including the terms traditionally used in Member States to indicate that a product has a protected designation of origin under national law ; or

(b)

by terms indicated in the relevant product specification.

(b)

by any terms permitted by the relevant product specification.

(a)

the alcohol used in the production of the foodstuffs originates exclusively from the spirit drinks referred to in the compound term or in the allusion(s), except for ethyl alcohol that may be present in flavourings used for the production of that foodstuff; and

(a)

the alcohol used in the production of the foodstuffs originates exclusively from the spirit drinks referred to in the compound term or in the allusion(s), except for ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin that may be used as a carrier for flavourings used for the production of that foodstuff; and

(a)

amendments to the rules on indications on the label of spirits drinks concerning compound terms or allusions;

(a)

amendments to the rules on indications on the label of spirits drinks concerning compound terms or allusions;

(b)

amendments to the rules on the presentation and labelling of mixtures; and

(b)

amendments to the rules on the presentation and labelling of mixtures; and

(c)

updating and completing Union reference methods for the analysis of spirit drinks.

(c)

updating and completing Union reference methods for the analysis of spirit drinks.

(i)

by comparable products not complying with the product specification of the protected name; or

(i)

by comparable products not complying with the product specification of the protected name , including when those products are used as an ingredient ; or

(b)

any misuse, imitation or evocation, even if the true origin of the product or service is indicated or if the protected name is translated or accompanied by an expression such as ‘style’, ‘type’, ‘method’, ‘as produced in’, ‘imitation’, ‘flavour’, ‘like’ or similar;

(b)

any misuse, imitation or evocation, even if the true origin of the product or service is indicated or if the protected name is translated or accompanied by an expression such as ‘style’, ‘type ’, ‘sort ’, ‘method’, ‘as produced in’, ‘imitation’, ‘flavour’, ‘like’ or similar , including when those products are used as an ingredient ;

(c)

any other false or misleading indication as to the provenance, origin, nature or essential qualities of the product, on the inner or outer packaging, advertising material or documents relating to the product concerned, and the packing of the product in a container liable to convey a false impression as to its origin;

(c)

any other false or misleading indication as to the provenance, origin, nature , ingredients, or essential qualities of the product, on the presentation or labelling of the product liable to convey a false impression as to its origin;

(e)

a description of the method of obtaining the spirit drink and, where appropriate, the authentic and unvarying local methods as well as information on packaging, if the applicant group so determines and gives sufficient product-specific justification as to why the packaging must take place in the defined geographical area to safeguard quality, to ensure the origin or to ensure control, taking into account Union law, in particular that on the free movement of goods and the free provision of services;

(e)

a description of the method of producing the spirit drink and, where appropriate, the authentic and unvarying local methods as well as information on packaging, if the applicant or applicant group (hereinafter referred to together as ‘applicant’) so determines and gives sufficient product-specific justification as to why the packaging must take place in the defined geographical area to safeguard quality, to ensure the origin or to ensure control, taking into account Union law, in particular that on the free movement of goods and the free provision of services;

(f)

details establishing the link between a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the spirit drink and the geographical area referred to in point (d) ;

(f)

the details bearing out the link with the geographical environment or the geographical origin ;

(a)

the names and addresses of the applicant group and of the authorities or, if available, the bodies verifying compliance with the provisions of the product specification;

(a)

the names and addresses of the applicant and of the authorities or, if available, the bodies verifying compliance with the provisions of the product specification;

(i)

the main points of the product specification: the name, a description of the spirit drink, including, where appropriate, specific rules concerning packaging and labelling, and a concise definition of the geographical area;

(i)

the main points of the product specification: the name, category, a description of the spirit drink, including, where appropriate, specific rules concerning packaging and labelling, and a concise definition of the geographical area;

(a)

the name and address of the applicant group ;

(a)

the name and address of the applicant;

(c)

a declaration by the Member State that it considers that the application lodged by the applicant group and qualifying for the favourable decision meets the conditions of this Regulation and the provisions adopted pursuant thereto;

(c)

a declaration by the Member State that it considers that the application lodged by the applicant and qualifying for the favourable decision meets the conditions of this Regulation and the provisions adopted pursuant thereto;

(a)

if an agreement has been reached, register the name by means of implementing acts adopted without applying the procedure referred to in Article 44(2), and, if necessary, amend the information published pursuant to Article 23(2) provided such amendments are not substantial; or

(a)

if an agreement has been reached, adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation, in accordance with Article 43, to register the name and, if necessary, amend the information published pursuant to Article 23(2) provided such amendments are not substantial; or

(b)

if an agreement has not been reached, adopt implementing acts deciding on the registration. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 44(2) .

(b)

if an agreement has not been reached, adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation, in accordance with Article 43, deciding on the registration .

(b)

where no product is placed on the market under the geographical indication for at least seven years.

(b)

where no product is placed on the market under the geographical indication for at least seven consecutive years.

(b)

control body within the meaning of point 5 of the second subparagraph of Article 2 of Regulation ( EC ) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19), operating as a product certification body.

(b)

delegated body within the meaning of point 5 of Article 3 of Regulation ( EU ) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19), operating as a product certification body.

(a)

the additional criteria for the demarcation of the geographical area; and

(b)

the restrictions and derogations related to the production in the demarcated geographical area.

(a)

in which cases a single producer may apply for the protection of a geographical indication;

(a)

in which cases a single producer may apply for the protection of a geographical indication;

(b)

the conditions to be followed in respect of an application for the protection of a geographical indication, preliminary national procedures, scrutiny by the Commission, the opposition procedure and the cancellation of geographical indications, including in cases where the geographical area covers more than one country.

(b)

the conditions to be followed in respect of an application for the protection of a geographical indication, preliminary national procedures, scrutiny by the Commission, the opposition procedure and the cancellation of geographical indications, including in cases where the geographical area covers more than one country.

(1a)

(1b)

(2a)

(ea)

stevia;

(f)

any other natural carbohydrate substances having a similar effect to the products referred to in points (a) to (e).

(f)

any other natural substances or agricultural raw materials having a similar effect to the products referred to in points (a) to (e).

(4)

‘Addition of alcohol’ means the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or distillates of agricultural origin or both to a spirit drink.

(4)

‘Addition of alcohol’ means the addition of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or distillates of agricultural origin or both to a spirit drink. The use of alcohol of agricultural origin for dilution or dissolution of colours, flavouring or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of spirit drinks shall not be considered as addition of alcohol.

(8a)

(14)

‘Colouring’ means using in the preparation of a spirit drink one or more colours, as defined in point 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

(14)

‘Colouring’ means using in the production of a spirit drink one or more colours, as defined in point 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

(16a)

(16b)

(ii)

a spirit drink produced exclusively by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of sugar-cane juice which has the aromatic characteristics specific to rum and a volatile substances content equal to or exceeding 225 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol. This spirit drink may be placed on the market with the word ‘agricultural’ qualifying the sales denomination ‘rum’ accompanied by any registered geographical indications of the French Overseas Departments and the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

(ii)

a spirit drink produced exclusively by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of sugar-cane juice which has the aromatic characteristics specific to rum and a volatile substances content equal to or exceeding 225 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol. This spirit may be placed on the market with the word ‘agricultural’ qualifying the legal name ‘rum’ only when it is accompanied by one of the registered geographical indications of the French Overseas Departments and the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

(fa)

Rum may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

2.

2.

Whisky or Whiskey

(c)

No addition of alcohol as defined in point (54) of Annex I, diluted or not, shall take place.

(c)

No addition of alcohol as defined in point (4) of Annex I, diluted or not, shall take place.

(d)

Whisky or whiskey shall not be sweetened or flavoured, nor contain any additives other than plain caramel used for colouring.

