Mosel-Saar-Ruwer & Qualitätswein mit Prädikat No More!

Utz Graafmann's Wein-Plus German language newsletter reports that the regional designation Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is being replaced with simply Mosel and in a similar simplification Qualitätswein mit Prädikat is being reduced to Prädikatswein. The term Qualitätswein garantierten Ursprungs (Quality Wine of Guaranteed Origin) which is similar to the Italian IGT will not be authorized, although it hardly had been used.

A little research brought to light that these changes had been resolved by the German government back in October '06 and will become effective in the fall of this year.

For you Germanophiles out, here is the blurb from the newsletter:

Aus Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wird Mosel

Nun ist es auch im Bundestag beschlossen. Statt dem, gerade für ausländische Zungen, schwierig auszusprechenden Anbaugebiet "Mosel-Saar-Ruwer" wird zukünftig einfach nur "Mosel" auf den deutschen Etiketten stehen. Aus dem "Qualitätswein mit Prädikat" wird zukünftig einfach nur noch "Prädikatswein". Der bisher fast nur theoretisch existente "Qualitätswein garantierten Ursprungs" verschwindet völlig.

Ziel der Änderungen ist es, die Marktchancen für deutschen Wein im Ausland zu verbessern.

Meine Meinung: Wenn durch eine entsprechend strikte Qualitätsweinprüfung sichergestellt werden würde, dass der Begriff "Qualitätswein" nur noch auf Etiketten erscheinen kann, wenn der Inhalt tatsächlich auch diesem Anspruch genügt, wäre dem deutschen Wein mehr geholfen, als mit kosmetischen Änderungen am Etikett.

Prosit!

I totally agree with simplifying the terminology. The law should, however, deem the Saar and Ruwer separate regions and require labeling as such. Estates like Egon Müller residing in the Saar, and Karthäuserhof in the Ruwer bring enough credibility to these valleys for individual labeling. Also, I agree with the post that the quality of the wine should be improved before the wording is. I would like to see a universal Premier and Grand Cru classification similar to Burgundy (Not just VDP members). The 1971 wine law amendments (and subsequent 'Erstes Gewächs/Grosses Gewächs' classifications) were too generous in that they allowed too many growers to claim their vineyards as top notch. Unfortunately, not everyone does or can own Grand Cru vineyards (the same dilemma is faced in Alsace -51 Grand Crus is a mockery of the whole system). This approach would not only secure higher prices for true Grand Cru Vineyards, it would establish recognized 'household name' vineyards for the export market. With the resurgence in popularity of Riesling worldwide, and with Germany still firmly in place as the reigning king of the grape, it seems a good time to re-examine (if not completely overhaul) the German wine law –not to mention lower the maximum yield of First/Great growth vineyards to far less than the current 50 hl/ha. On the other hand, if it doesn’t happen, those of us who do actually buy German Riesling can look forward to further bargains. Germany, it’s your choice!