In the wine industry, there are different voices on the new classification of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) - many positive, but also many negative. In his report from the VDP Wine Exchange in Mainz in April this year, wine merchant Martin Kössler expresses a differentiated view: "The classification will certainly establish itself on the market, we are clear supporters, in three levels; however, whether the 'Erste Lage' between the local wines and the 'Grosses Gewächs' will establish itself as the fourth level remains questionable. To us, it seems hardly communicable. The future will tell." Marcus Hofschuster, tasting and editorial director of Wein-Plus, also welcomes the VDP initiative in principle: "As far as the classification is concerned: I am sure that the more it is tidied up here, the better off the producers concerned will be - and experience shows that the better the wines will be in the foreseeable future," he explains. Tidying up means "a clear streamlining of the range, as is inevitable under the new classification". Hofschuster considers "the reduction to one authoritative dry wine per place below the best single vineyards as well as one basic wine (per relevant variety) to be the best measure not only to give a clear, comprehensible picture, but also to then get the best out of these wines."