Niveau juridique : Union européenne
Texte de la question
« Seibel grapes are little known, although they have been widely used to make wines in Brazil and Japan, where they have found a ‘terroir’ to suit them. They are becoming increasingly popular in ‘new world’ producing countries and have been receiving attention in the Azores and on the island of Pico in particular, where they are believed to have great potential.
‘Seibel’ is in fact a generic term for the group of Seibel grape varieties, hybrids which Albert Seibel bred in France in the late 19th century by crossing with Vitis labrusca. Nowadays, like other hybrids, they may not be used in wine-making in the EU.
What are the possibilities for making an exception to the CMO Regulation to enable Seibel grapes to be used in wine-making in the Azores, in the same way as the Isabella variety? »
Texte de la réponse
« The EU legislation(1) prohibits the use of only six specific wine grape varieties, i.e. Noah, Othello, Isabelle, Jacquez, Clinton and Herbemont.
All other varieties belonging to Vitis vinifera or from a cross between Vitis vinifera and other species of the genus Vitis may potentially be used in wine growing in the Union provided that the Member States classify them for the purpose of wine production(2).
Thus, for instance, France has classified several so-called Seibel varieties. Some of them (e.g. Colobel, Florental, Plantet) are permitted in the production of wines benefitting from a protected geographical indication.
In its proposal for a reform of the common agricultural policy adopted on 1 June 2018(3), the Commission has included the possibility of using Vitis labrusca and its varieties in wine growing and proposed to remove the prohibition of the six abovementioned varieties and to allow the use of varieties resulting from a cross between Vitis vinifera and other species of the genus Vitis for wines under protected designation of origin. This proposal is currently under discussion with the European Parliament and the Council. »
(1) Article 81(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671).
(2) Article 81(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) COM(2018) 394 final.
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