New trend in Neustadt: For the first time, men are involved in choosing wine!

New trend in Neustadt: For the first time, men are involved in choosing wine!

The election of the German Wine Queen, who has been promoting the wine scene since 1949, is facing a fundamental change. After almost 80 years, this year it will be held gender-neutrally for the first time and will have the new title “Election of the German Wine Majesty”. This important decision was confirmed by the German Wine Institute in Bodenheim and provides a breath of fresh air in the competition. On Saturday, a week before the grand finale in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, male applicants will also compete for the first time. In addition to ten female participants, two men will get into the ring.

A total of twelve candidates from different wine-growing regions in Germany have come together to demonstrate their wine expertise. Both women and men candidates must impressively present their knowledge of wine and its handling. To determine the five finalists, a jury of around 70 people evaluates the performances of the participants, who also have to prove their skills in blind tastings. The coveted titles are either “German Wine Queen” for a woman or “German Wine King” for a man.

At a glance: The candidates

• Zoé Keller de Almeida Soliz (Nahe)
• Felix Grün (Mittelrhein)
• Antonia Kraiß (Franken)
• Levin McKenzie (Rheinhessen)
• Emma Meinhardt (Saale-Unstrut)
• Lena Orth (Rheingau)
• Katja Simon (Hessische Bergstraße)
• Annabell Stodden (Ahr)
• Denise Stripf (Pfalz)
• Kim Weißflog (Württemberg)
• Lucia Winterhalter (Baden)
• Anna Zenz (Mosel)

The two male candidates, Felix Grün from the Middle Rhine and Levin McKenzie from Rheinhessen, are particularly excited about the final on September 26th. The winner will represent the German wine industry for a whole year and has the opportunity to win a chain of office in the election for Wine Queen or Wine King. During the election, both the jury and the audience have the opportunity to cast their votes to choose the best performance.

The reform of the election, which has been tried and tested for decades, represents a bold step into the future. By including male applicants, the prestigious office is opening up to more diversity and attention to talent. “It will be an exciting event,” says the reigning German wine queen Charlotte Weihl about the upcoming competition, which will bring a breath of fresh air into the wine majesty.

The changes not only show the changes in society, but also how the wine industry is reflecting its times. The “Choice of the German Wine Majesty” competition attracts not only wine fans with fresh enthusiasm and a new concept, but also many who are curious about the new faces of viticulture. A Christmas that takes the leap into modernity!

For more information about the election and the candidates, visit TV Mittelrhein, SWR and Spiegel.