Through analysis of the information available on manganese, the authors of the paper, V. D. Gómez-Miguel and V. Sotés, President of the OIV "Viticulture" Commission, provide a solid grounding on the issue of manganese in viticulture.

This work was presented during the OIV meetings in April 2014 as part of the consultation with the OIV Member States regarding the manganese content in soils, clusters, musts and wines; the impact of soils on the manganese migration to the plant; the impact of vinification techniques on manganese levels in wines; and additional information on the toxicity of manganese.

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The 16 participants of 8 different nationalities in this year's class will meet more than 500 wine sector professionals in 24 producer and/or consumer countries across 5 continents.

On this occasion, the Director General of the OIV, Jean-Marie Aurand, emphasised the importance of the network created over 25 years ago by this training programme, both with regard to the graduates and universities as well as the companies involved in this unique approach. He also reminded those present of the relevance of this international training programme in relation to the increased globalisation of wine markets.

More information on the OIV MSc in Wine Management: www.oivmsc.org/en/.

“OIV recommendations [are explicitly compared] to rules of EU law as regards the methods of analysis for determining the composition of products of the wine sector, the special requirements applicable, in terms of oenological practices, to imports of wine originating from third countries, and the purity and identification specifications of substances used in such practices.” (§61)

“the recommendations (…) which (…) relate to new oenological practices, methods of analysis for determining the composition of products of the wine sector, or purity and identification specifications of substances used in oenological practices, are capable of decisively influencing the content of the legislation adopted by the EU legislature in the area of the common organisation of the wine markets.” (§63)

“such recommendations, in particular by reason of their incorporation into EU law (…) have legal effects in that area for the purposes of Article 218(9) TFEU and that the European Union, while not a party to the OIV Agreement, is entitled to establish a position to be adopted on its behalf with regard to those recommendations, in view of their direct impact on the European Union’s acquis in that area.” (§64).

One of the winners for the year 2014 was Mr Olivier Serra, whose history of law thesis on "Legislators and the vitivinicultural market under the French Third Republic" won him the Grand Prix. The Academy also gave a Prix d'initiative award to the Wine Mosaic organisation for their project, which protects and promotes little-known vine varieties. Mr Jean-Marie Aurand, Director General of the OIV, who was present at this ceremony, congratulated the award winners and highlighted the Amorim Academy's actions in favour of scientific research as well as the Academy's role as an observer of the OIV.

On this occasion, Jean-Marie Aurand met the National Director of the Agriculture and Livestock Department, Mr Angel Sartori, in the presence of the Head of the Sub-department of Vitiviniculture, Food Safety and Biotechnology, Ms Alejandra Aburto Prieto, the OIV delegate, Mr Joaquín Almarza Serrano, and the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Protection, Mr Rodrigo Astete Rocha.

During this meeting, the National Director of the Agriculture and Livestock Department recalled that Chile had been a member of the OIV for more than 60 years. He also stressed the importance that his country, as a major player in the global market, attaches to the activities of the OIV and confirmed its full support of the Organisation.

Jean-Marie Aurand expressed his desire for Chile to further strengthen its presence within the OIV by bringing together experts to participate in various work projects.

While he was over there, several meetings were also organised with companies in the Chilean vitivinicultural sector, which resulted in a number of discussions about the world wine market, its developments and prospects.