11. Germany Flashcards

1
Q

All of Germany’s main wine producing regions are at which latitude except for which region?

A

1) 49-50 north
2) Baden

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is Germany’s overall climate?

A

Cool continental

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Along which river are most of Germany’s vineyards situated?

A

The Rhine and its tributaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

In what season does most rain fall in Germany?

A

Summer - warm but wet (500-800mm)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What soil plays an important role in Mosel and Ahr?

A

Dark slate that retains heat and reflects warmth at night

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is pendelbogen?

A

Replacement cane pruning with the can arched to the trellis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In which three regions can pockets of calcareous soil be found?

A

1) Baden
2) Pfalz
3) Rheinhessen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What four varieties tend to be planted on the calcareous soils?

A

1) Pinot Noir/Spatburgunder
2) Chardonnay
3) Pinot Blanc/Weissburgunder
4) Sylvaner (Franken)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

On what soil is Pinot Gris commonly planted?

A

Clay-dominant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the advantage of pendelbogen?

A

The arching is thought to improve sap flow and increase the number of viable buds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the five leading white plantings?

A

1) Riesling
2) Muller-Thurgau
3) Grauburgunder
4) Weissburgunder
5) Silvaner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the two leading black plantings?

A

1) Spatburgunder
2) Dornfelder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What aspect of vineyard maintenance adds to the cost of Mosel and Rheingau vineyards?

A

Erosion - vignerons need to winch soil and rocks back up the slops

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe Riesling in the vineyard (4)

A

1) Late budding
2) Thick wood
3) Late ripening
4) Frost resistant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When does Muller-Thurgau ripen and what is an advantage of this?

A

1) Earlier than Riesling
2) High yields in almost any conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the wine characteristics of Muller-Thurgau (3)

A

1) Lower acidity than Riesling
2) Earlier drinking
3) Fruity, floral, simple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What has led to the rise in Spatburgunder plantings? (3)

A

1) Higher quality clones
2) Perfecting canopy management
3) Selecting harvest dates for ripeness, alcohol and acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What two styles of wine is Dornfelder made into?

A

1) Fruity, easy drinking with some r/s
2) Ageworthy, lower-yielding and oak matured

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What style of wine does Dornfelder produce? (3)

A

1) Deep colour
2) High acid
3) Fruity, floral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

In which two regions is Dornfelder particularly successful?

A

1) Rheinhessen
2) Pfalz

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where is Silvaner likely to produce higher quality wines?

A

Franken

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

There are sizeable plantings of Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder in which three regions?

A

1) Rheinhessen
2) Pfalz
3) Baden (most important)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What international variety has been permitted since 1990?

A

Chardonnay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the nine key wine producing regions of Germany?

A

1) Ahr
2) Mosel
3) Rheingau
4) Nahe
5) Rheinhessen
6) Franken
7) Pfalz
8) Wurttemburg
9) Baden

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are two crosses capable of producing quality wines besides Muller-Thurgau?

A

1) Kerner
2) Scheurebe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Is enrichment permitted in Pradikatswein?

A

No

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Why is enrichment becoming obsolete?

A

Climate change and improved viticultural techniques render it less necessary except for bulk production.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the traditional fermentation vessel?

A

Large old oak for oxygenation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the fuder?

A

1,000l oak vessel of the Mosel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is the stuck?

A

1,200 oval oak vessel of the Rhine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

New oak barriques might be used for what three white varieties?

A

1) Chardonnay
2) Weissburgunder
3) Grauburgunder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What two oak sources are common?

A

1) Pfalz - large
2) French - barriques

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Why has stainless steel become popular? (4)

A

1) Temperature control
2) Easy to clean
3) Size (cost and economies of scale)
4) Inert (stylistic preference)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is sussreserve?

A

Unfermented/partially fermented must

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Sussreserve must be produced from what?

A

From grapes of the same region and quality as the wine it’s added to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

How is sussreserve produced?

A

A small portion of must is separated pre-ferment, which is then clarified, chilled and SO2 is added

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

When is sussreserve added?

A

Prior to bottling, which potentially reduces the alcohol percentage of the final wine as it’s 0%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is a more quality-minded approach to retaining sweetness? (3)

A

Stopping fermentation by:

1) Adding SO2
2) Racking
3) Filtering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

RCGM can only be used at which level?

A

Deutscher wine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What is the sweet/dry sales and production trend?

A

Towards trocken/halbtrocken

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What was the traditional use for sweetness?

A

To mask bitter/unripe fruit and balance acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What technique is employed in the winery for inexpensive red?

A

Thermovinification for quick extraction and fermentation off skins for a fruity wine with low tannins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What are the four quality levels of German wine?

