VDP Classification

The knowledge of the best sites and the grape varieties that are best suited to them due to their specific characteristics is the result of centuries of experience by countless winegrowers. The classification of the sites is carried out by the individual VDP regional associations in close consultation with their members. Old site classifications, such as the Prussian site classification from 1868 and 1897, are also used as a reference. The classification of sites and wines in the VDP has a very long history. It began in 1984 with the founding of the Charta Rheingau, which then merged into the VDP Rheingau in 1999. Between 1992 and 1998, classification initiatives were launched in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen wine-growing regions.

The VDP classification model describes the general framework conditions of the federal association. However, these are partly different or more narrowly defined in the individual growing regions. For all wines, the VDP grape eagle guarantees cultivation using organically (ecologically) orientated viticulture, vinification exclusively using traditional methods, regular company audits, sensory quality controls and certain marketing guidelines.

In 1997, the Nahe wine-growing region adopted a Riesling statute, which was later incorporated into the VDP classification model. In July 1998, the VDP created standardised principles for classified wines of German origin of the highest quality as internationally comparable Grands Crus. In 2001, the VDP introduced a three-level model: Level 1 - Grosses Gewächs from the best parts of Erste Lagen (which very often led to confusion due to the contradiction in nomenclature), Level 2 - classified single vineyards from "Erste Lagen", Level 3 - Gutsweine and Ortsweine. This model was valid for 11 years.

Four-level quality pyramid

In January 2012, it was decided to further develop the VDP site classification with a four-level quality pyramid in the following descending order, with this regulation becoming valid from the 2012 vintage:

• VDP.GROSSE LAGE® = Grosses Gewächs
• VDP.Erste Lage® (optional)
• VDP.ORTSWEIN
• VDP.GUTSWEIN

The previous "Erste Lagen", which applied to dry and residual sweet top wines, will be renamed "Grosse Lagen". This removes the contradiction between "Erste Lagen" and "Grosse Gewächsen" and emphasises the equal status of fruit-sweet wines from top vineyards. This merely resolves the confusing nomenclature and does not create a new, higher-quality category. In the new classification, the site can only be named on the label in the top two categories, with the second-highest level being optional. The previously classified sites will be critically reviewed with the aim of only continuing to honour very good sites on the label. This means that all sites that are not sufficiently meaningful in terms of terroir will be removed. The use of sites will be greatly reduced and reserved for wines with site character.

The individual VDP regional associations in the growing regions can then introduce "Erste Lagen" as an additional hierarchical level. Even if this level has the same name as the highest category before, it is not identical to it (especially as it has been renamed), but is subordinate to the new "Grosse Lagen" and includes other sites than these. It was modelled on the quality system in Burgundy with Grands Crus (Great Vineyards) and Premiers Crus (First Vineyards). When implementing the system, the regions must first define their "Grosse Lagen" and then optionally designate "Erste Lagen" if there is inter-company agreement. In this way, each region decides on the three or four tiers of its origins. The option can be realised at a time of one's choosing. Simpler and medium sites are included in the "estate wines" and "local wines" by regional decision.

Each VDP member winery can produce one dry single vineyard from each "Grosse Lage" vineyard it owns and from each authorised grape variety, which is then labelled as a "Grosses Gewächs" with the vineyard name and grape variety. A wine can also be produced from each vineyard and authorised grape variety in the "Erste Lagen" category, but unlike the "Grossen Gewächs", the location must also be named.

The Prädikats (Kabinett to Eiswein) are reserved for residual and noble sweet single vineyards - dry wines from "Grossen Lagen" and "Erste Lagen" cannot carry a Prädikat. The same applies to dry "Ortsweine"; only for "Gutsweine" are predicates permitted in the dry as well as the fruity and noble sweet range, although the connection between "dry" and the predicates from Auslese upwards is prohibited. The indication "dry" is obligatory for appropriately matured wines. The VDP regional associations are responsible for defining specific flavour profiles for all Prädikat wines.

VDP.GROSSE LAGE® - The top of the vineyards

These top vineyard sites or "Grosse Gewächse“ are defined as "the highest quality terroirs, precisely delineated by parcel, in which wines with a very special character mature, reflecting their origin and possessing special ageing potential":

• Site designation obligatory
• No indication of location - the "Grosse Gewächs" speaks for itself, so to speak
• Indication of grape variety obligatory
• dry (< 9 g/l residual sugar): "Grosses Gewächs", indication of predicate prohibited
• Semi-dry (9-18 g/l residual sugar): no indication, "semi-dry" or "feinherb", predicate indication forbidden
• Fruity sweet and noble sweet (> 18 g/l residual sugar): Indication of predicate obligatory
• Maximum yield 50 hl/ha
• Selective manual harvesting mandatory
• Must weight at least at Spätlese level
• Additional control of "quality-orientated work in the vineyard" and sensory testing of the wines
• mandatory marketing for fruit-sweet and noble sweet Prädikat wines not before 1 May of the year following the harvest, for "Grosse Gewächse" not before 1 September of the year following the harvest, for red wines not before 1 September two years after the harvest

