Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash
The European Commission has approved the addition of rio Negro wines to the register of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
Rio Negro are white and red wines, produced in the province of Guadalajara, in Spain.
They are known for their aromas: the whites offer citrus, floral, tropical, and apple notes, while the reds are marked by red fruit, floral, spicy, and smoky scents.
Their naturally high acidity gives them remarkable freshness and good aging potential.
These specific qualities are the result of the area’s particular geographical environment, including its climate, altitude, and soil composition.
The winemaking tradition in the Río Negro area is long-established and reflects the know-how passed down through generations of local producers.
This new denomination, says the EC, will now be added to the list of 1,653 wine products already protected.
EU quality policy aims to protect the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how.
Product names can be granted a geographical indication (GI) if they have a specific link to the place where they are made. The EU says GI recognition enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better.
Recognised as intellectual property, geographical indications play an increasingly important role in trade talks.
Other EU quality schemes emphasise the traditional production process or products made in difficult natural areas such as mountains or islands.
