Classification

classification (GB)

classification, classement (F)

clasificación (ES)

classificazione (I)

classificação (PO)

A classification into different quality classes for wine already existed in antiquity; one of the best in quality was the famous Falernian. This refers on the one hand to the product (wine), but also to the wine-growing regions and the producers. It was recognised very early on that, in addition to the work of the winemaker, the soil and the environmental conditions also have a great influence on the quality of the wine. In France in particular, terroir or origin has always been given high priority and defined in the Appellation d'Origine Protégée system of origin. The French classification systems are related to this; see Bordeaux classification and Burgundy classification.

However, official classifications of vineyards and sites were also carried out in Germany as early as the 19th century in Bavaria and Prussia. The best known is the Prussian site classification from 1868 and 1897, which were used as the basis for the VDP classification model adopted in 2006. Within the EU, a new wine market regulation with a uniform, origin-oriented, three-tier quality system for wines became valid for all member states in 2009. Listings of classification systems are included under Grand Cru (wines) and vineyard (sites). A complete listing of all relevant keywords on the subject of wine evaluation can be found under wine tasting.

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Classification

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