Five new German wines will between them be getting a £50,000 marketing boost this year as part of the German Wine Institute's plans to develop UK sales. This is part of a concerted effort to rejuvenate the franchise for the wines in this country. German wines' market share has been falling for some time. They are now outsold by the US and Australia as well as France and Italy. The five wines were chosen through a competition judged by an independent UK panel. This is the second year of the initiative. The result of the competition was announced at the London International Wine and Spirits Fair this week. The winners were GB Riesling Sauvage from Georg Breuer, Franconia from Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg; Fire Mountain Private Reserve Riesling Classic from ZGM, Dr Pauly Riesling Classic from Weingut Dr Pauly-Bergweiler and Langenbach Dry Riesling from Reh Kendermann. The cash is conditional on each winning producer implementing their marketing and development plan for their concept in the UK. This is part of Charter 2005, launched last year which defines a long-term strategy. German Wine Institute director Armin Goring said: "Over the five years we have £300,000 allocated to encourage new contemporary wines for the UK. "This is backed by national advertising, retail promotions and consumer sampling. "Last year's five winners all gained listings and we are confident this year's will have similar success." The £200,000 national ad campaign, encouraging consumers to Drink Again, was also launched at the fair. This will run throughout June and July. The judging panel comprised journalist Charles Metcalfe, Mike Paul of Destination Wine Company, Simon Thorpe MW of Waitrose, Helen Scott of TMDP Marketing, Tim Palmer of The Grocer and Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock Restaurant. {{DRINKS }}

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