(d)

Whisky or whiskey shall not be sweetened or flavoured, nor contain any additives other than plain caramel (E150a) used for colouring.

(b)

With the exception of ‘Korn’, the minimum alcoholic strength by volume of grain spirit shall be 37 %.

(b)

With the exception of ‘Korn’, the minimum alcoholic strength by volume of grain spirit shall be 35 %.

(fa)

Grain spirit may only be sweetened by up to 10 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(d)

Wine spirit shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional production methods .

(d)

Wine spirit shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude the addition of substances traditionally used in its production . The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 specifying which substances are authorised across the Union and shall be guided in so doing by traditional production processes in the individual Member States.

(fa)

Wine spirit may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(fb)

The term ‘wine spirit’ in connection with ‘vinegar’ is still authorised for the description, presentation and labelling of vinegar.

5.

5.

Brandy or Weinbrand

(d)

Brandy or Weinbrand shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude traditional production methods .

(d)

Brandy or Weinbrand shall not be flavoured. This shall not exclude the addition of substances traditionally used in their production . The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 43 specifying which substances are authorised across the Union and shall be guided in so doing by traditional production processes in the individual Member States.

(ea)

Brandy or Weinbrand may be sweetened by up to 35 g per litre of finished product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final held.

(ea)

Grape marc spirit or grape marc may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(iv)

the maximum hydrocyanic acid content shall be 7 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol in the case of stone-fruit marc spirit;

(iv)

the maximum hydrocyanic acid content shall be 1 gram per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol in the case of stone-fruit marc spirit; in the case of stone-fruit marc spirit, the ethyl carbamate content of the final product shall not exceed 1 mg/l.

(fa)

Fruit marc spirit may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

8.

8.

Raisin spirit or raisin brandy

(ea)

Raisin spirit or raisin brandy may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(iv)

in the case of stone-fruit spirits, it has a hydrocyanic acid content not exceeding 7 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol.

(iv)

in the case of stone-fruit spirits, a hydrocyanic acid content of 1 gram per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol shall not be exceeded . In the case of stone-fruit spirits, the ethyl carbamate content of the final product shall not exceed 1 mg/l.

(iia)

(h)

Whenever two or more fruits, berries or vegetables are distilled together, the product shall be sold under the name ‘fruit spirit’ or ‘vegetable spirit’, as appropriate . The name may be supplemented by that of each fruit, berry or vegetable, in decreasing order of the quantity used.

(h)

Whenever two or more fruits, berries or vegetables are distilled together, the product shall be sold under the name ‘fruit and vegetable spirit’ or ‘vegetable and fruit spirit’, according to whether mashes from mainly fruit or berries or mashes from vegetables are distilled together . The name may be supplemented by that of each fruit, berry or vegetable, in decreasing order of the quantity used.

(ha)

Fruit spirit may be sweetened by up to 18 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(d)

Neither cider spirit nor perry spirit shall be flavoured.

(d)

Neither cider spirit nor perry spirit shall be flavoured. However, that shall not exclude traditional production methods .

(ea)

Cider spirit and perry spirit may be sweetened by up to 15 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(fa)

Honey spirit may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

12.

12.

(a)

Hefebrand or lees spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation at less than 86 % vol. of lees of wine or of fermented fruit.

(a)

Hefebrand or lees spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation at less than 86 % vol. of lees of wine or of lees of fermented fruit.

(fa)

Hefebrand or lees spirit may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

13.

13.

Bierbrand or eau de vie de bière

(ea)

Bierbrand or eau-de-vie de bière may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

14.

14.

(ea)

Topinambur or Jerusalem artichoke spirit may be sweetened by up to 20 g per litre of final product, expressed as invert sugar, in order to round off the final taste.

(b)

The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of vodka shall be 37,5 %.

(b)

The alcoholic strength by volume of vodka shall be not less than 37,5  % and no more than 80 %.