VDP.ERSTE LAGE® - First Class

This level is optional - it is not used by all regions. These sites are defined as "first-class vineyards with an independent character, in which optimal growing conditions prevail and wines of sustained high quality have been demonstrably produced over a long period of time":

• Indication of location and place obligatory
• Indication of grape variety obligatory
• Dry (< 9 g/l residual sugar): QbA dry, indication of Prädikat prohibited
• Semi-dry (9-18 g/l residual sugar): no indication, "semi-dry" or "off-dry", indication of predicate forbidden
• Fruity sweet and noble sweet (> 18 g/l residual sugar): Indication of predicate obligatory
• Regional specifications for authorised grape varieties suitable for the vineyard
• Maximum yield 60 hl/ha
• Selective manual harvesting mandatory
• Must weight at least at Spätlese level
• additional control of "quality-orientated work in the vineyard" and sensory testing of the wines required
• prescribed marketing of the wines not before the date of the VDP Wine Exchange (usually end of April), from the 2015 vintage not before 1 May of the following year's harvest

VDP.ORTSWEIN - ambassador of the best soils

Originates from "high-quality, characterful and traditional" vineyards within a village that are planted with grape varieties typical of the region:

• Site designation prohibited
• Indication of place obligatory
• Indication of grape variety mandatory
• Dry (< 9 g/l residual sugar): "QbA dry", indication of predicate prohibited
• Semi-dry (9-18 g/l residual sugar): no indication, "semi-dry" or "feinherb", predicate forbidden
• fruit sweet and noble sweet (> 18 g/l residual sugar), predicate optional
• Maximum yield 75 hl/ha
• Manual harvest required from Prädikat level Auslese
• Soil type can be indicated on the label for so-called terroir wines
• Recommended marketing not before 1 March of the following year's harvest

VDP.GUTSWEIN - Good from the ground up

Originates from vineyards owned by the winery, where at least 80% of the grape varieties recommended by the respective regional association and typical for the region are cultivated. Is defined as "basic wines at a high level":

• Indication of vineyard forbidden
• Indication of place forbidden
• Indication of region obligatory
• Indication of grape variety mandatory
• Dry (< 9 g/l residual sugar): "QbA dry", predicate indication "Kabinett" or "Spätlese" optional
• Semi-dry (9-18 g/l residual sugar): no indication, "semi-dry" or "feinherb", predicate indication optional
• fruity sweet and noble sweet (> 18 g/l residual sugar): Predicate optional
• Maximum yield 75 hl/ha
• Manual harvest required from Prädikat level Auslese

Grape varieties

The growing regions can determine the grape varieties themselves. Those for the Grosse Lage are listed first, followed by those for "Erste Lagen" (not used = these growing regions do not utilise the Erste Lage option):

• Ahr: Pinot Noir, Frühburgunder, Riesling only noble sweet, Spätburgunder (no application)
• Baden: Riesling Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Lemberger only in the two areas Badische Bergstraße and Kraichgau (Auxerrois, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Rieslaner only sweet, Sauvignon Blanc, Scheurebe, Silvaner, Schwarzriesling)
• Franconia: Riesling, Silvaner, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc (Frühburgunder, Pinot Gris, Rieslaner, Scheurebe, Traminer, additionally on request: Chardonnay, Lemberger, Müller-Thurgau, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc)
• Hessische Bergstrasse: Riesling Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc (like Grosse Lage)
• Middle Rhine: Riesling, Pinot Noir (no application)
• Moselle: Riesling (no application)
• Nahe: Riesling (no application)
• Palatinate: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer only sweet, Muscat, Scheurebe)
• Rheingau: Riesling, Pinot Noir (like Grosse Lage)
• Rheinhessen: Riesling, Pinot Noir (no application)
• Saale-Unstrut: Frühburgunder, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Silvaner, Spätburgunder, Traminer, Weißburgunder (Blauer Zweigelt)
• Saxony: Frühburgunder, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Traminer, Pinot Blanc (like Grosse Lage)
• Württemberg: Pinot Gris, Lemberger, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc (Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Muscat Trollinger, Samtrot, Sauvignon Blanc, Black Riesling, Silvaner, Trollinger)

Further information

All European classification systems are described under Grand Cru; the EU-wide classification system is described under Quality System. For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues). All work and aids in the vineyard during the vegetation cycle are listed under vineyard care.

Source: Website of the VDP (Verband deutscher Präsikatsweingüter)
Ed. Collaboration: Carsten M. Stammen; Freelance specialised journalist and copywriter; www.vinolog.de
Images: © VDP.Die Prädikatsweingüter