Designation for the dry wines of the highest level in the VDP classification model. The spelling with "ss" instead of "ß" is used for reasons of international marketing. It applies to all growing regions with the exception of the Rheingau, where they are called Erstes Gewächs. In the Rheingau growing region, the designation "Erstes Gewächs" is the traditional designation of origin for top dry wines from classified vineyards outside the VDP terminology. The Rheingau VDP members are an exception; since the 2013 vintage, they have also been allowed to label their top dry wines from "VDP.GROSSEN LAGEN®" as "VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®".
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)