Wine law

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In summary, wine law are those legal regulations that deal with the cultivation, production and sale of wine .

Wine law in Germany

Basic data
Title: Wine Law
Previous title: Law relating to the trade in
wine, beverages containing and similar to wine
1971: Law on wine, liqueur wine, sparkling wine, beverages containing wine and spirits made from wine
Abbreviation: WeinG (not official)
Type: Federal law
Scope: Federal Republic of Germany
Legal matter: Commercial administrative law , agricultural law , food law
References : 2125-5-7
Original version from: April 20, 1892
( RGBl. P. 597)
Entry into force on: May 16, 1892
and October 1, 1892
New announcement from: January 18, 2011
( Federal Law Gazette I p. 66 )
Last revision from: July 8, 1994
( BGBl. I p. 1467 )
Entry into force of the
new version on: 		September 1, 1994
Last change by: Art. 26 G of November 20, 2019
( Federal Law Gazette I p. 1626, 1646 )
Effective date of the
last change: 		November 26, 2019
(Art. 155 G of November 20, 2019)
GESTA : B030
Weblink: Text of the law
Please note the note on the applicable legal version.

The Wine Act divides German wines into four quality classes based on the sugar content of the must (in degrees Oechsle ), combined with a regional designation, but without classification of origin or location:

Levels (in descending quality next to sparkling wine bA, quality sparkling wine bA and quality liqueur wine bA)

  1. Predicate wine (former designation: quality wine with predicate, QmP),
  2. Quality wine (former name: quality wine from certain growing areas, QbA),
  3. Country wine
  4. Wine, previously: table wine

The achievement of the upper two levels requires the passing of an official quality wine test , an essentially sensory test , which aims primarily to prevent wines that are not marketable, ie to sort out defective wines. Passing the official quality wine test is shown on the labels of the wines with the official test number (AP no.).

The wine law prohibited the marketing of art wine , what with EU was incompatible privilege. Production and sale of these artificial wines have been permitted in the EU since the Wine Trade Agreement came into force on January 1, 2006. Before this, these wines (mostly Californian, Australian and New Zealand wines) were not allowed to be traded in the EU.

As a result of the new EU wine market regulation, the quality levels will be renamed from August 2009, as in all other EU wine-growing countries. In Germany and other German-speaking countries z. B. the previous country wine to "Wine with protected geographical indication PGI"

The previous division gives way to one

  1. Wine without indication of origin
  2. Wine with a protected geographical indication (this includes country wine)
  3. Wine with protected indication of origin (this includes quality wine, predicate wine with official examination)

The federal legislature is facing an EU-wide reform of the wine law. The aim is to simplify the labeling law in order to offer the consumer more clarity and transparency.

history

In 92, the Roman Emperor Domitian (51–96) imposed a ban on planting vines in the provinces outside Italy or ordered some of the existing vineyards to be cleared. Emperor Probus (276–282) lifted this ban again; in the year 280 he allowed “all Gauls, Spaniards and British to own vines and to make wine”.

A first "order and statute on wine" of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was issued in 1498 at the Reichstag in Freiburg . This should counteract counterfeiting of wine.

The following wine laws have been enacted at the federal level since 1892 :

  • Law on the traffic in wine, beverages containing and similar to wine of April 20, 1892 ( RGBl. P. 597 ) - regulations against counterfeiting of wine, legalization of sugar in exceptional cases;
  • Law on the trade in wine, beverages containing and similar to wine of 24 May 1901 ( RGBl. P. 175 ) - definition of cultivation areas, selection of grape varieties and winemaking;
  • Wine Act of April 7, 1909 ( RGBl. P. 393 ) - first legal definition of wine, new regulation of wine improvement, separation of wine control from food control, introduction of accounting obligations for winemakers, definition of certain growing areas;
  • Wine Act of July 25, 1930 ( RGBl. I p. 356 ) - Regulations on winemaking;
  • Wine Act of July 16, 1969 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 781 ) - Introduction of three quality classes for wine (table wine, quality wine, quality wine with predicate), the quality classes are determined according to Öchslegraden, the quality wine is officially chemically and sensory tested and receives an official one Exam number;
  • Wine Act of July 14, 1971 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 893 ) - taking into account Regulation (EEC) No. 817/70 of April 28, 1970 ( OJ No. L 99, p. 20), replacing “table wine” with "Table wine";
  • Wine Act of July 8, 1994 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 1467 ) - Merging of the Wine Industry Act with the Wine Act, redesign of the maximum hectare yield regulations, transfer of responsibilities to the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection .
  • On June 12, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture presented the draft of the new wine law, which was eagerly awaited by German winemakers. A key element is the changed indication of origin on the bottles. In future, it should be based more on geographic origin, similar to the principle common in Romance countries.

