Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

ORDINARY AMENDMENTS TO THE “ETNA” DOC WINES DISCIPLINARY February 2022

ORDINARY AMENDMENTS TO THE “ETNA” DOC WINES REGULATIONS
We inform you that in the Official Journal of the Italian Republic of 3 February 2022 the Decree of 19 January 2022 Ordinary amendments to the production specifications of the controlled designation of origin of "Etna" wines with attachment (ANNEX A) the consolidated production specification.
The main changes concern:

Art. 2-Ampelographic basis for Etna sparkling wine (both rosé and white vinified) in the ampelographic composition the minimum percentage of Nerello Mascalese has been increased from 60% to 80%

Art. 4-Regulations for viticulture introduction of paragraph 2, relating to the minimum number of vines per hectare equal to 4,600 plants/ha for new plantings and replantings in paragraph 5 for the Etna rosé the minimum alcoholic strength of the grapes has been decreased from 12% vol to 11.5% vol and, for Etna sparkling wine (both white and rosé) from 10% vol to 9.5% vol

Art. 6-Consumption characteristics For the superior white Etna, the maximum value (7 g/l) relating to total acidity has been eliminated and only the minimum value of 5.5 g/l has remained. For the rosé Etna the descriptor relating to color was changed, which became "more or less intense rosé even with orange reflections", to also include rosés, which, following the evolution of consumer tastes, are produced with lighter shades; the minimum total alcoholic strength by volume which has been lowered from 12.5% vol to 12.00% vol; the extract
minimum non-reducer which has been lowered from 20.0 g/l to 18.0 g/l For the Etna white sparkling wine, the descriptor relating to the color has been changed, which has become "more or less intense straw yellow" and, the descriptor relating to the smell, which has become "intense and characteristic, sometimes with citrus notes accompanied by a delicate hint of yeast" For the Etna rosé sparkling wine, the descriptor relating to the color has been modified, which has become "more or less intense rosé also with orange reflections” and the odor descriptor.

Art. 7-Labeling and presentation In paragraph 4 the possibility of using the broader geographical name "Sicily" was introduced

Art. 8-Packaging In paragraph 1 the maximum capacity of bottles has been lowered from 5 to 3 litres, with the exception of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhenish shaped glass bottles: in these cases it can reach up to 18 litres. In paragraph 3, the use of flush-to-mouth corks, previously obligatory for all wines, has been limited only to Etna red reserve and Etna white superior wines, for the other types all closure systems permitted by current legislation are now permitted.