The German Agricultural Society, known as DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft), is a leading international non-profit organization committed to supporting innovation and scientific advancement in agriculture and the food industry. Founded in 1885 by Max Eyth, DLG is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main and had over 23,000 members as of 2011. Its core mission is to promote technical progress, set industry standards, and strengthen global agricultural cooperation.
DLG’s main activities include organizing educational seminars, offering advisory services, publishing industry-related materials, and conducting product testing. It awards the prestigious DLG Quality Seal to outstanding food and beverage products, including wine. The organization also tests agricultural machinery and plays a major role in hosting international trade fairs such as AGRITECHNICA, EuroTier, Anuga FoodTec, PotatoEurope, and DLG Field Days.
In the wine sector, DLG developed a rigorous five-point assessment system used in official German wine classification. Wines are evaluated blindly by expert panels based on bouquet (aroma), taste, and overall harmony. To qualify for official classification and display a Prädikat designation, wines must score at least 1.5 out of 5 in each category. Through this system, DLG ensures consistent quality and integrity in German winemaking.