Two Changes In German Labels

As of 8/1/07, two changes take place for German wine labels.

First, the name of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine growing region, one of the 13 regions (Anbaugebiet), will be simplified to Mosel. Saar and Ruwer will continue to be used as sub-appellations (Bereich). Both terms can be used during a transitional period, but as of 8/1/09 only Mosel can be used.

Second, the term Qualitätswein mit Prädikat is being simplified to the more colloquial Prädikatswein. Both terms will be used during the transition.

[David M. Bueker]

Two opinions:

Second change is very good. Use one word instead of 3.

First change is not good. They really should have just broken the regions apart if they were going to change it IMO. They are totally different.

First change is not good. They really should have just broken the regions apart if they were going to change it IMO. They are totally different.

I agree. It is hostile and demeaning to the notion of terroir, which should be one of the big selling points for German wine.

Although, I guess with so few wineries in the Ruwer they might have thought it difficult to develop a full-scale brand for the "region".

Short press release in English regarding this topic put out by the German Wine Institute: [url=http://www.deutscheweine.de/internet-en/nav/c02/c021c412-768a-401b-e592-6461d7937aae$20950559-5a8d-4501-e76c-d461d7937aae&_ic_uCon=c8e512f1-3284-4117-288b-5952196117f5.htm]Mosel-Saar-Ruwer shortened to Mosel
[/url]

The press release doesn't really say that much, does it?

What this tells me is the preponderance of Mosel producers is greater than that of Saar and Ruwer producers. Can't imagine the S & R guys would sit quietly and accept they are "specialities within the Mosel". As in, we're part of it, but then again we're not.

Appendages don't do well, usually; they are either ignored or surgically removed. To me this is nothing more than a submergence of identity into a larger region for marketing purposes. Dumbing down for the greater good of the greater number.

[David M. Bueker]

So you're telling me:

The needs of the many...outweigh...

...the needs of the few...

or the one...

Appendages don't do well, usually; they are either ignored or surgically removed.

You really shouldn't be providing Yaniger with this kind of a straight line.

To me this is nothing more than a submergence of identity into a larger region for marketing purposes. Dumbing down for the greater good of the greater number.

I've written about exactly this to an acquaintance whose winery is located in the Saar district. If she writes back I'll share what she has to say.

So you're telling me:

The needs of the many...outweigh...

...the needs of the few...

or the one...

No, I'm telling you I understand what's going on. I'm not telling you I subscribe to it.

But while we're at it: (potential flame response coming from usual suspects ) If this is the capitalistic system at work (market driven), what then differentiates it from socialism/communisn?

[David M. Bueker]

Sorry you missed the Star Trek reference Hoke. My tongue was planted firmly in cheek.

Sorry you missed the Star Trek reference Hoke. My tongue was planted firmly in cheek.

Didn't miss it though: the phrasing, or timing with pauses I suppose, gave it away. It lacked only the emphases on pronunciation.

Mirth ......and tears flowing down my cheeks at Doris Ranch! I love you guys!

First change is not good. They really should have just broken the regions apart if they were going to change it IMO. They are totally different.

David, I completely agree. The Saar and Ruwer have their own, excellent characteristics They've always been overshadowed, unfairly, by the larger Mosel region. It's sad to see them now shouted down to Bereich status.

-Paul W.

Dumbing down for the greater good of the greater number.

For the greater good. Grindelwald would have been proud. (Harry Potter reference, for the uninitiated).

Mosel, Mosel, uber alles?

-Paul W.

First change is not good. They really should have just broken the regions apart if they were going to change it IMO. They are totally different.

David, I completely agree. The Saar and Ruwer have their own, excellent characteristics They've always been overshadowed, unfairly, by the larger Mosel region. It's sad to see them now shouted down to Bereich status.

-Paul W.

I dropped a line to the fellow who writes the German newsletter from which I gleaned this info. I asked whether anyone in the MSR region was complaining and didn't get an answer to that question. I noted the current marketing importance of terroir and he responded that Saar and Ruwer would still be extant on the wine label as districts (Bereich) within the region (Anbaugebiet) of Mosel. He indicated that the same thing happened to Kaiserstuhl which is now contained in the region of Baden.

[David M. Bueker]

Terry Theise said it before, and I will repeat it. German wine law is pretty much a case of I've got 5 bullets left in the gun and one good foot left. Let's see if we can hit something.

Oh and Hoke:

Ship...out of danger?

This change is a rare example of sensible German rulemaking. Anything that gets fewer words on the bottle is a good thing. The geek will always be able to learn what they want, I don't care about them.

For the average person, the German "brand," such as it is, consists of a skinny bottle and maybe the word "riesling." Seeing "Mosel-Saar-Ruwer" as a region name is totally offputting. I bet you'll see more sales of Saar and Ruwer wines because of the change.

Walt

[David M. Bueker]

This change is a rare example of sensible German rulemaking. Anything that gets fewer words on the bottle is a good thing. The geek will always be able to learn what they want, I don't care about them.

For the average person, the German "brand," such as it is, consists of a skinny bottle and maybe the word "riesling." Seeing "Mosel-Saar-Ruwer" as a region name is totally offputting. I bet you'll see more sales of Saar and Ruwer wines because of the change.

Walt

Walt,

Trying not to sound like a German wine apologist (likely impossible), but "totally offputting?" The average person doesn't even look at the words. If they want Riesling they buy Riesling & don't care where it's from. Maybe they look for a German wine, but the rest of the label will be ignored.

In that way this is immaterial to the "average person" and only weakens the status of two great (albeit small) regions to second class status, so that when an "average person" decides to become a more educated consumer of German wines they are fed a misleading perception about the Saar & Ruwer.

I actually think this is one of the single worst changes they have made.

And by the way, if Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is offputting then so is Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin, Savigny-les-Beaune, Chateauneuf du Pape, Ribeira del Duero and Russian River Valley.

Might as well just sell all wine with a country name and the variety on the label. That will simplify things. It's not like the appelations matter.