15. Germany Flashcards
Which method of sparkling wine production is not permitted for any category of Sekt?
Carbonation.
What are the four categories of Germany sparkling wine?
1) Sekt
2) Deutscher Sekt
3) Deutscher Sekt bA
4) Winzersekt
Besides Germany, where can fruit for Sekt be sourced from?
Anywhere within the EU where it is usually crushed before being chilled and transported to Germany.
How are Sekt wines produced?
Via the tank method.
By which two methods may Deutscher Sekt be produced?
1) Tank method
2) Traditional method
Where must fruit for Deutscher Sekt be grown?
Within Germany.
What cannot be stated on the label from a Deutscher Sekt?
Its region of origin.
Does does ‘bA’ stand for?
Bestimmter Anbaugebiete.
What is the translation of bestimmter Anbaugebiete.
A defined region.
By which two methods may Deutscher Sekt bA be produced?
1) Tank method
2) Traditional method
Where must fruit for Deutscher Sekt bA be grown?
Within one of the 13 Qualitatswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete
What’s the translation of winzersekt?
Winegrower sekt
How must a Winzersekt be produced? (5)
1) From 1/13 QbA
2) Estate-bottled
3) Estate grown fruit
4) Traditional method
5) Minimum nine months on lees.
What must appear on the label of a Winzersekt be produced? (3)
1) Vintage (85% must be of that vintage)
2) Variety (85% must be of that variety)
3) Producer’s name
Winzersekt is typically made with which variety?
Riesling.
What is Perlwein/Secco? (5)
Method of production
Pressure
Residual sugar levels x3
1) Often made using tank or carbonation
2) Semi-sparkling (1-2.5 bars)
3) Dry/trocken - up to 35 g/L r/s
4) Halbtrocken - 33-50 g/L r/s
5) Mild - >50 g/L r/s
Germany’s wine-growing climate can generally be described as what?
Cool continental.
Besides Riesling, what are the five other commonly used varieties for DS, DSBA and Winzersekt?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner
Pinot Gris
When matured on lees for longer than the minimum required for traditional method, Riesling develops what character?
A smoky note.
What might be used as dosage in premium bottlings?
Mature sweet Riesling.
What is the German term for traditional method?
Klassische/Traditionelle Flaschengärung
What are the ageing requirements for VDP.Sekt?
Min. 15 months on lees
What are the ageing requirements for VDP.Jahrgangssekt?
With a stated vintage – min. 24 months on lees
What are the ageing requirements for VDP.Sekt Prestige?
With a stated vintage - min. 36 months on lees
All VDP Sekt must adhere to Winzersekt regulations plus which two other requirements?
1) Fruit must be grown on the estate of a VDP member specifically for Sekt production
2) Hand-picked, whole cluster fermentation
What are the three VDP Sekt categories?
1) VDP.Sekt
2) VDP. Jahrgangssekt
3) VDP. Sekt Prestige
What is the English translation of Jahrgang?
Vintage
What is the difference between a bottle labelled Flaschengarung and Klassiche Flaschengarung?
Flaschengarung may be disgorged by the transfer method.
If a traditional method wine is made from Riesling in Germany does it typically go through MLC?
No so as to preserve the primary fruit
What is the minimum ABV of Sekt?
10%
What is the minimum pressure of Sekt?
3.5 atmospheres
What is the minimum period from tirage to release for tank method Sekt?
Six months with 90 days on lees reduced to 30 days if a lees stirrer is used
What is the minimum period from tirage to release for transfer method Sekt?
Three months on lees
Released for sale after nine months
What are the two quality labels for Perlwein?
1) Perlwein - fruit from anywhere in the EU
2) Qualitatsperlwein bA
What are the three price segments for Sekt?
1) Low-end, price-driven up to 4euros retail (50% of sales)
2) Standard-quality up to 8euros retail
3) High-quality commanding higher prices and growth potential
The top three Sekt producers account for what percent of production?
80%
Describe the German wine market.
Extremely price conscious with strong competition between high volume producers keeping prices low and driving sales.
The majority of Sekt is sold in supermarkets except for which style, and where is it sold?
1) Winzersekt
2) Cellar doors, specialist retailers, restaurants
