German parliament changes wine law

Published: 23 July, 2008

GERMANY: Wine growing region gets a name change.

The German wine growing region 'Mosel-Saar-Ruwer' will be shortened to 'Mosel' region from 1 August 2007.

The Bundestag, the national parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, said the wine-growing districts of 'Saar' and 'Ruwertal' will remain a part of the wine-growing region.

A transition clause allows wineries and cellars in the Mosel region to use the regional name of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer on their labels for the next two years, giving them time to use up pre-printed labels.

Other changes include replacing the name given to describe high class German wines, the Qualittswein mit Prdikat, will be replaced by Prdikatswein.

Labels already printed may be used on wine bottles up to the 1st of August 2009 and old bottles may still be sold after this date.

German wines will also no longer be allowed to claim wine is suitable for diabetics, in line with changes to European Union regulations.

Wines bearing these words that were made available for sale before the 1st of July 2007 may be sold until 31. July 2009.

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