Wine law in France

There are four classes that do not classify the wine primarily according to quality, but guarantee the origin and the production methods. The division varies depending on the area:

  1. Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée is the highest class. There are almost 400 different AC or AOC.
  2. Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure . The second grade. These wines are produced in around 26 regionally defined areas according to similar but lower requirements than those for AC or AOC wines.
  3. Vin de Pays (country wine). The third class, also from a demarcated area. Today there are around 140 such areas. These wines must also meet certain requirements.
  4. Vin de Table (table wine) is the lowest quality level. Its minimum alcohol content is 8.5%.

Wine law in Italy

The wine law divides wines into four classes, from the highest classes DOCG and DOC to the lowest class of Vino da Tavola.

  1. Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita . The highest class represents a "super class" of the DOC. The term was introduced in 1980.
  2. Denominazione di origine controllata . The next higher class regulates the yield, the permitted grape varieties, the wine production, the storage and the geographical origin. As in France, quality is only regulated indirectly.
  3. Indicazione Geografica Tipica . Since 1992 a new class between DOC and Vino da tavola. The wines may come from a larger geographical area than DOC wines, but must meet higher quality requirements than Vino da tavola.
  4. Vino da tavola (table wine). The lowest class for the simplest wines, but also for wines made from locally unapproved grapes.

Wine law in Spain

In 1972 the Instituto Nacional de Denominaciónes de Origen was founded. The institute supervises the various Denominaciónes de Origen , in each of which a control body (“Consejo Regulador”) carries out the design and monitoring of the relevant provisions.

Category of the "Vinos de Calidad Producidos en Regiones Determinadas" (VCPRD): "Quality wines from certain growing areas" according to EU law

  1. Vino de Pago . Highest classification according to Spanish wine law. The quality requirements correspond at least to those of the DOCa.wines. In addition, the wines should reflect a specific character of the respective location. In contrast to the other classification levels, only individual wineries are classified. Another condition is the processing of own grapes, which must come from the immediate vicinity of the winery. The classification was newly introduced in 2003 and by mid-2010 they had only acquired nine wineries.
  2. Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa.). Classified wines with designation of origin. The criteria are even stricter than in a DO. The area must demonstrate the relevant standards over a long period of time and have the status of a DO for at least ten years. Wines bearing this designation must have been bottled by the producer and have been subjected to a physical-chemical and organoleptic quality control by the control committee. Up until mid-2009 there were only two growing regions with this classification.
  3. Denominación de Origen (DO). The predicate for certain wine-growing areas with controlled designation of origin. Corresponds to the Italian DOC or the French AOC. The DO designation means that the wine was produced in accordance with the regulations of the respective growing area. Above all, these determine the spatial boundaries, the permitted wine-growing methods, grape varieties, maximum yields and minimum alcohol content as well as the permitted methods of winemaking. An area that wants to obtain the status must have met the criteria of a VCIG for at least five years.
  4. Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG). The simplest quality wine designation, introduced with the renewal of the wine law in 2003. As a preliminary stage to the DO, it lays down rules for the growing area and methods of viticulture and winemaking in a simpler way and controls them. "Vino de Calidad de ..." appears on the label, followed by the corresponding growing region.

Category of "Vinos de la Mesa" (VDM): "Table wines" according to EU law

  1. Vinos de la Tierra (country wines). Table wines that have certain regional characteristics. Approximately corresponds to the French Vin de Pays. The cultivation area, the grape varieties, the production methods, the minimum alcohol content and certain organoleptic properties are prescribed. The origin must be indicated on the label and takes the form "Vino de la Tierra de ...".
  2. Vinos de Mesa (table wines). The simplest wines without strict requirements on the production or origin. The wines must have EU origins.

Wine law in Portugal

With the Regiáo Demarcada from the middle of the 18th century, Portugal was the first country to have a form of designation of origin.

  1. Denominação de Origem Controlada : the highest class, corresponds to the AOC in France.
  2. Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada : the second highest class, corresponds to the French VDQS
  3. Vinho De Mesa: (table wine) blended from different regions.

