*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.ERSTE LAGE designates first-class vineyards with distinctive characteristics. They provide optimal growing conditions, as evidenced over a long period of time. They are planted with traditional varieties, as determined by each region.
Grape Varieties
Traditional varieties that are best suited to a particular site or parcel, as prescribed by each region. For additional details, please see the regional list of permissible grape varieties at the end of this section. (1).
Maximum Yields
Reduced yields of 60/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, quality-oriented measures in the vineyard are monitored in every site in which grapes for VDP.ERSTE LAGE© are grown. Before receiving VDP.ERSTE LAGE© status, the wines are critically tasted, evaluated, and examined for compliance with regional guidelines.
Identification marks
A dry wine from a VDP.ERSTE LAGE© is labeled Qualitätswein trocken and does not bear a Prädikat. ***
A wine that legally qualifies as an off-dry Qualitätswein needs no additional terminology – the use of the adjective halbtrocken is optional. The same applies to the adjective feinherb.
VDP.ERSTE 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.
A combination of the name of the village and site is the appellation of origin of a VDP.ERSTE 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.ERSTE LAGE© wine is mandatory.
Marketing
VDP.ERSTE LAGE wines make their market debut at the annual Mainzer Weinbörse trade fair at the end of April, in the year after which the grapes were harvested.
VDP-GROSSE LAGE - The peak of the vineyards
