Wolf’s thesis, entitled ‘Investigating the Sensory Differentiability of the VDP Classification in the Central Rheingau’, examines whether its high number of regulations makes Germany too complex or incorrigible compared to other winegrowing nations and whether the origin and classification of the quality pyramid of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP; Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) can be differentiated from a sensory point of view. In addition, Wolf explores whether winegrowers who follow the VDP classification are convinced that its categorization through four classification features makes sense, or if they would prefer it be done differently. Professor Rainer Jung, deputy head of the Department of Enology at Hochschule Geisenheim University, acted as Wolf's thesis supervisor.
An award ceremony took place on October 25, 2024, during which Dieter Erbslöh and Professor Jung awarded Julia Wolf with her certificate and trophy. Wolf then presented her research work, supplemented by a sensory tasting, giving attendees a direct taste of the subject of her thesis. Wolf presented guests with a selection of wine from the Prinz, Ress, Barth, and Kaufmann wineries to emphasize their sensory differences and the challenges of the VDP classification system.
The event then led into a lively panel on the topic of ‘Öchsle or Terroir – the Future of Labeling Regulations'. Alongside the prize winner, experts including Professor Rainer Jung (Geisenheim University), Michael Engisch (Prüfstelle Rheinland-Pfalz), Peter Seyffardt (Rheingauer Weinverband), Johannes Eser (Weingut Johannishof), and Mark Barth (Weingut Barth) took to the stage. Together with moderator Professor Otmar Löhnertz, the panelists discussed the future direction of labeling regulations and the importance of a sensory traceability of origin.
Wolf's work and the panel discussion at Hochschule Geisenheim University provide important impetus for the further development of the German wine classification system and a continued exchange on the future of designation law.
The award is sponsored by the Gerd Erbslöh Foundation, which was established in 2008 by Geisenheim entrepreneur Gerd Erbslöh. It is dedicated to supporting bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses that promote the development of Hochschule Geisenheim University or represent a special achievement in the field of beverage technology or enology.
