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The Federal Cabinet has approved the draft of the new wine law prepared by the German Winegrowers' Association. It is based on the principle of Romanesque classification systems that have existed since the 19th century in Italy and France, for example: The closer the origin, the higher the quality. At the same time, the large vineyards, which have been controversial for years, are to be retained with the prefix of the term "region". The cooperative associations had fought for this until the very end. In addition, the law contains a transitional period until 2024 or 2025, but this has not yet been fixed.
Details will be regulated by an ordinance, the content of which the Federal Ministry of Agriculture will negotiate with the federal states in the coming weeks. Agriculture Minister Klöckner said that the law should go through the Bundesrat in October and be passed by the Bundestag in November. This would allow it to enter into force at the beginning of 2012.
(uka / Photo: German Wine Institute)