Portfolio
In January of 2012, Germany's VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) agreed to further refine its classification concept, in which the origin and quality of a wine are inextricably related. As of vintage 2012, the origin of VDP members' wines will be classified according to the following four-tier pyramid
What does this mean for the wines of Weingut Balthasar Ress? With the exception of a bit of revamped vocabulary, there are really few changes.
Pre-2012: "Erste Lage" denoted a top vineyard site. As of vintage 2012: "VDP.GROSSE LAGE®" denotes a top vineyard site. This applies to the sites Hattenheim Nussbrunnen, Hattenheim Wisselbrunnen, Rüdesheim Berg Rottland, and of course, Rüdesheim Berg Schlossberg. Naturally, Assmannshausen Höllenberg is also a "VDP.GROSSE LAGE®." A corresponding change in terminology also applies to the wines produced from grapes grown in these sites.
Pre-2012: "Erstes Gewächs" denoted a top wine from a top vineyard site. As of vintage 2012: "VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®" denotes a top wine from a top vineyard site. At this time, this applies to our wines from Hattenheim Nussbrunnen and from the two Rüdesheimer Berg sites. Whether we will expand our range of top-quality dry wines remains to be seen. We have an additional option - the excellent "VDP.GROSSE LAGE®" site Hattenheim Wisselbrunnen.
Pre-Pre-2012: "klassifizierte Lage" denoted a classified site. As of vintage 2012: "VDP.ERSTE LAGE®" denotes a classified site. This applies to Hattenheim Engelmannsberg, Hattenheim Schützenhaus and our solely owned site Schloss Reichartshausen.
Pre-2012: "Ortswein" denoted a village wine. As of vintage 2012: "VDP.ORTSWEIN" denotes a village wine. This applies to the appellations Hattenheimer and Rüdesheimer. "VDP.ORTSWEIN" will appear on the capsule in writing.
Pre-2012: "Gutswein" denoted a regional wine. As of vintage 2012: "VDP.GUTSWEIN" denotes a regional wine. This applies to our single varietal (Riesling) cuvées from different Rheingau vineyards as well as our "VON UNSERM" range. "VDP.GUTSWEIN" will appear on the capsule in writing.