Comments on: German Classification http://rieslingrules.com/the_book Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:24:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Nicolas http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/riesling-around-the-world/kpw-german-classification/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Nicolas Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:58:45 +0000 http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/?p=118#comment-293 Kent, The Erste Gewach name is for sure for Rheingau (incorporated in the laws of the province of Hessen in 2001). I have only seen Este Lage in the Mosel, the Saar and the Ruwer (that could be updated) and the wines can be dry or sweet. I think Grosse Gewach is used every where else and must be dry. To my knowledge all of those classification are regulated by the VDP. I think that the VDP may have authorized non VDP members to use the Este Lage and Grosse Gewach terms as long as they abide to all the rules of the VDP (I'll check on that and report). Let me know if you find otherwise. Note: I'll see what we can do for a larger definition of the VDP. It is an important force in Germany. For now let's say: Founded 1910 with about 200 members currently, the VDP has put out guidelines for its members for yield and other viticultural requirements that are stricter than the legal requirements. Kent,

The Erste Gewach name is for sure for Rheingau (incorporated in the laws of the province of Hessen in 2001). I have only seen Este Lage in the Mosel, the Saar and the Ruwer (that could be updated) and the wines can be dry or sweet. I think Grosse Gewach is used every where else and must be dry. To my knowledge all of those classification are regulated by the VDP. I think that the VDP may have authorized non VDP members to use the Este Lage and Grosse Gewach terms as long as they abide to all the rules of the VDP (I’ll check on that and report).

Let me know if you find otherwise.

Note: I’ll see what we can do for a larger definition of the VDP. It is an important force in Germany. For now let’s say: Founded 1910 with about 200 members currently, the VDP has put out guidelines for its members for yield and other viticultural requirements that are stricter than the legal requirements.

]]> By: Kent Benson http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/riesling-around-the-world/kpw-german-classification/comment-page-1/#comment-281 Kent Benson Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:53:40 +0000 http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/?p=118#comment-281 I also think a further description of the VDP would be helpful. I also think a further description of the VDP would be helpful.

]]> By: Kent Benson http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/riesling-around-the-world/kpw-german-classification/comment-page-1/#comment-280 Kent Benson Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:52:32 +0000 http://rieslingrules.com/the_book/?p=118#comment-280 As far as I can tell by reading the VDP site, Erste Lage is used to designate all the "Grand Cru" sites, regardless of region, and Grosses Gewachs may appear on wines sourced from those sites that have met the VDP's requirements: at least Spatlese level ripeness, dry (no more than 9 g/l), etc. Wines from these Erste Lagen that do not meet these requirements, simply use the convetional Pradikat labeling. I found no distinction for the wines from the Mosel. The Rheingau system uses Erstes Gewachs, instead of Grosses Gewachs, for the qualifying wines from its Erste Lagen. Only the Rheingau system is written into law. The system in the other regions is run and enforced by the VDP (a wine producer association) soley on behalf of its members. As far as I can tell by reading the VDP site, Erste Lage is used to designate all the “Grand Cru” sites, regardless of region, and Grosses Gewachs may appear on wines sourced from those sites that have met the VDP’s requirements: at least Spatlese level ripeness, dry (no more than 9 g/l), etc. Wines from these Erste Lagen that do not meet these requirements, simply use the convetional Pradikat labeling. I found no distinction for the wines from the Mosel. The Rheingau system uses Erstes Gewachs, instead of Grosses Gewachs, for the qualifying wines from its Erste Lagen. Only the Rheingau system is written into law. The system in the other regions is run and enforced by the VDP (a wine producer association) soley on behalf of its members.

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