Waiver to allow the use of Seibel grape varieties

31.12.2018

Question for written answer E-006477-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL)

Seibel grapes are little known, although they have been widely used to make wines in Brazil and Japan, where they have found a ‘terroir’ to suit them. They are becoming increasingly popular in ‘new world’ producing countries and have been receiving attention in the Azores and on the island of Pico in particular, where they are believed to have great potential.

‘Seibel’ is in fact a generic term for the group of Seibel grape varieties, hybrids which Albert Seibel bred in France in the late 19th century by crossing with Vitis labrusca. Nowadays, like other hybrids, they may not be used in wine-making in the EU.

What are the possibilities for making an exception to the CMO Regulation to enable Seibel grapes to be used in wine-making in the Azores, in the same way as the Isabella variety?