Grosses Gewaechs
For the designation of a "Grosses Gewaechs" we make high demands on the wines. For example the vineyards have to be awarded the title "excellent" with regard to the "Royal Bavarian Classification of Soil" in 1828. At the Pfeffingen wine-growing estate both the Ungsteiner Weilberg and the Ungsteiner Herrenberg have this standard. In addition the vineyard site has to bring out high quality wines for years and years with a big ageing potential.
Skilled tasters make sure of these characteristics in blind tastings. Riesling, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) are the grape varieties that are classified. Of course the Pfeffingen wine-growing estate prefers the dominant Riesling. All measures in the vineyard as well as in the cellar are taken to optimize the wine quality. The maximum yield is 48 hl/ha, the handpicking of all grapes is standard. A "Grosses Gewaechs" from the Riesling grape has to have a natural must-weight of at least 90° Oechsle. The winemaking process follows traditional methods. Chaptalization and adding of sweet reserve is forbitten. The maximum sugar level lies at 9 g/l which corresponds to the demands on a classical dry wine. To proof its excellent wine quality, a "Grosses Gewaechs" has to pass several blind tastings before and after the bottling. The first presentation of all "Grosse Gewaechse" in the traditional Rhine bottle will be in every year on september,1st.
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* So far the designation "Grosses Gewaechs" is not regulated by the wine law and is therefore only a classification of private wine-growing estates.
