Step by step the Prädikat Wine Estates are coming closer to realizing the self-defined goals set forth at their general meeting in 2006. It was agreed that the resolutions passed then – a breakthrough in establishing more clarity with regard to the nomenclature to designate wines in the top category –  would be implemented in all regions no later than 2015. According to VDP president Steffen Christmann: “Year for year we’re seeing progress. It makes one proud and happy to see how our members are going about implementing our common vision. Within just three years, many aspects of the resolutions passed in 2006 are already in place. Our classification is comparable with the process of fermentation – with time, grape must clarifies itself more and more, and one watches over it with great hope that it will become an outstanding wine.”

Nomenclature introduced in 2006

ERSTE LAGE is the uniform umbrella term that designates all wines of the top category in all regions. The logo stands for “origin from one of the finest vineyards in Germany.”

If the wines are dry in style, they are referred to as Grosse Gewächse (great growths), symbolized on labels by the initials GG.

If the wines have a natural fruity sweetness, they are denoted by the traditional Prädikats, e.g. Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, etc.

Regardless of style, the Prädikat Wine Estates guarantee that all wines that are designated ERSTE LAGE are produced according to the same strict, terroir-oriented criteria.

>>> Since its conception in 2006, this system of nomenclature – ERSTE LAGE – has been implemented nationwide by all VDP members.

 

Use of vineyard names

ERSTE LAGE wines bear the name of an individual vineyard site that has met VDP classification criteria. If a vineyard name is used for ERSTE LAGE wines, it can only be used for ERSTE LAGE wines. This was an objective set in 2006. It has already been implemented in the Pfalz for quite some time. As of vintage 2008, VDP members in the Nahe and Rheinhessen regions have imposed even stricter regulations governing the use of vineyard names. The Prädikat Wine Estates are confident that the pioneering efforts of these three regions will be followed by other regions – intial efforts can already be seen.

>>> After the Pfalz, the Nahe and Rheinhessen regions (as of vintage 2008) have imposed even stricter regulations governing the use of vineyard names. Other regions are working on similar measures.

Marketing

Dry ERSTE LAGE wines, i.e. all Grosse Gewächse (GG), receive at least one year of aging before being released.

Dry white ERSTE LAGE wines can be released on the first of September the year after the harvest.

Dry red ERSTE LAGE wines can be released on the first of September two years after the harvest. 

ERSTE LAGE wines with a natural fruity sweetness, i.e. denoted by the traditional Prädikats, can be released on the first of May the year after the harvest, regardless of color.

The newest ERSTE LAGE releases, dry white/dry red and wines with natural fruity sweetness, will make their debut at the VDP Weinbörse in Mainz on 26 and 27 April 2009.

>>> As of vintage 2008, the marketing regulations outlined above have been implemented by VDP members nationwide.