"MUNDUSvini" in connection with wine policy

Date:

27.08.10

Location:

Neustadt an der Weinstraße

Speaker:

Parliamentary State Secretary Julia Klöckner

Parliamentary Secretary Julia Klöckner welcomes wine experts, Source: MUNDUSvini, Ralf Ziegler

Check against delivery!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I think that that is an appropriate greeting for wine experts who, at 8 in the morning, are already able to give an objective assessment of wine.

It is nice to see that this kind of person apparently exists almost all over the world. At least in Africa, North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and, last but not least, in Europe.

All that is missing are tasters from the Antarctic. But don’t worry. That does not represent an infringement of the strict regulations of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.

The jury must be international and geographically diverse in its composition. However, this thankfully doesn’t imply that the jury has to consist of representatives from all continents.

As Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, my duties include dealing intensively with issues of wine-growing policy.

I am therefore particularly delighted to be able to welcome you, as wine experts, to the opening of the tasting session for MUNDUS vini and get you in the mood for the task ahead of you.

“Mundus Vini” has an impressive history. In short: it’s a success story.

Since the event was first held in 2001, the number of wines on display has risen to over 6.000 this year. There can therefore be no doubt that your expertise is in demand.

Tasting Room of the international wine competition MUNDUSvini, Source: MUNDUSvini, Ralf Ziegler

Allow me to say a few words to show how the status of your expertise has changed since this wine competition was first held:

The European Union has a dense body of regulations governing the wine-growing process, from cultivating the grapes and making the wine to the labelling of the wines. These regulations are known as the EU Common Market Organisation for Wine.

In 2001, the first year that MUNDUS vini was held, the EU Common Market Organisation for Wine still stipulated that an award could only be mentioned on a wine label if the award had been won at an officially recognised wine competition. Official recognition could be granted by an agency within or from outside the EU. The crucial aspect was the official recognition. MUNDUS vini was given official recognition in 2003.

The EU Common Market Organisation for Wine was reformed in 2007. Following this reform, it was no longer necessary for wine competitions to be officially recognised. As a result, this means that basically anyone can now advertise using any award.

You will no doubt agree with me that in an environment such as this, awards will only prosper if they are associated with providing an honest and meaningful assessment of quality.

As having a good assessment of quality is what is wanted by a wide range of groups, for instance customers when they buy an "award-winning" wine;
traders, when they ask their suppliers to enter their wines in a competition;

and wine producers as well, who, although they obviously hope that all their wines will win an award, ultimately want there to be an objective assessment of the quality of their product.

The OIV standard regarding international competitions for wine and spirits of vitivinicultural origin provides a globally coordinated framework and a series of instructions on conducting international wine competitions. The existence of, and compliance with, such standards is indispensable to assess the quality of wine internationally.

You, esteemed experts, are conducting one of these quality assessment sessions today. You as a panel decide whether to grant an award or not.

The MUNDUS vini jury has proved its worth. This is already evident from the fact that approximately 1.300 competitors trust your expertise. I am certain that you will make an excellent selection this year as well.

I would like to thank you for your attention and wish you every success and of course enjoyment in your work.