Wine law in Switzerland

The wine ordinance divides wines into three categories based on the origin and the sugar content of the grapes:

  1. Wine with a controlled designation of origin AOC , for example that of the canton or a municipality. The name of the grape variety is often added to the designation of origin.
  2. Wine with designation of origin or the canton's own "traditional name" (country wine).
  3. Wine with the designation Vin Blanc / white wine or Vin Rouge / red wine ("table wine").

Wine growing rights in Austria

In Austria the legal matter is called viticulture law . In Lower Austria, Styria (and historically Carniola) one speaks of mining law for vineyard law, i.e. the right to operate vineyards and to cultivate wine.

Legal sources:

The Austrian wine categories generally require higher must weights than in Germany, for example. The must weight is measured in Austria in degrees KMW .

  1. Predicate wine: Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Ausbruch, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein, Strohwein or Schilfwein. These categories may not be enriched and no sweet reserve may be added.
  2. Cabinet: The wine must not be fortified and must have at least 17 degrees KMW - a maximum of 13% vol alcohol or 9 g per liter of residual sugar.
  3. Quality wine: Quality wine from a single region; may be enriched. The minimum sugar content is 15 degrees KMW.
  4. Country wine: Country wine from a specific wine-growing region. From quality grape varieties with at least 14 degrees KMW.
  5. Wine (formerly table wine ): Simple wine has at least 10.6 degrees KMW.

Wine law in Hungary

The Hungarian wine law is similar to that of its western neighbors. The wines are divided into:

  1. Asztai Bor (table wine)
  2. Táj Bor (country wine)
  3. Minöségi Bor (quality wine)

The country has 22 growing areas and 6 regions. The quality is given in ° KMW. The yield and the origin play a small role.

Wine law in the Czech Republic

In 1995 a new wine law was created. This defines viticulture, production and the various types of wine. Due to the sugar content, the wines are classified into table wines, quality wines and wines with a predicate designation. The latter are in turn divided into Kabinettweine, Spätlese and Auslese.

Wine law in Slovakia

In 1996 a new wine law was introduced, whereby other legal regulations also affect viticulture. The wines are classified into table wine, quality wine, premium wines (with predicate designation). The Viticulture Institute in Bratislava is primarily responsible for quality control and for promoting viticulture .

Wine law in Romania

In 1971 the government introduced a system for classifying wines into five quality classes.

  1. Vin De Masa / Regiune (table wine).
  2. Vin De Masa / Regiune Superioar (table wine of higher quality).
  3. Vin De Calitate Superioara (quality wine).
  4. Vin De Calitate Superioara Cu Denumire De Origine ( Guaranteed Origin Wine).
  5. Vin De Calitate Superioara Cu Denumire De Origine Si Trepte De Calitate .

The VSOC - Classification resembles the German grade quality wine with distinction and is in turn divided into fully ripe harvest , noble maturity read or read and precious Beer reading .

Wine law in Bulgaria

In 1978 the Bulgarian Parliament adopted a Wine Law, the aim of which was to improve the quality of wine production.

  1. Standard quality is the lowest class and corresponds to table and country wines.
  2. Vino ot Deklariran Geografski (original quality ) is the next level. They are wines with a declared geographical origin, that is, they come from an appellation.
  3. Vino Kontrolirano Naimenovanie za Proizhod is the highest quality class, whose wines must come from certain grape varieties and vineyards from certain VDG areas.

Wine law in Slovenia

The origin and marketing of Slovenian wines are subject to strict origin and quality controls. It corresponds roughly to that used in the rest of Europe.

Wine law in Croatia

The Croatian wine laws are largely adapted to the European ones. There are designations of both origin and quality.

Wine law in Greece

Even in ancient times, Greek wines were given designations of origin. The modern appellation system was introduced between 1969 and 1971. When Greece joined the European Union in 1981, the wine laws were adapted to those of the other member states.

There are the following quality classes and sub-classes:

  • OPAP , high quality wines, corresponds to the French AOP or Italian DOCG.
  • OPE , a designation for quality wines, corresponds to the Italian DOC.
  • Topikos Oinos corresponds to the Vin de Pays.
  • Epitrapezeos Oinos (gr. Επιτραπέζιος οίνος) is a classification for simple wines .
    • A cava wine is a table wine with a long storage time (2 years for white wine, 3 years for red wine.)
    • Retsina (Greek Ρετσίνα, Retsína is female in Greek) is a white, dry wine from Greece that is mixed with resin.

