Proposal of two basic stages of categorization of vineyards in Moravia

Basic level: VOC „Moravia“

• Based on existing vineyards registered as on 31 May 2019 in accordance ith ÚKZÚZ, under its supervision;
• Basic „VOC Moravia“ guaranteed by the state;
• Varieties cultivated for at least 20 years and covering minimum of 1% of the total vineyard area in CZ;
• White varieties: Rhine Riesling, Vlachian Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Muller Thurgau, Neuburger, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Silvaner, Palava, Aurelius, Traminer, Moravian Muscat;
• Blue varieties: Blauer Portugieser, Saint Laurent, Blue Frankish, Pinot noir, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Moravia, Merlot, Dornfelder;
• Minimum of 4,000 shrubs per hectare;
• Max. use of herbicides once in season;
• Grants for spading machinery, mulchers of strips by shrubs and similar grass killing technologies;
• Agrotechnical procedures following the „environment friendly“ general rules;
• Existing VOCs will transform into the next, higher level of VOC if they meet the requirements, otherwise they will remain members of the basic „VOC MORAVIA“ level;
• Maximum yield per hectare: 75 hl;
• All varieties categorized depending on the residual sugar amount: 0g-4g, 4,1g–12g, 12,1g–45g, more than 45g;
• White wines can be marketed 6 months after harvest at the earliest, red wines 9 months after harvest at the earliest;
• SZPI classification of bottled wines;
• Vineyard inspections by ÚKZÚZ (spraying, herbicides, fertilizers).

Higher level: VOC „Terroir“

• Examples: Pálava, Kraví hora, Šobes, Modré hory, Dunajovické kopce, Svatý Antoníček, Pouzdřanská step etc.;
• New wine municipalities and tracks are possible under the supervision and guarantee of ÚKZÚZ;
• Limited number of varieties of the VOC basic level, minimum percentage of varieties 10% and minimum of 20 years from planting, strong representation of cuvées from authorized varieties;
• Minimum of 5,000 shrubs per hectare;
• Completely free of herbicides;
• Major grants for spading machinery, mulchers of strips by shrubs and similar grass killing technologies;
• Agrotechnical procedures following the „environment friendly“ general rules (higher level) – prevalence of following the procedures and rules, not subsidies;
• Deep tillage or loosening when planting grass to a depth of 60 cm, deep fertilization with organic fertilizers or natural rocks;
• Maximum yield per hectare: 60 hl;
• All varieties categorized depending on the residual sugar amount: 0g 0g-4g, 4,1g–12g, 12,1g–45g, více než 45g;
• White wines can be marketed 9 months after harvest at the earliest, red wines 12 months after harvest at the earliest;
• Wines without specifying attributes, without the possibility to increase sugar content, however, minimum shall equal „late harvest“ attribute, i.e. 21 deg. ČNM;
• „Classification“ by evaluation committees of the associations (VOC), once the legal requirements (SZPI) are met in selected prarameters (alcohol, SO2, volatile acids etc.);
• Inspection of vineyard management by individual associations, inspection by ÚKZÚZ (spraying, use of herbicides, use of fertilizers);
• A new, strict, unambiguous definition of producers (winemakers, wine cellars) and a distinction from traders or ‘fillers’ will be required in the amendment to the regulation. Own products from their own vineyards cannot be sold under the same brand as purchased, imported ones – trust in VOC.