10. Germany Flashcards
Overview
- Cool continental (49-50°N, except Baden)
- Alluvial (flat plains, high-volume), poorer at mid-slope (small batches,
calcareous, slate) - Most wines à large-scale (high-volume, inexpensive)
- Small batches of premium to super-premium wines (high-quality)
- Riesling, Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner), Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir),
Dornfelder, Silvaner, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Weissburgunder (Pinot
Blanc), Chardonnay - Main rule à classify grapes according to their must weight at harvest
o Deutscher Wein, Landwein (PGI), Qualitätswein (PDO),
Prädikatswein (PDO, six levels)
o Prädikatswein à Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, Trockenbeerenauslese - 13 Anbaugebiete (designated quality wine regions), 40 Bereich (districts)
- VDP à Gutswein (regional), Ortswein (village), Erste Lage (PC), Grosse Lage (GC)
Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden and Württemberg -> 80% of production
Rheinhessen -> Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder
Pfalz -> Riesling, Dornfelder, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder
Baden -> best-known for reds from Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder, Chard
Württemberg -> most red wines from Trollinger, Lemberger, Schwarzriesling, Riesling for whites
o Most high-volume, some small batches of prem wines
Mosel
o Dark slate, mid-slopes, 90% of whites, Riesling 60%
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o Strong reputation for sweeter styles of Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese
o Small batches (premium to super-premium)
Franken
o 82% of whites, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling and Silvaner (historical)
o High-volume
Nahe
75% whites, Riesling 30%, Müller-Thurgau (inexpensive),
Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder (very good wines), Dornfelder
Rheingau
o Small but highly prestigious region
o Most dry wines
o Most whites (86%), Riesling alone 78%
o Spätburgunder for reds
o Small batches (premium to super-premium)
Ahr
o Black grapes (83%), Spätburgunder most planted
o Very good wines (small batches)