(ba)

Vodka shall not be coloured.

(d)

The description, presentation or labelling of vodka not produced exclusively from potatoes or cereals shall bear the indication ‘produced from ..’, supplemented by the name of the raw materials used to produce the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.

(d)

The description, presentation or labelling of vodka not produced exclusively from potatoes or cereals or both shall bear the indication ‘produced from ..’, supplemented by the name of the raw materials used to produce the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.

(da)

Vodka may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 10 g of sweetening substances per litre, expressed as invert sugar equivalent.

(db)

Alternatively, the sales denomination may be ‘vodka’ in any Member State.

(i)

produced by maceration of fruit or berries listed under point (ii), whether partially fermented or unfermented, with the possible addition of a maximum of 20 litres of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or of spirit or of distillate deriving from the same fruit, or of a  mixture thereof, per 100 kg of fermented fruit or berries, followed by distillation at less than 86 % vol.;

(i)

produced by maceration of fruit or berries listed under point (ii), whether partially fermented or unfermented, with the possible addition of a maximum of 20 litres of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or of spirit or of distillate deriving from the same fruit, or of a  combination thereof, per 100 kg of fermented fruit or berries, followed by distillation at less than 86 % vol.;

—

rowanberries (Sorbus aucuparia L.),

—

service-berry (Sorbus domestica L.),

—

aronia (chokeberry),

—

bird cherry (Prunus padus L.).

(a)

Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) is a spirit drink obtained by maceration of unfermented fruits and berries listed in point (a) (ii) of category 16 or vegetables, nuts, or other plant materials such as herbs or rose petals in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, followed by distillation at less than 86 % vol.

(a)

Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw materials used) is a spirit drink obtained by maceration of unfermented fruits and berries listed in point (a) (ii) of category 16 or vegetables, nuts, mushrooms or other plant materials such as herbs or rose petals in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, followed by distillation at less than 86 % vol.

17.

17.

Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw materials used)

(ca)

Use of the term ‘-geist’ preceded by a term other than the name of a fruit shall continue to be authorised in imaginative names in the spirit drinks sector.

(a)

Juniper-flavoured spirit drinks are spirit drinks produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or grain spirit or grain distillate or a  mixture thereof with juniper (Juniperus communis L. or Juniperus oxicedrus L.) berries.

(a)

Juniper-flavoured spirit drinks are spirit drinks produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or grain spirit or grain distillate or a  combination thereof with juniper (Juniperus communis L. or Juniperus oxicedrus L.) berries.

20.

20.

21.

21.

Distilled gin

(ii)

the mixture of the product of such distillation and ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with the same composition, purity and alcoholic strength; flavouring substances or flavouring preparations as specified in point (c) of category 20 or both may also be used to flavour distilled gin.

(ii)

the combination of the product of such distillation and ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with the same composition, purity and alcoholic strength; flavouring substances or flavouring preparations as specified in point (c) of category 20 or both may also be used to flavour distilled gin.

22.

22.

(c)

The term London gin may be supplemented by the term ‘dry’.

(c)

The term London gin may incorporate the term ‘dry’.

24.

24.

Akvavit or aquavit

26.

26.

27.

27.

28.

28.

(b)

The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of anis shall be 37 %.

(b)

The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of anis shall be 35 %.

29.

29.

Distilled anis

30.

30.

Bitter-tasting spirit drinks or bitter

(a)

Bitter-tasting spirit drinks or bitter are spirit drinks with a predominantly bitter taste produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with flavouring substances.

(a)

Bitter-tasting spirit drinks or bitter are spirit drinks with a predominantly bitter taste produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with flavouring substances or flavouring preparations or both .

(da)

The maximum sugar content of flavoured vodka shall be 100 grams per litre, expressed as invert sugar.

(db)

The term ‘vodka’ in any official Union language may be replaced by ‘vodka’.