The "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ökologischer Landbau e.V." was founded in Germany in 1988. At the time of its largest size, with 9 associations, 7,800 farms and 415,000 hectares of land, this was 80% of organic/organic farming. The guidelines were species-appropriate animal husbandry, the renunciation of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, rejection of genetic engineering and careful use of water, air, soil and energy:
The association got into increasing difficulties due to internal disputes regarding guidelines. After the two largest members, DEMETER and Bioland, left in 2001, AGÖL was dissolved one year later. The successor organisation is BÖLW (Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft). See also organic viticulture and organic wine.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena