The production of quality wine is subject to the maximum yield regulation per hectare throughout the EU. This stipulates that only a certain amount of wine may be marketed each year in relation to the cultivated vineyard area. For the Franconia growing region, this maximum quantity is set at 90 hl/ha of vineyard area. For the Württemberg wine-growing region, bayer. Bodensee, this value is set at 110 hl/ha.
Annual harvest quantities that exceed this value on average for a farm are referred to as excess quantities.
If the harvest of a year in a wine-growing enterprise does not exceed this so-called total yield per hectare by more than 20%, this excess quantity may only be overlaid on the enterprise itself.
If the quantity harvested in one year exceeds the total yield per hectare by more than 20%, which in Franconia corresponds to a value of 108 hl/ha, the wine made from this quantity must be distilled by December 15 of the year following the harvest.
Proof of distillation must be provided to the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture by presenting a customs certificate.
The issuance of an official inspection number within the framework of the quality wine inspection is linked to the fact that the company complies with this distillation obligation.
The alcohol produced on the basis of this distillation obligation is to be used exclusively for industrial purposes.