D3 Germany Flashcards
What is Liebfraumilch? Rules?
Legally defined term
Medium dry white wine of Qualitaswein level
At least 18 g/L residual sugar
Must contain at least 70% riesling, Silvaner, Muller/Thurgau and Kerner
In practice, Muller-Thurgau tends to dominate the blend
Grapes must come from one of four regions
Majority of wines come from Rheinhessen and Pfalz but some are produced in Rheingau and Nahe
What are some of the famous brand names of Liebfraumilch?
Blue nun
Black tower
By the 1980s how much of the ones on the export markets were Liebfraumilch?
60% of all German wine exports
Name two famous German Vineyards which date back to the middle ages
Schloss Johsnnisberg
Kloster Eberbach
What led to the rapid expansion of the German export market in the 16th century?
Proximity to the river Rhine. One of the most important waterways in Europe.
What led to vines being planted onto the steeper slopes in Germany?
Because of the 30 years war. The flatter Valley plains where vines had originally been planted were taken over for the more lucrative grain production, for bread and beer.
When did the wine laws based on must weight of grapes get established?
In the 1830s.
Name two Wine Institute formed in the 19th and early 20th century which have played a vital role in modernizing the German wine industry and making it one of the most technologically advanced.
Hochschule Geisenheim University (Rheingau)
Julius Kühn-Institut (Pfalz)
Why did the area under vine halve in the 50 years to 1945?
Because of phylloxera and mildew and then the two world wars
What effects did the wars have on Germany’s wine industry and wine styles?
The wars had a devastating effect on the economy and its exports.
- High volumes of inexpensive branded wines started to be produced.
- Grapes that could ripen reliably year on year such as Muller Thurgau were usually a key part of the blend
- and grapes would be sourced from multiple regions to ensure volumes
What is Flurbereinigung?
Vineyard restructuring that involved the consolidation of many small, fragmented Vineyards and the building of access roads, both aimed at increasing efficiency, making mechanize station easier and so reducing the cost of viticulture.
Which wine law (and in what year) laid the foundation for modern German one production? What did it establish?
The fifth German wine law
In 1971
Established protected geographical labeling and classification of wine styles based on must weights.
Around what latitudes do most German one regions lie?
49 to 50° north
Making them amongst the most northerly in the world
What is the general climate in the German wine regions?
Cool and continental
Which moderating influence the most German wine regions rely on?
Rivers
Most of Germany’s vineyards are situated along the river Rhine and its tributaries
What benefits do you Rivers have on the growing environment in Germany?
Radiating heat
Moderating temperature
Extending the growing season
How is the risk of frost mitigated?
By planting on steep slopes by the rivers.
When does most of the rain fall in Germany? What does that mean for grape growing?
In summer
Increase in the risk of fungal disease
Dilution of grapes
Hail
And why are the long and dry autumns important?
Because they allow for long ripening periods during which grapes can develop the high levels of natural sugar required for Prädikstswein.
What allows botrytis to develop?
Early morning mist along the rivers
Name two important mountains. What do they provide?
Taunus
Haardt
They provide shelter to the Vineyard areas from cold winds and the worst of the rain
Which German wine region is very different in terms of growing climate?
Baden
It is further south, stretching towards the Swiss border
Noticeably dryer, warmer and sunnier
What type of soil is found in the Mosel and Ahr? Why is this important?
Dark colored slate
It retains heat during the day and radiates it out again at night, helping with ripening
Where can significant pockets of calcareous soils be found? Which grape varieties are usually planted on these?
Baden
Pfalz
Rheinhessen
Spätburgunder
Weissburgunder
Chardonnay
Silvaner (in Franken)
What type of soil does Grauburgunder prefer?
Heavier clay soils
Why are there high costs involved with Vineyard maintenance?
Because of soil erosion
Owners are regularly forced to winch soil and rocks back up the slopes
What are the average Yields in regions like Rheinhessen and Pfalz? For Deutscher Wein? For Qualitätswein?
Over 100 hL/ha
150 hL/ha
105 hL/ha
What has led to vintage variation reducing in recent years?
Climate change
What has led to improved ripening over recent years?
