I can't help but wonder if German apathy has more to do with the nation's status as the worldwide capital of die Brau trumping any interest in die Wein.

If beer relied as heavily on terroir as did wine, and if the bridge were headed through country that grew particularly nice barley or hops or something, the German government would be stopping the very thought of it faster than you could say "Oktoberfest".

Contrast the French response mentioned in the article.

As a german I have to tell you that we are quite proud of our wine. In wine regions, wine actually replaces beer as the german's favourite drink. Wine-loving wise, there's no difference to french wine regions.

As mentioned in the article, these plans are quite old. Near Zeltingen for example, you can still see were they cut an aisle through the forest 20 years ago, before strong opposition stopped the project.

So, I wouldn't bet on this bridge ever being build.

Rumo:

As a german I have to tell you that we are quite proud of our wine. In wine regions, wine actually replaces beer as the german's favourite drink. Wine-loving wise, there's no difference to french wine regions.

As mentioned in the article, these plans are quite old. Near Zeltingen for example, you can still see were they cut an aisle through the forest 20 years ago, before strong opposition stopped the project.

So, I wouldn't bet on this bridge ever being build.

I think Americans associate Germany with it's beers because of the famous Reinheitsgebot. Germany's wine reigions produce many great white wines however many are too dry for American palates.

I fail to see how a highway going through German Wine Country could do anything but improve the reigion by providing avenues for tourism, trade and cultural exchange. I think carbon emmissions are overstated as a factor in anything much less wine making.

I fail to see how hoards of drivers and tourists improve a beautiful region. It is not inaccessible now. It's beauty lies in the way it looks now. It's wealth comes from wines. The region is not exactly remote, you know. It really doesn't need "improvement."

Think of what happens when we run highways to airports here. Everyone wants to live near the corridor. It would be a tragedy to lose this beautiful Mosel wine country and its wines.

Adrasteia:

I fail to see how hoards of drivers and tourists improve a beautiful region. It is not inaccessible now. It's beauty lies in the way it looks now. It's wealth comes from wines. The region is not exactly remote, you know. It really doesn't need "improvement."

Think of what happens when we run highways to airports here. Everyone wants to live near the corridor. It would be a tragedy to lose this beautiful Mosel wine country and its wines.

Sad....I thought Germans could still privately own land. BTW that Airport is access for the reigion to sell its wein world wide. God knows the french won't buy it (they like theirs) same for the Italians.

I don't take your point. Germans can own land and they can petition the government not to take it for a road.

The Mosel region sells a lot of wine worldwide now. American love it. It's access is adequate. If the wine losses its character, if people move in a build subdivisions where vinyards were, what is the good of airport access.

Actually, I lived in Italy and they love German wine and beer.

Adrasteia:

I don't take your point. Germans can own land and they can petition the government not to take it for a road.

The Mosel region sells a lot of wine worldwide now. American love it. It's access is adequate. If the wine losses its character, if people move in a build subdivisions where vinyards were, what is the good of airport access.

Actually, I lived in Italy and they love German wine and beer.

I was under the impression the government had acquired the land to do this some 20 years ago and that was not an issue. I just dont see how a road is going to change the quality of the wine. As far as subdivision are concerned they would only be built on land sold for that purpose the people who own the land have a right to do with it as they please.

I enjoy German Wines and Beer however most Americans find German wines too dry. I prefer Texas Wines over any other most wine I drink comes from the Messina Hof winery in College Station, TX or the Llano Estacado Winery in the Texas Hill country. Our roads and interstate highways do not affect wine quality whatsoever. Of course the Guadelupe River, Rio Brazos and Trinity River don't have the severe pollution experienced on the Rhine and mosel since none are used for industrial barge traffic.