*Through research for factors such as soil texture, sun exposure and available water supply, Rheingau vineyard sites are analyued. Only the special and best sites or parts of single sites are classified by the name “VDP.Grosse Lage” and "VDP.Erste LAGE".
To meet these quality designations, by specific vineyard factors in addition to strictly reduced yields requirements, the wines have to pass a sensory test by a professional jury.
The refined VDP.CLASSIFICATION is not part of the official German wine law but rather an in-house statute of Gemany’s Prädikat wine estates (VDP) in which the quality of a wine is defined according to “terroir,” i.e., origin and quality are inherently linked. Wineries must follow specific standards shich are morge strringent than the official German wine law. Although the classification is only binding for VDP member estates, it is seminal for quality-oriented German viticulture as a whole.
The goal of the VDP.CLASSIFICATION is to assess the quality potential of Germany’s very best vineyard sites; secure the future of Germany’s unique viticultural landscape; restore esteem for Germany’s outstanding dry wines; and underscore the traditional connotation of the Prädikats as attributes reserved for wines with natural, ripe sweetness.
The refined, four-tier VDP.CLASSIFICATION is the key to terroir-driven viticulture in Germany in used to classify our wines.
VDP-GROSSE LAGE - The peak of the vineyards
VDP.GROSSE LAGE designates the very best vineyards of Germany, within which the finest parcels have been narrowly demarcated. With their site-specific characteristics, these wines are particularly expressive and have exceptional aging potential. They are planted with traditional varieties best suited to a particular site, as determined by each region.
Grape Varieties
Riesling and Pinot Noir
Maximum Yields
Reduced yields of 50/hl/ha
Harvest method and ripeness level
Grapes are harvested selectively, by hand. The harvest fruit must be physiologically fully ripe.
Vinification
The wines are produced exclusively by traditional winemaking techniques.
Certification
In addition to regular VDP estate inspections, VDP.GROSSE LAGE© wines are subject to additional examinations. Quality-oriented measures in the vineyard, particularly those affecting yields, are monitored in every site throughout the growing season and before the harvest. Prior to and after bottling, the wines are critically tasted and evaluated to determine whether they meet VDP.GROSSE LAGE© criteria.
Identification marks
A dry wine from a VDP.GROSSE LAGE© is designated VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS© and is bottled in a special bottle embossed with the “GG” logo. The use of the adjective trocken is mandatory. Off-dry wines need no additional terminology – the use of the adjective halbtrocken is optional. The same applies to the adjective feinherb.
VDP.GROSSE LAGE© wines with residual sweetness are labeled with one of the traditional Prädikats (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein or Trockenbeerenauslese), provided they qualify for a specific Prädikat.
The name of the site (without the name of the village) is the appellation of origin of a VDP.GROSSE LAGE© wine. It is indicated on the label along with the name of the wine estate and the grape variety. The use of a strip on the capsule to identify a VDP.GROSSE LAGE© wine is mandatory.
As an exception, the GG logo can be printed on the front label in place of using the embossed bottle.
Marketing
VDP.GROSSE LAGE© Prädikat wines with residual sweetness make their market debut on 1 May of the year after the grapes were harvested.
VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHSE© white wines, on 1 September of the year after the grapes were harvested; red wines, on 1 September two years after the grapes were harvested, after having spent at least 12 months aging in oak casks.