Wine law in England

An EU project to introduce a quality wine system has been running since the 1991 harvest. The aim is to limit the yield and, as in other EU countries, the excess of cheap wines. A big problem for many English winemakers is that the quality status only applies to wines made from recognized grape varieties. The unrecognized Seyval Blanc variety , a hybrid, grows in half of all vineyards . In the current EU project, England and Wales have been divided into the Southern Counties and the Northern Counties . Wines that meet all the mandatory rules may be labeled Wine produced in a specific region , or the geographical designation Southern Counties or Northern Counties. Before this project leads to a wine law, you will still find many table wines.

Wine law in Luxembourg

In 1935 the Marque Nationale was introduced to classify wines according to quality . The classes are table wine, quality wine and quality wine with predicate. The predicates are classified as follows: Vin classé , Premier Cru and Grand Premier Cru . All wines except table wines must have a control number on the label.

Wine law in South Africa

The term Wine of Origin was introduced in 1973. WO wines have either a guarantee of origin, a guarantee of origin, a guarantee of grape varieties or a guarantee of vintage. Varietal wines must come from at least 75% of the grape variety mentioned, 75% of which was vinified from one vintage. The WO seal is issued by the Wine & Spirits Board after various tests. A special WO label guarantees that the exam has been passed. Estate bottled confirms vinification and bottling by the specified winery.

Wine Law in the United States

The federal agency that controls viticulture is called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). In 1978 the country was divided into AVA . The following criteria apply: If the designation of origin is indicated on the label, this region of origin must be recognized by the federal authority. An AVA must be unique in terms of climate, soil conditions and history and contain a clear geographical delimitation. The name of the region may only be given if at least 85% of the wine comes from grapes from this region. Varietal Wines: At least 75% of the wine must have been made from the variety mentioned. If the area of ​​origin is mentioned on the label, 100% of the grapes must come from there. If a vineyard is mentioned, 95% of the grapes must come from there. If the vintage is given, 95% of the wine must come from that year. Semi Generic Wines and Generic Wines are mostly so-called jug wines . They often have fancy names like “Chablis”, “Rhine” and “Burgundy” and their production is barely regulated by law. Sparkling wine : If the wine is labeled “Champagne” on the bottle, a precise explanation must follow: “ méthode champenoise ” or “ fermented in this bottle ” corresponds to the champagne method; " Bottle fermented " or " Fermented in the bottle " corresponds to the transvasion process ; “Bulk process” or “charmat process” means tank fermentation .

Wine law in Chile

There is a strictly regulated control system with regard to production and consumption. The laws in Chile are very reminiscent of the appellation system in France: regulation of the annual yield and mandatory reporting in the event of higher production and remaining stocks.

Wine law in Australia

In Australia, there is still no wine law similar to the European one. But there is a Label Integrity program that guarantees the origin of the grape varieties. If a grape variety is specified on the label, the wine must contain at least 85% of the variety. If a wine region is mentioned, 85% of the wine must come from this region. If the vintage appears on the label, 85% of the wine must come from that year. In 2001 the term Geographical Indications was introduced. This defines the boundaries of cultivation zones. The GI (Geographical Indication) is divided as follows: States - major regions (States) - regions - sub-regions.

literature

  • Jan Zimmer: Winegrowing Policy in Germany, The Legislative Process for the 71 Wine Law: Actors, Formation of Will and Consequences. ISBN 978-3-89821-358-5 .
  • Kurt-Dietrich Rathke: Wine law. Wine law, wine regulation with EC / EU law. Comment. 1st edition. Verlag CH Beck, Munich 2012, ISBN 978-3-406-62907-5 .

Web links

Wikisource: Wine Law  - Sources and Full Texts

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ FAZ.net February 19, 2020: Put an end to the fraudulent labeling
  2. ↑ Text of the Royal wine order at Johann Christian Lünig : Teutsches Empire archive where n ... find the same basic laws and regulations , Vol II Friedrich Lanckisch, Leipzig 1713, pp 192-194 (.. Google Books ).
  3. ↑ Klöckner presents draft for new wine law in: Handelsblatt
  4. ^ Tenth law amending the BMEL Wine Act, draft June 12, 2020
  5. ↑ Wine Ordinance at the Systematic Legal Collection of the Federal Government (Switzerland) , admin.ch
  6. ↑ Mining Law. In: German legal dictionary (online, uni-heidelberg.de).