German VDP Flashcards
What does VDP stand for? What is it?
Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter
A group of about 200 wine producers with the goal of creating their own wine classification system and more stringent rules on wine production.
How do the rules for VDP members compare to the general German wine laws?
- Maximum yields are much lower,
- minimum must weights are higher, and
- members are encouraged to grow grapes that were traditionally planted in their region.
When was the VDP created? Why?
In 1910 as the Verband Deutscher Naturweinversteigerer (VDNV).
A group of producers banded together to advocate for producing wine without must enrichment. The term for these wines was originally Naturwein.
Why did the VDNV change its name to the VDP?
The 1971 German wine law did not recognize the term “Naturwein” and instead classified wines based on “Prädikat.” This precipitated the chagne from Verband Deutscher Naturweinversteigerer to Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter.
What is the concept of Naturwein in early 20th century German winemaking?
Wine made without must enrichment.
What percentage of German vineyard area is owned by VDP members? What production by volume and value do they represent?
5% of total vineyard area. Their products are about 3% of production and 7.5% of total value.
What is the most planted variety among VDP members?
Riesling, at around half of vineyard area.
How much of VDP production is exported?
25%
How does the VDP monitor the vineyard practices of its members?
Members are audited every 5 years. Those who are not compliant with regulations may be expelled.
How much of Germany’s certified organic producers are VDP members?
Over 20%
True or False
The majority of VDP production is sweet wines
False. Dry wines, both white and red, are the majority of VDP production even though must weights are typically higher than non-VDP wine.
However, a significant number of VDP producers in Mosel produce sweeter wine styles.
What has the VDP done to improve on the provenance of its wines?
It introduced a four tier system that was refined in 2012. It is not part of German wine law and only applies to its members.
The system is similar to the Burgundy Cru tiers.
What are the four VDP vineyard categories?
Gutswein
Ortswein
Erste Lage
Grosse Lage
Describe the VDP Gutswein category.
Regional wines similar in style to entry level regional Burgundy.
The wine must originate from a member’s holdings within a specific region.
Maximum yields are 75 hL/ha.
Describe the VDP Ortswein category.
Equivalent to entry level Burgundy Village.
The grapes used in these wines must be characteristic of the region they are grown in.
Maximum yields are 75 hL/ha.
