Storms, torrential rain and heavy rain bring the German winemakers – especially in the southwest – in Existenznot. In Rhineland-Palatinate, for example, the rainfall of an entire year fell in the first half of 2016th For growers a disaster, because the wet summer leads to increased fungal infection of the vines and threatened the harvest. For weeks, therefore the vintners fighting in the wine producing regions already against attack of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), to save her wine.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the state with the largest wine-growing area, the crop failure is so far estimated at approximately 20 percent; in individual layers even threatening a total failure. In particular, the 1300 Eco-wineries in the country have problems: The specific provisions for organic wine producers limit the selection and use of chemical pesticides. The use of copper, the most important crop protection active ingredient in organic farming, is reaching its limits. Copper is washed off by the rain again from the vine and does not penetrate, such as systemic pesticides into the plant itself. Therefore, the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate has now launched a large scale project with the active ingredient potassium phosphonate on the State Winery Bad Kreuznach, the organic winegrowers can join.

As the wine quality of the vintage 2016 will ultimately be, now depends on the weather the next few weeks. In the 13 German wine-growing regions, there are about 102,500 hectares of vineyards and approximately 43.3000 wine producers The largest German wine-growing area is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, with approximately 64,000 hectares, followed by Baden-Württemberg with around 27,000 hectares (details Federal Statistical Office 2015).