Rain Sours Outlook for W. German Wines

This year’s West German wines may have a sour taste because of the rains that are drenching the vineyards and unseasonably cool temperatures, the agriculture minister said Friday.

Experts say the blossoming of the vines is two weeks behind schedule and the rain, cool weather and lack of sunshine are retarding their growth. They are predicting a 20%-25% drop in the yield, and without sun, natural sugar content in grapes also will be down.

“The consumers of 1985 German wines may find them sour,” Agriculture Minister Ignaz Kiechle said.