Germany’s Prädikat Wine Estates see it as a mission and a challenge to strengthen public esteem of Germany’s top-quality wines. German Riesling, in particular, is not only in vogue once again all over the world, but it has also joined the league of cult wines. Even in the New World, in publications such as Wine Spectator or Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, wine critics have been generous with high marks for Germany’s top producers, including top scores of 100 points.

Since the beginning of the new century, the VDP has awarded its trophy “Made in Germany” to outstanding journalists whose efforts on behalf of German wines merit recognition. Recipients are individuals and/or publications that have made a significant contribution to the development of German wines, in general, and the image of top-quality wines, in particular. Their coverage of the themes pleasure, culture and “made in Germany” has been exemplary.

Where the trophy is awarded: The annual award presentation takes place at the VDP Wine Ball held in Wiesbaden’s Kurhaus.

The award: silver VDP capsule

Past prizewinners

2009  Freddy Price, wine consultant

2006  Mario Scheuermann, journalist

2005  Stuart Pigott, wine critic and journalist

2004  Pit Falkenstein, creator of the DM/Euro hit parade: “The 100 Best Wine Estates of Germany”

2004  Vinum (European wine magazine) and its longtime editor-in-chief Rudolf Knoll

2003  Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland (annual guide to German wines and estates) and its authors Armin Diel and Joel B. Payne

2002  Der Feinschmecker and Weingourmet (German wine, food & lifestyle magazines)

2001  “Bericht zur Lage”: a series of articles profiling top vineyard sites that was written by six journalists of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (German daily newspaper)