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The Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) decided on its first sparkling wine classification at its general meeting in Oberwesel. The sparkling wine statute transfers the VDP criteria for wine one-to-one to the production of sparkling wine. Accordingly, the approved levels are Gutssekt, Ortssekt, Erste Lage and Große Lage. The VDP thus adopts the categories for champagnes in its regulations.
Traditional bottle fermentation is obligatory in all four quality levels. According to the statute, estate and local sparkling wines are to be left on the yeast for at least 15 months, site and vintage sparkling wines for at least 36 months. Here, too, the VDP has taken its cue from the production rules of Champagne. In addition, the grapes must be harvested early and by hand and must come from the estate's own production. The VDP has also set guideline values for the alcohol content in the base wine as well as in the sparkling wine and a maximum pressing rate for the grapes. The VDP guidelines also apply to the production of the sparkling wine base wine.
"With our 'VDP.Sekt.Statut', we want to give wine lovers in Germany and internationally a quality compass to help them orient themselves at the wine shelf in view of the wide range on offer," said VDP President Steffen Christmann before the general meeting.
German top sparkling wine estates, which frequently buy grapes from different wineries for production, will thus continue to be denied access to the VDP.
(uka / Photo: German Wine Institute)