# Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1176/2012 of 7 December 2012 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications [Μανταρίνι Χίου (Mandarini Chiou) (PGI)], Division 5.1: Specificity of the geographical area

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Soil – the geological substratum is made up of alluvial deposits from the disintegration of limestone. Most of the soils are loamy and rich in total and active calcium (CaCO3), two favourable factors for the growing of 'Mandarini Chiou'.
Climate – the area’s climate is characterised by:
annual Etesian winds (Meltemi winds, which in the Mediterranean area are found only in the Aegean) that help maintain stable temperatures (producing a milder climate and generally protecting the fruit from frost) and disperse any clouds,
a high level of sunshine throughout the year (Chios has more hours without cloud than anywhere else in Greece) and particularly during the period of the annual winds, when the hours of sunshine are greatest, and
a small temperature range throughout the year and, consequently, short, mild winters and cool summers.
The climate described above together with (a) the maintenance of high surface-water temperatures (>22 °C), even in autumn, (b) the terrain, which allows greater exposure to the sun, and (c) the properties of the soils, as described in the previous point, have influenced the size and quality of the fruit grown, since a high sugar content due to the high exposure to the sun and high daytime temperatures that promote photosynthesis, as well as the rapid breakdown of acids due to high night-time temperatures, lead to an increased maturity index.
Sugar
Acidity as citric acid
and consequently a sweet taste and an intense aroma.
Human factors – 'Mandarini Chiou' has been grown continually over many decades, with practices being adapted as necessary, and this has led to the construction of suitable buildings and the development of practices totally adapted to production. These can be summarised as follows:
the special architecture of many of the buildings/homes of the owners of agricultural holdings, which stand inside the orchards and are usually two-storied to permit better monitoring of the crop.
the irrigation system, which uses ditches and capstans to draw water of excellent quality from wells. It should be noted that the island’s irrigation system was developed in the 14th century by the Genoese, who also built drainage systems not found anywhere else in the world at that time.
the intelligent harvesting methods that were developed. According to many sources, the growers of Chios were alone among the Greeks in knowing the correct method of cutting the fruit from the tree, i.e. using shears and then cutting the stalks close to the fruit, leaving only the peduncle, so as to avoid long stalks causing any damage to the fruit during their transportation in buckets and crates.
the techniques and practices for applying fertiliser that were developed, inter alia, the general use of manure from the cattle, sheep, goats and poultry that the citrus-fruit growers farmed together with their fruit trees. The use of manure, although remaining one of the main methods for nourishing the trees, is tending to disappear as manure is no longer available in sufficient quantities.
the techniques and practices adopted to protect the trees against frost, including controlled fires, 'tichoyiria' (enclosure walls) and the high planting density used, with a minimum distance between trees of 2 to 2,5 m (around 100 trees per 1 000 m2).

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/1176/annex/II/division/SINGLE/division/5/division/5.1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2012-1176/annex-II/division-SINGLE/division-5/division-5.1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.