The VDP classification at a glance

Basic information for your press work and/or communication with your customers.

• ERSTE LAGE is the VDP’s highest quality level.
• An ERSTE LAGE wine is comparable with a Grand Cru in Burgundy.
• ERSTE LAGE, a term indicating the premium status of a vineyard and its wine, is not recognized by the German wine law and thus, not permitted on labels. As such, VDP estates use a logo , rather than the term ERSTE LAGE, to convey premium status on labels.
• The logo  helps consumers recognize an ERSTE LAGE wine. It appears after the name of the vineyard on the label, superscribed as a registered trademark.
• Dry wines are designated Grosses Gewächs. Because this special attribute is not recognized by the German wine law and thus, not permitted on labels, VDP estates use the registered trademark GG, rather than the term Grosses Gewächs, to convey dry style and premium status on labels.
• Wines with natural, fruity sweetness are denoted by the traditional Prädikats.

Erstes Gewächs is synonymous with Grosses Gewächs, i.e. a special attribute that denotes dry wines of the highest quality level, from the best vineyard sites. However, it is a term used exclusively in the Rheingau, where classification and the term Erstes Gewächs are legally recognized and thus, Erstes Gewächs appears on the label.

...for the sake of consistency:

• The name of the vineyard site is a visual signal and should be printed in small caps.
• The logo should appear after the name of the vineyard, superscribed as a registered trademark.
• In order to focus attention on the name of the vineyard site, it should stand alone, i.e. NOT be accompanied by the name of a village.
• The term Grosses Gewächs should always be written out (rather than abbreviated as GG) on price lists and wine lists. The term should always appear where a traditional Prädikat would appear for a wine with natural, fruity sweetness.^*
• Because a Grosses Gewächs is always dry, there is no need to use the term trocken.
• If wines are organized according to grape variety (in a heading), or if there is only one grape variety cultivated in a site, there is no need to name the grape variety after the name of the vineyard.

*Please note:

In order to avoid the appearance of deception, the use of the terms ERSTE LAGE and Grosses Gewächs should always be accompanied by a note indicating that these terms are part of the VDP classification, a civil statute of the VDP.

Sample texts to help explain what makes ERSTE LAGE wines special:

Choice wines from the best vineyards of Germany, classified by the VDP. Wines that bear this logo represent the highest quality possible – they have fulfilled stringent VDP classification standards. Dry wines are designated Grosses Gewächs (GG) and wines with natural, fruity sweetness or lusciously sweet wines are denoted by the traditional Prädikats. The terms ERSTE LAGE and Grosses Gewächs are part of the VDP classification, a civil statute of the VDP.

You can download the Erste Lage logo  from the VDP website in 2 variations:

1. As a .JPG graphic
2. As a .TTF file as a symbol on your PC. The symbol enables you to to enter the logo under the office function “enter>symbol” or simply with a key combination.

Download via www.vdp.de

1. Click here!
2. On “Erste Lage Logo als Symbol für Ihren PC” or any other graphic click on “+hinzufügen.”
3. On the upper right of the screen, beneath the “Klemmbrett” (clipboard), click on download.
4. Enter your name and e-mail addrress. Then send.
5. Soon thereafter, you will receive an e-mail with a link that you must copy into your browser (clicking on the link doesn’t work at this time...we’re working on it).
6. Now you can save the file (as shown) on your computer.
   
   

   Simple installation:

7. Save the logo on your computer.
8. Windows: hit start/settings/control panel/fonts.
9. Choose file/install new fonts and select wherever you originally saved the logo.
10. The font is called “VDP Symbole“ - you have to select this, save and confirm.

Use

Via the command “enter/Symbol” select the “VDP Symbol” desired – the logo.
We recommend assigning the logo a keyboad combination, e.g. StrgEL.

The .TFF version of the Erste Lage logo includes four formats:

• regular bold  
• superscribed bold
• regular thin
• superscribed thin

Legal notice:

This logo is a registered trademark of the VDP. Its use is regulated by statute. It can only be used in conjunction with ERSTE LAGE wines designated as such and with the consent of the VDP. Misuse is a trademark infringement that can be legally prohibited.

1.    The levels of classification
2.    Just what is ERSTE LAGE all about?
3.    And what about ERSTES GEWÄCHS?
4.    Using the term ERSTE LAGE in price lists, wine lists, Internet...
5.    Accessing the logo  on your PC