VDP classification

VDP-Klassifikation

The classification of documents and wines by the VDP has a long history. The beginning was in 1984 with the founding charters Rheingau region , which then rose in 1999 VDP Rheingau. In the years 1992 to 1998 were carried out in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen classification initiatives. The Strasbourg Manifesto on the occasion of the summit of top European vineyards in the Grand Crus de Bordeaux, the two associations and VDP has a claim on the policy regarding positioned to influence the legal name. From the cultivation area was close to 1997 Riesling statute decided. In 1998, the "Comité First Growth" from the Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pfalz was founded. In July 1998, the VDP defines common principles for classified growths of German origin. This should be recognizable in the long term high quality wines with solid programmatic wine as an internationally comparable Grand Cru create. In addition to the general criteria the VDP minimum membership requirements have been defined. The Land of Hesse in 1999, the Quality Mark Regulation "First Growth" was adopted. In July 2001, the VDP is a three-stage model was presented that the best parts of the Bordeaux Classification and classification Burgundy combined. Large plants are level 1 / Getting the best parts of plants (plots) of the classified documents, Level 2 and Level 3 classified vineyard wines are estate wines and local wines.

In June 2002, finally agreed that all regional organizations in a consistent producer VDP guidelines. It was a nationally adopted valid quality rules. The core issue was the definition of the term "large plant" as a dry wine. The sweet wines are treated as such, but are named with the traditional predicate names. That same year, joined nine of the 13 regions, the classification (separation) from their positions and presented at the premiere of the Great plants in Berlin the first year. In March 2003 the Council of Regional Association VDP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (Mosel today) "Comité first position" regional implementing provisions of the three-stage model. In the first classification model able clear definitions of the predicates of taste were determined. The region Ahr adapted as the final classification statute to produce Large growths. The lengthy process was finally completed in June 2006 are provisional. The VDP presented at the General Assembly the so-called "Agenda 2015".

The VDP classification is based on a private law statute of premium wine estates in Germany (the VDP has no legislative function). The aim is to restitute the value of the best locations in Germany, to ensure the preservation of a unique cultural landscape, the importance of great dry wines from Germany to recover and the importance of the traditional fruit-sweet premium wine emphasized. The classification model describes the framework of the Association of VDP. These conditions vary in different regions or production areas sometimes narrower. With all the wines VDP Grape eagle on the capsule guarantees Organic Viticulture quality control as well as certain marketing guidelines. The terms "first position" and "Big Greenhouse" are proprietary marks of the VDP.

FIRST LOCATION - LARGE GREENHOUSE / FIRST GREENHOUSE
The common generic term in all growing areas for all the wines of the highest category is called "VDP Erste Lage". Characteristic of this stage is registered for the association logo "1 with grapes," which appears after each name on the label position (and is sometimes also stamped on the bottle). But it must be conceptually distinguished between "classified documents" and "first principles". The quality of a vineyard is defined by the bottom (topography, climate and microclimate). The knowledge of the best locations and the matching species (see below) resulted from centuries of experience. The classification of documents is done by the VDP regional associations in close consultation with its members. As a reference, were also old situation assessments such as the Prussian position classification used from 1868 / 1897th In the classified documents, where appropriate, specifically defined "fillets" (plots) are defined, which have particularly optimal growth conditions. For these were produced wines with proven long term sustained high production. Often, the old are Won (Sublagen). There is also Classified documents without defined first-layer sections, these correspond to the level two.

Documents, which are among the top category are no longer used in the second classification stage in the classified vineyard wines (position consumption). In order to facilitate the introduction of a transitional period was agreed in 2015. Because there must be exemptions in certain cases, if a company has only one layer and in the sole possession or in very large but excellent locations, such as the Würzburg Stone (single location, Germany) . Until then, have found a solution to each region. Rheinhessen and Nahe in this regard have already taken a decision. You waive the second classification stage to the location and naming rely exclusively on local wines, to emphasize the significance of the documents further.

* Ahr : Riesling, Pinot Noir, Frühburgunder
* Baden (Germany) : Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
* Franconia : Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
* Hessian Mountain Road : No definition, there are (still) not a member of VDP
* Middle Rhine : Riesling
* Moselle : Riesling
* Near : Riesling
* Palatine : Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
* Rheingau Riesling, Pinot Noir
* Rheinhessen Riesling, Pinot Noir
* Saale Unstrut : Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
* Saxony : Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
* Wuerttemberg : Riesling, Pinot Noir, Lemberger

The first sheet-developed dry wines as Large greenhouse = GG (the spelling with "ss" instead of "ß" is done in terms of international marketing) and in the Rheingau as FirstGrowth D = EC. Since the 2006 vintage, this wine is wine legally dry , which means that they must not exceed 9 g / l residual sugar have.

The sweet fruit first sheet wines are traditionally named by the predicate names, so late vintage , Selection , Beerenauslese , Trockenbeerenauslese and Icewine . Each region is defined for each classified vineyard, what flavor types, possibly even more, the terroir perfectly interpret. An example of the region Moselle : Full-bodied dry wine quality, subtle light cabinets, elegant fruity late harvest and noble sweet great reading.

Done for first sheet wines, a selective hand-picking, the maximum yield is 50 hl / ha and the weight must be at least correspond to late harvest. In addition to the usual audit VDP wines are subject to additional inspection and testing. The quality-oriented work in the vineyard and in particular the yield will be, in each vineyard throughout the growing season and before the Vintage monitored. The wines will be tasted before and after filling by a board of examiners. The marketing may no earlier than 1 September of the year following the harvest, for red wines (Pinot Noir) made a year later. From the 2007 vintage by the way 392 first sheet of 143 wines were marketed wineries from 209 locations.

CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS / LOCAL WINES / LOCAL WINES
The middle level represents wines from traditional and high-quality vineyards. There is no limit on the flavor profiles, the maximum yield is 60 hl / ha, regionally specified grape varieties (see above), and higher minimum must weights.

Estate Wines
The third level represents the highest quality base wines that offer a first impression of terroir. For at least 80% of recommended and non-VDP typical grape varieties, the yield is a maximum of 75 hl / ha, regionally determined minimum must weights.

A frequently asked question is, what the difference between the VDP and the classification introduced in 2001 Quality Concept Selection the DWI (German Wine Institute) makes. In essence, this is the "birthplace" of the grapes (position), which plays at the "first principles" to "selection" a decisive role.