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German| Date: 2005-11-15 02:20:50 |
| From: BLVDDAD@aol.com |
Subject: Re: GERMAN CLASSIFICATION - PUZZLE!! |
| In a message dated 11/14/2005 1:27:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, raymd@singnet.com.sg writes: Love the wine but dislike that fickle clasification. What's the difference between a Riesling Großes Gewächs and a Riesling Spatlese trocken? Thanks Not very complicated--the Grosses Gewächs system is a classification invented by and enforced for the members of the VDP, which is of course a grower membership organization based in each region. Part of the requirements are that the wine will be the equivalent of a Spätlese trocken (approximately) in ripeness and residual sugar. Therefore, the definition for the Grosses Gewächs wines are built on those for the Prädikat, but are either often more restrictive or contain additional requirements. The enforcement, too, can differ, but I believe that in all regions there will be an effort to enshrine the GG system into law. This has already happened in some regions, I believe. In addition, there is an effort to undo the lumping together of vineyard lands under famous names, which has resulted in the unconscionable dilution of the vineyard nomenclature and the increased production of inferior wines under great and highly recognizable names. There is hope that, and efforts toward, the re-defining of the vineyard areas down back to the classic boundaries found in historical maps and other data. On the label, you may notice some differences in the way that information is presented. There will be an emphasis on the vineyard (Lage) name and a de-emphasis on the town (Gemeinde) name, this latter often being found on the rear label, along with the Prädikat information. It's supposed to be similar to the Burgundian practice of not using the Village name with Grand Cru wines, but it seems somewhat against the historical grain in Germany, at least to me. Best, John Trombley More infos: www.wein-plus.com Unsubscribe: www.wein-plus.com/abmelden.htm |
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by Raymond