New Origin Pyramid for Qualität and Prädikat Wines

New Origin Pyramid for Qualität and Prädikat Wines

From 2021, the legislature has created a more differentiated pyramid of origin for Qualität and Prädikat wines with a protected designation of origin (PDO). It is structured in four levels and follows the tenet "the smaller the origin, the higher the quality". The top of this pyramid is formed by the single vineyard wines, which in turn can be subdivided into three levels: At the top are the Großes Gewächs with the strictest quality requirements, followed by the Erstes Gewächs, then below these, the remaining wines from other single vineyards.

Wines with the name Großes Gewächs will now be at the top of the single vineyard wines. They comprise exclusively of white and red wines that have been made from a single grape variety that matches the regional profile. The hand-picked grapes must not exceed a yield of 50 hectolitres per hectare. The grape must used for production is required to have a natural minimum alcohol content of at least twelve percent by volume and come from a single vineyard or a smaller parcel within a classified site. The wine must be ‘trocken’ (dry) and undergo sensory evaluation by an examination committee. The year of vintage must always be indicated on the label. White wines of this highest quality level may only be sold from September 1st of the following year. For red wines, the period is extended by a further nine months, i.e., until June 1st of the second year after the harvest.

The designation Erstes Gewächs also only applies to white and red wines that have been made from a single grape variety that matches the regional profile. The grapes must be picked selectively and not exceed a yield of 60 hectolitres per hectare in flat growing areas or 70 hectolitres per hectare on steep slopes. The must used for production is required to have a natural minimum alcohol content of at least 11 percent by volume and come from a single vineyard or a smaller parcel within a classified site. The exclusively dry wine can only be offered for sale from March 1st of the following year and must indicate the vintage on the label. The region protection associations can prescribe a separate sensory test for the Erstes Gewächs wines.

For the Großes Gewächs and Erstes Gewächs wines, the region protection associations determine the grape varieties and other special sensory characteristics that match the regional profile. They can also define additional requirements for the use of the designations, such as certain maximum yields per hectare or minimum must weights.

Associations that already use the terms Großes Gewächs and Erstes Gewächs may continue to use them if they meet certain minimum requirements from the wine ordinance, for example with regard to grape varieties, yields, harvest regulations or the taste profile.

For all other still wines and sparkling wines with a designation of an individual vineyard or classified site, they may be produced from one or more grape varieties, as specified by the associations, and the grapes must be ripened to at least Kabinett quality. The earliest time for these wines to be sold is also March 1st of the following year.

The name of a single vineyard must always be given on the label together with the name of the village or district.

Ortsweine (Village wines)

Wines and sparkling wines that bear the name of a village or a district as a designation of origin, so-called Ortsweine (village wines), are on the level below the single vineyard wines in the new hierarchy. In terms of taste, they reflect the characteristics of the local vineyards.

The grape must for these wines must be of at least Kabinett quality and they may not be sold before December 15 of the year of harvest.

Region wines

The category of Region wines and sparkling wines (Sekt) is also new in the amended German wine legislation. It is used to denote still or sparkling wines whose grapes come from a wine-growing area or a Großlage - a large site that spans communes or districts. These wines are identified by placing the term "Region" in front of the respective area or name of the large site. A district or part of a village name may no longer be used together with a Großlage. This is only permitted for single-vineyards wine.

Winegrowing area / Protected Designation of Origin (PDO / g.U.)

At the lowest level of the Qualitätswein pyramid are wines and sparkling wines whose grapes come from a specified winegrowing area, but otherwise do not have a narrower geographical name. The quality requirements for them have not changed with the new wine legislation.

According to the new wine law, for all Qualität and Prädikat wines, the term "Qualitätswein" can now also be replaced by the indication "wine with a protected designation of origin" combined with the name of a winegrowing area.

Transition periods

The legislature has granted a transition period for PDO (g.U.) wines. Up to and including the harvest year 2025, they may still be labelled in accordance with the previously applicable regulations and placed on the market until the remaining stock is sold. Großes Gewächs and Erstes Gewächs wines can still be labelled according to the previously applicable regulations and placed on the market up to and including the year 2023.