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Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter. Background

The Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, (VDP), is a national German association of producers committed to top quality production. Founded in 1910 as the Verband Deutscher Naturweinversteigerer, the organization originally promoted unchaptalized “natur” . The 1971 abolished the use of the term “nature” and created the category of QbA, for which is legal, the organization re-wrote its constitution to promote superior standards while respecting new labelling laws, and also changed its name to the VDP.

In 1984, a separate organization called Charta was formed to promote the classic, dry style of from the . Charta wines, distinguished by a logo of three Roman arches represented the first major attempt by producers to validate dry wines within a system that only rewards . Charta was assimilated into the Rheingau branch of the VDP in 1999, but the logo is still used on labels.

Today, the VDP has more than 200 of ’s finest estates as members, and promotes their wines through a new, three-tier hierarchy and a more restrictive classification of einzellagen than the government provides.

At the top of the new VDP quality model are the Grosses Gewächs wines.(GG) which are dry wines from a Grosse Lage site (Erste Gewächs in Rheingau where it is a legal term and part of the wine law). Traditional Prädikat level sweet wines will still be produced on these sites but are not part of the VDP classification

Grosse Gewächs wines are the product of hand-harvested single with a maximum of 50 hl/ha. The required minimum weight is equivalent to Spätlese; thus, wines harvested at ripeness are not eligible for the classification. Grosses Gewächs wines are legally considered , and may not contain more than 9 g/l of residual sugar.

Grape varieties approved for Grosse Gewächs wines vary according to each anbaugebiet, but there is a clear emphasis on Riesling (55% of VDP estate vineyards are planted to the .) White wines may not be released before September 1 of the year following the ; Red wines receive an additional year of aging. The einzellage must be listed on the label, and the site must be approved by the VDP. While a site may be recognized by both the Law and the VDP, the VDP’s demarcation is often much narrower, representing a return to vineyard boundaries prior to 1971. The VDP considers Grosse Lage sites to be the Grand Crus of Germany, and the list continues to develop as new members are added to the association.

Estate-bottling is mandatory. The VDP is not yet sanctioned by German law, and its classification scheme is essentially a voluntary one for members. Member estates must be careful to respect legal label language, and terms such as “Grosses Gewächs” do not actually appear on the label “GG” is used in its place.

In addition to the Erste Lage logo, capsules on all member estates’ bottles must show the VDP logo: (a stylized eagle clasping a cluster of )

GRAPE VARIETIES The Grosse Gewächs wines bearing the Erste Lage Logo are produced exclusively from the following grape varieties:

Ahr: Spätburgunder, Frühburgunder, Riesling (only natural sweetness) : Riesling, Weisser Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Spätburgunder Franken: Riesling, , Weisser Burgunder, Spätburgunder Pfalz: Riesling, Weisser Burgunder, Spätburgunder Rheingau: Riesling, Spätburgunder Hessische Bergstraße: Riesling, Weißer Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Spätburgunder Rheinhessen: Riesling, Spätburgunder Mittelrhein: Riesling --: Riesling : Riesling Sachsen: Riesling, Weisser Burgunder, Spätburgunder -Unstrut: Riesling, Silvaner, Weisser Burgunder, Spätburgunder Württemberg: Riesling, Weißer Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Spätburgunder, Lemberger

Erste Gewächs wines are wines from an Erste Lage site. Regional VDP associations will be responsible to define Grosse / Erste lage sites The use of this term is not a mandatory requirement and regional associations will decide on its use (if at all)

2 Klassifizierte Lagenweine / Ortsweine / Terroirwein

Klassifizierte Lagenweine are wines from classified sites. Classified sites for the second tier are totally distinct from the authorized Grand sites for Grosse Lage. Yields for these wines rise to 65 hl/ha, and minimum and approved grape are determined by region.

Ortsweine are wines from specific regions or villages—but not grosslagen or bereiche, as the VDP has forbidden the use of these terms from member estates’ labels.

No restrictions on the taste profile (may be dry or sweet)

3 Gutswein. These wines are designed to reflect an estate’s basic house style, and are comprised of traditional grapes from the each region. Grapes destined for Gutsweine are permitted a maximum yield of 75 hl/ha. and have a higher must weight than that prescribed by law May be labelled with a proprietary name and /or the name of a village or region

At least 80% of an estates holdings must be planted with grape varietals typical of the region

Classic & Selection

The VDP is not the only organization that has attempted to improve on aspects of the 1971 German Wine Law The state-affiliated German Wine Institute at created its own simplified hierarchy for drier styles of wine, with the 2000 . The terms “Classic” and “Selection” were intended to replace “Halbtrocken” and “Trocken”, respectively.

Classic wines are considered “harmoniously dry”, with a maximum residual sugar content of 15 g/l, “Classic” wines are single wines and omit any mention of a vineyard on the label. They must have a minimum content of 12% (11.5% in the Mosel).

Selection wines are “superior dry” with a maximum residual sugar content of 9 g/l (12 g/l allowed for Riesling). Selection wines are single vineyard wines from a single variety. Yields are restricted to 60 hl/ha. Must weight for Selection wines must be equivalent to , and vineyards are hand-harvested. The wines may not be released prior to September 1 of the year following harvest.

“Classic” and “Selection” are legally recognized terms and may be used by producers in any anbaugebiet that meet the requirements.

See also: http://www.vdp.de/en/classification/ http://www.germanwinesociety.org/