The German wine classification system is designed to categorize wines based on their quality and the ripeness of the grapes at harvest. The main classifications include Qualitätswein, which is quality wine from specific regions, and Prädikatswein, which is a higher quality designation based on grape ripeness levels, such as Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese. In addition to these classifications, the system also recognizes VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) wines, which are produced by a group of elite wineries. The VDP has its own hierarchy, including Erste Lage and Grosse Lage, indicating top vineyard sites and exceptional quality.