Wines from the VDP

The VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter) is an association of 200 top German vintners. It has established its own quality level classification for VDP vintners, which is based on different criteria than the legal classification for German wines. It is very similar to the Burgundy classification, taking into consideration the quality of a vineyard and its terroir as well as yields (and puts less emphasis on sugar levels than the Prädikatswein-classification does).

VDP.GROSSE LAGE ® THE PEAK OF THE PYRAMID

VDP.GROSSE LAGE designates the very best vineyards of Germany, within which the finest parcels have been narrowly demarcated. The wines produced from grapes grown on these sites have tremendous aging potential. These vineyards are planted exclusively with the very finest grape varieties that are ideally suited to the site’s soils. Subject to the most stringent production criteria (max. 50 hl / ha), these wines form the peak of the VDP’s classification pyramid.

VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS (GG) designates a dry wine from a VDP.GROSSE LAGE®.

VDP.ERSTE LAGE ® - FIRST CLASS

VDP.ERSTE LAGE designates first-class vineyards with an autonomous profile. They provide optimal growing conditions and are planted with grape varieties that are ideally suited to the site’s soils. Yields are greatly reduced to foster higher quality (max. 60 hl / ha). It has been well documented that wines of exceptional quality are produced from grapes grown in VDP.ERSTE LAGEN.

VDP.ORTSWEIN - SOURCED FROM SUPERIOR SOILS

VDP.ORTSWEINE originate from a village’s best vineyards. They are the ambassadors of its respective terroir. Grape varieties typical of the region and low yields (max. 75 hl / ha) are prerequisites for these wines. VDP.ORTSWEINE are the link between VDP.GUTSWEINE and the wines in the very good and very best categories. In the regions that do without the VDP.ERSTE LAGE category, VDP.ORTSWEINE are of particular importance.

VDP.GUTSWEIN - GOOD FROM THE GROUND UP

VDP.GUTSWEINE are entry-level wines in the VDP’s hierarchy that links wine quality with origin. They are the calling card of a wine-grower. The wines originate from an estate’s holdings and meet the stringent standards prescribed by the VDP (the maximum yields are 75 hl / ha).