A

1) Deutscher Wein
2) Landwein
3) Qualitatswein
4) Pradikatswein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What is the fundamental principal of German wine law?

A

Categorising according to must weight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is Deutscher Wein? (3)

A

1) Wine without a GI from German fruit
2) 8.5-15% in any style
3) Inexpensive; accounts for a small % of crush

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What is Landwein? (4)

A

1) 8.5-15%
2) Commonly trocken/halbtrocken
3) 85% from the region on the label
4) PGI equivalent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What is Qualitatswein? (3)

A

1) From 1/13 abaugebeite - stated on the label
2) Minimum 7% in any style
3) Any style

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What is Amtliche Prufungsrummer (AP)

A

A 10-12 digit number that indicates when a Qualitatswein was lab tested, the vineyard location, and bottler’s lot #

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

What is Bereich?

A

1/40 named sites for Pradikatswein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Does the Bereich need to be on the label?

A

No, but Anbaugebeite does

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

From which varieties can Pradikatswein be produced?

A

Any so long as it’s permitted by the Anbaugebeite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Describe Kabinett (3)

A

1) The lightest in body but highest in acidity
2) Citrus, green fruit
3) Dry to medium-sweet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Describe Spatlese (4)

A

1) Picked two weeks after Kabi
2) Riper - stone fruit and fuller body
3) Slightly high alcohol at relative residual sugar level
4) Dry to medium-sweet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Describe Auslese (3)

A

1) Extra-ripe - honeyed if Botrytis included
2) Dry to sweet
3) Often but not mandatory hand-harvested and/or hand-sorted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Describe Beerenauslese (4)

A

1) Hand-harvested
2) Always sweet; minimum 5%
3) Botrytis common but not essential
4) Very ripe, dry stone fruit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Describe Eiswein (3)

A

1) Harvested below -7 degrees, Nov-Feb
2) Pressed while frozen
3) High acidity, concentrated peach and grapefruit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

How are growers protecting Eiswein fruit from disease/predators?

A

Plastic sheeting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What is the minimum ABV for Kabi, Spat & Aus?

A

7%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

Describe TBA (2)

A

1) Botrytis essential
2) Rarely higher than 8%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

What is a criticism of the Pradikats system?

A

Kabinett to Auslese and be produced in any sweetness level so it is difficult for consumers to determine sweetness levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

What is trocken?

A

No more than 4g/L residual sugar or up to 9g/L where the residual sugar doesn’t exceed total acidity by more than 2g/L

62
Q

The trocken to suss EU sweetness labelling terms refer to what?

A

The level of residual sugar rather than how dry or sweet the wines taste i.e. a Muller at the same level as a Riesling will likely taste sweeter due to Muller’s lower acidity

63
Q

What is halbtrocken?

A

4-12g/L residual sugar or up to 18g/L where the residual sugar doesn’t exceed total acidity by more than 10g/L

64
Q

What is Lieblich? (2)

A

1) Medium/medium-sweet
2) 12-45g/L residual sugar

65
Q

What is suss? (2)

A

1) Sweet
2) >45g/L residual sugar

66
Q

What is feinherb? (3)

A

1) Fine dry
2) Not legislated
3) Halbtrocken and slightly sweeter

67
Q

What might Goldkapsel signify?

A

A greater % of botrytis fruit due to potential sweetness range in the Auslese category

68
Q

What is the order of German vineyard categorisation (small to large) (4)

A

1) Einzellagen (a vineyard)
2) Grosslagen (a group of vineyards)
3) Bereich (districts)
4) Anbaugebeite (regions)

69
Q

At which two quality levels are Grosslagen and Einzellagen permitted?

A

Qualitatswein and Pradikatswein

70
Q

What is a consumer difficulty regarding Einzellagen and Grosslagen labelling?

A

There is no clear distinction between them.

I.e. Piesporter Goldtropfchen is an Einzellagen, but Piesporter Michelsburger is a Grosslagen

71
Q

What is Liebfraumilch? (4)

A

1) Qualitatswein level
2) Medium-dry - at least 18g/L
3) 70% Riesling, Muller-Thurgau (most common) or Kerner
4) Mostly from Rheinhessen and Pfalz but also Rheingau and Nahe

72
Q

VDP has stricter standards than German wine law. What are five?

A

1) Lower maximum yields
2) Higher minimum must weights
3) Predominantly traditional varieties
4) Encourages sustainable viticulture
5) Audits every five years

73
Q

How must VDP dry wines be labelled?

A

Qualitatswein Trocken

74
Q

What are the four levels of VDP quality?

A

1) Gutswein (region)
2) Ortswein (village)
3) Erste Lage (1er cru)
4) Gross Lage (Grand cru)

75
Q

What is the max yield for Gutwein and Ortswein?

