New legislation passed in Germany is expected to result in the generation of first-class wine names, as winemakers will be able to state more specifically on labels the plots (or plot) within single vineyards which were used in a wine's production.
The regulation, which was passed by the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz, is of use to single vineyards if they are recorded in the land registry of the region.
It is regarded by viticultural commentators as the most significant change in German wine law since 1971.
The new regulations also necessitate a higher must weight (from which the potential alcohol level of the finished wine is determined, which is then used as the basis for quality-classification) from single vineyard appellations. This also applies to particular sites which produce Riesling, perhaps the most famous grape variety, and Spätburgunder.
The legislation applies to wines grown in Mosel-Saar, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Nahe, Ahr and Mitterlrhein.
