92002E1506

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1506/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 May 2002)

Subject: Production of vinegar from dried grapes

From ancient times vinegar has been made in Greece from sun-dried grapes (mainly the Corinthian variety); in the Greek Food Code it is described as genuine vinegar and is exported very successfully throughout the world.

In the regulation on wine, (EC) No 1493/1999(1), in spite of the fact that there is a reference to wine vinegar, there is no clear stipulation that vinegar made from dried grapes is wine vinegar, although the regulation states that dried grape alcohol is equivalent to vinous alcohol.

Since the production of vinegar from dried grapes is an activity which supports producers, particularly those from an especially backward and poor region such as the Peloponnese, can the Commission say whether it will make the requisite amendments to Regulation No 1493/99, in order to clearly stipulate that vinegar from sun-dried grapes is wine vinegar, as is in fact the case, and to bring it into line with dried grape alcohol?

(1) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2002)

Dried grape alcohol is not defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on common organisation of the market in wine but is treated as a like product to wine alcohol when used in production of liqueur wine as defined in the Annex to that Regulation. But Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 of 29 May 1989 laying down general rules on the definition, description and presentation of spirit drinks(1) defines wine spirit and raisin spirit quite differently (Article 1(4)(d) and (h)).

A distinction must also be drawn in the case of vinegar. Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 defines wine vinegar as vinegar obtained exclusively by acetous fermentation of wine.

Wine is defined in the Community rules as the product obtained exclusively from total or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, whether or not crushed, or of grape must. Thus alcoholic fermentation of dried grapes cannot produce wine and the Commission considers that dried grape vinegar, not being produced from wine, is not covered by Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999.

The Commission therefore has no plans for addition to the Regulation of definitions or specific provisions relating to that product.

(1) OJ L 160, 12.6.1989.