Introductory text

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^f1, and in particular Article 46(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Point 3 of Part B of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 makes provisions for exceptions as regards the maximum volatile acid content of certain categories of wine.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000^f2 lays down certain detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 as regards the maximum total volatile acid content of wine. In particular, under Article 20 of that Regulation the wines covered by exceptions are as set out in Annex XIII thereto.

Certain Spanish quality liqueur wines psr and the Italian quality liqueur wine psr Alto Adige, which are made using special methods and have a total alcoholic strength by volume greater than 13 % vol., normally have a volatile acid content above the limits laid down in point 1 of Part B of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 but less than 35 or 40 milliequivalents per litre depending on the wine in question. Those wines should therefore be added to the list in Annex XIII to Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000.

Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: