Designation for the dry wines of the highest level in the VDP classification model. The spelling with "ss" instead of "ß" is done intentionally with regard to international marketing. It applies to all growing regions with the exception of the Rheingau - here these are named Erstes Gewächs. The Rheingau VDP members are an exception; since the 2013 vintage, they are now also allowed to call their dry top wines from the "VDP.GROSSEN LAGEN®" "VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®".
The designation "Großes Gewächs" (but here with "ß") is also used in the Bernkasteler Ring association, but has no connection with the VDP classification. See also other classification systems under Grand Cru.
Logo: VDP
Bottle: By BBCLCD - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi