Revolution in viticulture: Men are now allowed to choose German Wein Majesty!

Revolution in viticulture: Men are now allowed to choose German Wein Majesty!

The choice of the German wine queen is experiencing a fundamental change this year. After almost 80 years, the competition will be referred to gender neutral as the "election of the German Wein Majesty". This significant changeover means that the choice is no longer reserved for women, but are now also welcome male applicants. Radio Ennepe Ruhr reports that two male candidates will be entered in the competition for the first time in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Levin McKenzie will compete for Rheinhessen, while Felix Grün represents the Middle Rhine. In a possible victory, the title “German Wine King” is awarded, and the winner receives an official chain instead of a traditional crown.

The German wine queen, which has existed since 1949, has developed into an important ambassador for the wine industry over the years. This position is currently filled by Charlotte Weihl, a 25-year-old winemaker from the Palatinate. In her role, she represents more than 14,000 winegrowers from all over the country. During the election, representatives of the 13 German wine -growing areas compete against each other, with considerable knowledge of wine in demand.

competitive structure and requirements

With a blind tasting of wine types and exciting, wine -related games, the participants have to demonstrate their specialist knowledge and quick -wittedness. The vote takes place by a jury sitting in the hall building of Neustadt, as well as the audience present. The choice is traditionally very popular, so that around a thousand fans were present at the last event, the preliminary decision for the election of the 76th German wine queen. German wine queen emphasized that this event is a proven part of the wine annual calendar.

To make the event even more exciting, an impressive line-up was also invited to moderators and experts. Holger Wienpahl, SWR moderator, chairman of the Sommelier-Union Germany, Yvonne Heistermann, and Markus del Monego, the first German sommelier world champion, were present to share their impressions. Eva Brockmann, the reigning German wine queen, also provided valuable perspectives on the challenges and joys of her term.

wine culture as an intangible inheritance

The change in the choice of the wine queen is part of a greater movement for recognition and care of wine culture in Germany. In October 2019, an application from the German Wine Academy (DWA) was submitted to the secretariat for the world heritage in Rhineland-Palatinate. This application aims to preserve the wine culture - including its social, manual and cultural landscape aspects - as an intangible cultural heritage. The expert committee has recognized wine culture as a lively and versatile traditional care. According to vine and wine significantly shapes the life of the people in the growing regions and has an identity Effect.

Monika Reule, Managing Director of the DWA, expressed her joy about the opportunities that this offers for the protection of wine culture, and thanked everyone who actively contributes to the design of the cultural heritage. By inclusion in the nationwide list of intangible cultural heritage, awareness of the preservation of the cultural asset of wine is to be raised.