Question for written answer E-001573/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Schneider (PPE)

Part B of Annex IV to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 lists designations that are linked to a specific origin. Accordingly, wines from Germany may not bear the variety names Barbera or Sangiovese, for instance.

Part B of Annex IV dates back to a time when geographical protection was not yet enshrined in German wine designation law and was therefore not of strategic importance. For some of the grape varieties listed in Part B of Annex IV, there were official authorisations for testing from the time of the Germanic designation system. At present, no varietal wine can be produced in the vineyards concerned with indication of grape variety. Under the new system of geographical protection, i.e. designations of origin, official authorisations for testing are no longer possible. Clarification is therefore needed as to how the relevant vineyards and wines should be dealt with.

• 1.Is the Commission planning to revise and adapt Part B of Annex IV in order to take account of new developments in grape variety cultivation, including as regards necessary changes in the range of grape varieties as a result of climate change?
• 2.What legal changes does the Commission intend to prompt so that, for example, German wines produced from the Barbera or Sangiovese varieties can be marketed with indication of grape variety?
• 3.How should existing vineyards be dealt with in Germany if the vines concerned were originally planted lawfully and indication of wine grape variety is no longer possible?

Submitted: 17.4.2025