A

75hL/ha

76
Q

Name five Erste Lage requirements

A

1) 60 hL/ha
2) Hand-harvested
3) At least Spatlese ripeness
4) Traditional winemaking
5) Village and vineyard on the label

77
Q

Name five Gross Lage requirements

A

1) 50 hL/ha
2) White - dry released after 1 September the year post-harvest
3) Red - 12 month oak and released after 1 September after maturation
4) Pradikatswein released after 1 May post-harvest
5) Varieties determined according to Anbaugebeite

78
Q

What are two VDP Grosse Lage labelling requirements?

A

1) G.G. permitted, Grosses Gewaches isn’t
2) Vineyard permitted, village isn’t

79
Q

What is the only anbaugebeite where botrytis is permitted within VDP Grosse Lage?

A

Ahr

80
Q

Spatburgunder is allowed in VDP Grosse Lage for all anbaugebeite except two. Which?

A

1) Mosel
2) Nahe

81
Q

What is purpose of the Rheingau Charter?

A

It was introduced to promote dry wines from Rheingau’s best vineyard sites

82
Q

What is the legally protected term for wines from the best sites under the Rheingau Charter?

A

Erstes Gewachs

83
Q

Name three requirements of Erstes Gewachs (Rheingau)

A

1) Riesling or Spatburgunder
2) Hand-harvested
3) Dry with a minimum must weight equivalent to Spatlese

84
Q

What are the four new levels since 2021 for Qualitatswein?

A

1) Anbaugebeite (winegrowing area)
2) Region (formerly Bereich)
3) Village/Ortswein
4) Vineyard/Einzellage

85
Q

Within the 2021 classification what are the three tiers of single vineyard wines?

A

Single vineyard > Erstes Gewachs > Grosses Gewachs

86
Q

Single vineyard/Einzellage wines must be the equivalent of what Pradikat? (2021 classification)

A

Kabinett

87
Q

Within the 2021 classification, what are three requirements for both Erstes and Grosses Gewachs?

A

1) Single vineyard or smaller parcel within
2) Must be dry
3) Single grape approved by the anbaugebeite

88
Q

Within the 2021 classification, what are four requirements for both Erstes Gewachs?

A

1) Picked selectively
2) 60-70 hL/ha
3) Pass sensory test if ordered
4) Released 1 March of the following year

89
Q

Within the 2021 classification, what are two requirements for both Grosses Gewachs?

A

1) Handpicked
2) 50 hL/ha max
3) Compulsory sensory test
4) Released 1 Sep of following year for whites and 1 June of the next year for reds

90
Q

What is the largest Anbaugebeite?

A

Rheinhessen

91
Q

What two mountain ranges shelter the Rheinhessen?

A

1) Hunsbruck
2) Taunus

92
Q

What quality level dominates Rheinhessen?

A

Bulk

93
Q

Name a premium area of Rheinhessen

A

Rheinterrasse

94
Q

Describe Rheinterrasse

A

Steeply sloping vineyards on the west bank of the River Rhine facing east for cool morning sunshine with moderation from the river

95
Q

Name the reputed strip of Rheinterrasse

A

Roter Hang

96
Q

What is Rotliegenden?

A

Iron-rich red soil of slate, clay and sandstone common in Roter Hang

97
Q

Name a significant Rheinhessen producer

A

Keller

98
Q

Name the other high quality area of Theinhessen

A

Wonnegau

99
Q

What topographical peculiarity is particular to Pfalz compared with the rest of Germany

A

It is not situated along a river

100
Q

What can be found in the east and west of Pfalz vineyards?

A

East - Haardt mountains
West - Rhine Plain

101
Q

What is the renowned area of vineyards in Pfalz?

A

Mittelheim (north)

102
Q

Mittelheim consists of which five villages?

A

1) Bad Durkheim
2) Wachenheim
3) Furst
4) Deidesheim
5) Ruppertsberg

103
Q

Describe Mittelheim vineyards (4)

A

1) South-facing
2) Foothills of Haardt
3) Wind protected
4) Lime, sand, basalt, clay

104
Q

What/where is the traditional area for inexpensive production in Pflaz and why?

A

Sudliche Weinterrasse
South (warmer), fertile sandstone

105
Q

Name a Pfalz producer

A

Burklin-Wolf

106
Q

What makes Baden Germany’s warmest, driest region? (2)

A

1) Its southerly latitude
2) Vosges rain shadow

107
Q

What is Baden’s most planted variety?

A

Spatburgunder

108
Q

Baden’s climate is also suited to which variety and style?

A

Inexpensive Muller-Thurgau

109
Q

What company type is common in Baden? Given an example

A

1) Co-op
2) Badischer Winzerkeller

110
Q

Name two Bereich in Pfalz and their respective wine styles

A

1) Ortenau - cool, delicate, marked acidity
2) Kaiserstuhl - full, high alcohol, ripe and smoky

111
Q

What is Wurttemberg’s main style?

A

Light, fruit reds for domestic consumption

112
Q

What and why are three important varieties in Wurttemberg?

A

1) Trollinger
2) Lemberger
3) Schwarzriesling

Gives producers a potential point of difference in export markets

113
Q

What are two topographical/geological factors (besides aspect) beneficial to ripening in the Mosel?

A

1) Sunshine reflection off the river
2) Dark coloured slate (grey, blue, brown, red)

114
Q

The Mosel can be split into three. What are the sections and which is largest?

A

1) Upper
2) Middle - largest
3) Lower

115
Q

What are seven notable villages in Mosel?

A

1) Brauneberg
2) Erden
3) Graach
4) Urzig
5) Wehlen
6) Bernkastel
7) Piesport

116
Q

Name a vineyards in Brauneberg

A

Juffer

117
Q

Name a vineyard in Erden

A

Treppchen

118
Q

Name a vineyard in Graach

A

Himmelreich

119
Q

Name a vineyard in Urzig

A

Wurzgarten

120
Q

Name a vineyard in Wehlen

A

Sonnenuhr

121
Q

Name a vineyard in Bernkastel

A

Doctor

122
Q

Name a vineyard in Piesport

A

Goldtropchen

123
Q

Where might inexpensive Muller-Thurgau wines be planted in Mosel?

A

Piesport

124
Q

What is the largest co-op in Mosel?

A

Moselland (20% of production)

125
Q

What two other rivers run through the Mosel region?

A

1) Saar
2) Ruwer

126
Q

Where are the Saar-Ruwer vineyards planted?

A

South, south-east and south-west aspects in the sheltered side valleys

127
Q

What is the most famous Saar vineyard?

A

Scharzhofberg

128
Q

What is Germany’s most continental region and why?

A

1) Franken
2) Furthest east

129
Q

Franken’s vineyards are planted on the slopes of which river?

A

Main

130
Q

What are the two most-planted varieties in Franken?

A

1) Muller-Thurgau
2) Silvaner

131
Q

When does Silvaner bud and ripen?

A

Early

132
Q

Where are Franken’s best Silvaner sites?

A

South and south-east facing vineyards on chalky soils around Wurzburg

133
Q

Where in Franken might Spatburgunder be found?

A

To the west on steep terraces of Sandstone

134
Q

What is Bocksbeutel?

A

A flat, rounded bottle with a short neck traditional to Franken

135
Q

Name a Franken producers

A

Rudolf Furst

136
Q

What mountain range protect Nahe?

A

Hunsruck - mild temperatures and low rainfall

137
Q

Name a producer of Nahe

A

Donnhoff

138
Q

Is Nahe cooler in the east or west?

A

West

139
Q

Between which two villages are Nahe’s best vineyards?

A

Schlossbockelheim and Bad Kreuznach

140
Q

What are Nahe’s soils?

A

Slate and sandstone

141
Q

Why might Rheingau wines be fuller and riper than Mosel?

A

The region is protected from cold northerly winds by the western end of the Taunus mountains coupled with south-facing slopes

142
Q

The Rhine is widest in Rheinhau. What two impacts does this have?

A

1) Increases humidity
2) Reduces frost

143
Q

Around which five villages are Rheingau’s best vineyards?

A

1) Rudesheim
2) Geisenheim
3) Johannisberg
4) Hattenheim
5) Erbech

144
Q

What is Rheingau’s dominant style?

A

Dry Riesling but reputed for Botrytis Riesling

145
Q

Where might Spatburgunder be found in Rheinhau? (2)

A

1) West where the river turns north
2) Steep, south and south-west facing Hollenberg vineyard

146
Q

Name two Rheingau wineries

A

1) Schloss Vollrads
2) Schloss Johannisberg

147
Q

Despite being one of Germany’s most northerly regions, Ahr is dominated by Spatburgunder. Why?

A

The Ahr River cuts a steep, sheltered valley with heat retaining dark slate and greywacke

148
Q

What is greywacke?

A

Dark sandstone

149
Q

Based in Ahr, what is thought to be the world’s oldest co-op?

A

Mayschoss

150
Q

Name an Ahr producer

A

Jean Stodden

151
Q

What has led to the reduction in number of growers across Germany?

A

Cost of farming vs what consumers will pay

152
Q

Describe the pattern of German export sales

A

Volume halved but value increased 200-300 euros per hL