VDP's new four-tier system

At last week's AGM of the VDP (top German wine) estates in Freiburg, the central issue was a further development of the four-tier classification pyramid which had been approved at a special meeting in January.

As mentioned in my earlier report, the four tiers, in descending order, will be VDP Grosse Lage (grand cru), VDP Erste Lage (premier cru), VDP Ortswein (wine with communal appellation) and VDP Gutswein (estate wine).

Beginning with the 2012 vintage, the two top designations will be identified by a band around the lower part of the capsule, on which will be stated Grosse Lage...