The Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) has done an increasingly good job of promoting themselves in recent years. One of the initiatives that has meet with unmitigated success has been the Wine Ball that is held annually in the spa quarters of Wiesbaden on the eve of the presentation of their young wines in Mainz. This year's incarnation sailed under the flag of "Auf Grosser Fahrt" and was the most animated that I have ever attended. As I tend now to wear more often an ascot, I was surprised that I still felt comfortable in a bow tie and tuxedo, proper clothing for the 1937 that Kloster Eberbach showed as part of a range of 'mature' wines. Among the all too serious attempts of many countries to give themselves a sense of place, this is one that is also just plain fun…and the various courses offered in simple fashion by some of the country's finest chefs only adds to the pleasure. Comments