Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2003 of 10 March 2003 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90 determining Community methods for the analysis of wines

• Published date: 11 March 2003
• Subject Matter: Wine
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Union, L 66, 11 March 2003

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2003 of 10 March 2003 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90 determining Community methods for the analysis of wines

Official Journal L 066 , 11/03/2003 P. 0015 - 0023

Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2003

of 10 March 2003

amending Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90 determining Community methods for the analysis of wines

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2585/2001(2), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 46(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The Annex to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90(3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000(4), describes analysis methods.

(2) An analysis method for D-malic acid suitable for measuring the low levels found in wines has been developed and validated according to recognised international criteria. The International Vine and Wine Office adopted the description of this new method at its General Assembly in June 2002.

(3) A new method for determining the carbon isotope ratio of wine ethanol or of ethanol obtained through the fermentation of grape musts, concentrated grape musts or rectified concentrated grape musts has been developed and validated according to recognised international criteria. The International Vine and Wine Office adopted the description of this new method at its General Assembly in 2001.

(4) The use of these methods can ensure better control of wine quality and authenticity and prevent disputes caused by the application of less accurate testing methods, particularly as regards enrichment with mixtures of sugars of various origins and the acidification of wines using malic acid.

(5) The existing method for the dosage of D-malic acid described in the Annex to Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90 should be supplemented by the description of the procedure for determining low levels and the description of the new isotopic method for carbon in ethanol should be added.

(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Annex to Regulation (EEC) No 2676/90 is hereby amended as follows:

1. In Chapter 20, "D-malic acid", point 8 is replaced by Annex I hereto.

2. Chapter 45 in Annex II hereto is added.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 10 March 2003.

For the Commission

Franz Fischler

Member of the Commission

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

(2) OJ L 345, 29.12.2001, p. 10.

(3) OJ L 272, 3.10.1990, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 194, 31.7.2000, p. 1.

ANNEX I

"8. DOSAGE OF D-MALIC ACID (D(+)-MALIC ACID) IN WINES WITH LOW LEVELS

8.1. FIELD OF APPLICATION

The method described is applied to the dosage, by enzymatic means, of D-malic acid of wines with levels under 50 mg/l.

8.2. PRINCIPLE

The principle of the method is described in point 1. The formation of NADH after the introduction into the cuvette of 50 mg/l of D-malic acid is proportional to the quantity of D-malate present and is measured on the basis of the increase in absorbance at a wavelength of 340 nm.

8.3. REAGENTS

A 0,199 g/l D-malic acid solution plus the reagents indicated in point 2.

8.4. APPARATUS

Apparatus indicated in point 3.

8.5. PREPARATION OF THE SAMPLE

As indicated in point 4.

8.6. PROCEDURE

The procedure is as described in point 5, but with the introduction into the measuring cuvette of 50 mg/l of D-malic acid. (Introduction of 0,025 ml of 0,199 g/l D-malic acid solution, displacing the equivalent volume of water); the values obtained are decreased by 50 mg/l.

8.7. INTERNAL VALIDATION

The table below summarises the internal validation file on the method for determining the dosage of D(+)-malic acid after the addition of 50 mg/l of the isomer.

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ANNEX II

"45. DETERMINATION BY ISOTOPE MASS SPECTROMETRY OF THE 13C/12C RATIO IN WINE ETHANOL OR ETHANOL OBTAINED BY THE FERMENTATION OF MUSTS, CONCENTRATED MUSTS OR RECTIFIED CONCENTRATED MUSTS

1. FIELD OF APPLICATION

The method enables measurement of the 13C/12C isotope ratio in wine ethanol and ethanol obtained by fermentation of products of the vine (musts, concentrated musts, rectified concentrated musts).

2. REFERENCE STANDARDS

ISO: 5725:1994 'Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results: Basic method for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility of a...