The German wine region of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer has officially changed its name to Mosel in a bid to become more consumer friendly.

The new name became official on 1 August and will apply to all wines starting with the 2007 vintage.

As reported on decanter.com last year, the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer growers’ organisation won approval on 9 August 2006 for the name change to go ahead. It is now official.

The move follows several years of lobbying by the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer growers organisation – now Moselwein – who felt the longer name was too complicated and led consumers to believe the wine was a three-region blend.

Also with effect from 1 August, the designation Qualitatswein mit Pradikat has been simplified to Prädikatswein. The term designates the level of ripeness, of which there are six from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese, based on the natural sugar level in the grapes at the time of harvest.

Written by Maggie Rosen

Maggie Rosen
Maggie Rosen
Decanter Magazine, Wine Writer & Editor

Maggie Rosen is a wine journalist, editor and author, hailing from New York but based in London. Aside from Decanter, she has contributed to the Financial Times, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine and Spirit Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, The World of Fine Wine and Meininger's Wine Business International. She is also a member of the Circle of Wine Writers.