The circumstances have never been more difficult – the motivation never greater. The year 2020 has brought us all major challenges. All the more reason for us to be grateful and celebrate as we present our VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS® wines at the end of August in Wiesbaden.
They represent the absolute top of German wines. On September 1 of each year, the VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHSE - the Grand Crus of absolute top sites - are launched on the market. A small circle of people from wine journalism, trade and gastronomy already had the unique opportunity this week to taste the new releases exclusively before everyone else. Starting next Tuesday, the "GG's" will be available to all wine fans of the VDP.wineries and lovers of exceptional wines.
While in many regions the grape harvest for the 2020 vintage has already begun, it is mainly the white wines from the 2019 vintage and the red wines from the 2018 vintage that will be the focus of attention during the three-day event in Wiesbaden. Some VDP.Wine Estates have even decided to launch their VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHSE® at an even later date and are thus pursuing the idea of a "late release".
Why we can't wait for the new release of VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®? The VDP.GROSSE LAGE® from which these special wines come is the award for the highest quality German vineyards and represents the top of the VDP.classification model. Wines that have grown there under the perfect conditions of soil, light, shade, wind, heat and coolness impress with their independence and are expressive representatives of the vineyard itself. Above all, the high ageing potential distinguishes the wines that carry the GG logo on the bottle.
The joy of finally being able to hold an event again was felt not only by the winemakers but also by the tasters. Temperature measurements at the entrance, compulsory masks, distances, individual tasting tables as well as sanitizer made it possible to comply with the strict safety and hygiene rules also in this special year.
Comments on the tasting
"Wonderful to drink from the first moment on, ripe, silky acidity - a really great vintage."
Christoph Raffelt, blog "Originalverkorkt"
"It took me completely by surprise. The reds from 2018 are coping extremely well with the second warmest year after 2003. Wow. I must say whether Ahr or also Rheinhessen, I liked it throughout. “
Caro Maurer, Master of Wine
"To see the development - how the individual character of the vineyard sites is brought out is great. That is quite clearly noticeable“
Nancy Großmann, sommelière, Rutz Berlin***
"Many wines from 2019 have an incredible finesse, despite the enormous heat waves and the inconsistent weather. This constant change has given the wines their special tension."
Stuart Pigott, James Suckling
"Intense, rich wines - but also complex wines with balance. Despite the great concentration, one still has an enormous freshness."
Konstantin Baum, Master of Wine
"The wines are accessible early and where they are really great I would even put them above 2018 - but they are really great in a charming way!"
Gerhard Retter, sommelier and host
BLOGPOSTS
There are people who follow a tennis match live AND there are people who read about how the new vintage of VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHSE® presents itself in Wiesbaden.
For all those who are feverish, we'll summarize all the voices here for you.
©2020
photos: Peter Bender