- Significant advances in Vineyard management techniques, led by various research institutes
- Better clonal selection, especially amongst black grapes varieties
- Summer pruning
- Green harvesting
- Selective hand harvesting
Why is good canopy management essential?
Maximize sun exposure
Improve air circulation in order to reduce the risk of disease caused by the wet summers
On slopes, how were vines traditionally trained? Why is this changing? What is it changing to?
Staked individually with canes tied at the top
Method is labor-intensive and requires skills which are gradually being lost
As a result of flurbereinigung, all but the steepest Vineyards now use single and double replacement can pruning with VSP trellising or Pendelbogen
Describe Pendelbogen. Why is it used?
Replacement cane pruning with the canes arched in the trellis.
The arching of the canes is thought to improve the flow of sap in the van and increase the number of viable buds, intern increasing Yields
what percentage of vineyards are certified organic? Why isn’t it higher?
9%
Germany is not widely suited to organic and biodynamic viticulture. Because of the risk of disease, growers still have to spray their crops regularly. In steep areas like Mosel sometimes helicopters have to be used for spraying which would drift on the neighboring Vineyards.
What grape variety is grown on the steepest slopes? Why?
Riesling
-Mechanization is difficult or even impossible
-In some cases, so steep that equipment and workers have to be winched up and down
All of this increases cost significantly
-Often only riesling can command appropriate sustainable prices.
Why are labor costs often higher than in other wine producing regions, other than because of steep slopes?
- German wine law requires grapes for Beerenauslese level and above to be hand harvested
- Many producers still hand harvest for other Prädikstswein to ensure healthy, fully ripe fruit
Why has quality of red wines increased significantly?
Better clones (particularly Dornfelder and Spätburgunder)
Better vineyard management
Better one making techniques
Increasing temperatures
Do grape varieties need to be stated on the labels?
No, but they usually are.
List the top seven grape varieties grown in Germany.
Riesling Mueller-Thurgau spätburgunder Dornfelder Grauburgunder Weissburgunder Silvaner
Why has Riesling been so successful?
- It can survive the cold German winters
- It is late budding with thick wood so it is relatively frost resistant
- It can produce high-quality wines in a full range of styles, from dry to sweet
- It retains high acidity even when fully ripe, which provides balance in sweet wines and ageability
- susceptible to botrytis, so ideal for sweet wines
What are the disadvantages of Riesling, or things that make it difficult?
It is late ripening and needs good sun exposure and dry items
Cooler years and cooler sites it may not ripen fully
Why did plantings of Riesling fall in the 1970s and 80s?
Because growers turned to the more reliable German crosses which could readily achieve the must weights required by law.
What has led to more consistency of ripening of riesling and to plantings of Riesling to recover and continue to grow?
Improved Vineyard management techniques
Rising temperatures
What is a synonym of Müller Thurgau?
Rivaner
Why was Muller-Thurgau an attractive grape variety? What was it widely used for in the 1970s and 80s?
It’s earlier ripening then riesling
Can produce high-yields in almost any conditions
Was widely used in inexpensive blends such as Liebfraumilch
Why have plantings of Muller Thurgau more than halved?
As the popularity of wines like Liebfraumilch have fallen
It has much lower acidity then riesling
Gives ones with less structure and character
Describe a typical one made with Muller Thurgau
Generally medium acidity
Wines with a tractive but relatively simple floral and fruity aromas for early drinking
What is Germany’s most planted black grapes? In which region does it particularly thrive?
Spätburgunder
Warmer areas such as Baden
What can reduce the need for new oak in the production of Spätburgunder?
The use of whole bunches in the fermentation
The tenants from the stems contribute to tenants without needing new Oak.
What is the most significant of the black German crosses?
Dornfelder
What 2 styles of wine does Dornfelder produce?
Deep colour
High acid
Fruity and floral
Fruity easy drinking sometimes with residual sugar, sour cherry, blackberry
More complex, age worthy, from lower yields with greater focus on tannins and structure, fermented or aged in oak.
In which regions has Dornfelder been particularly successful?
Rheinhessen
Pfalz
It’s most planted black grape, ahead of Spätburgunder
What are the characteristics of wines made with Silvaner?
Lower in acid and less aromatic than Riesling
Large amounts of simple, inexpensive wines
Subtle fruit aromas ranging from green to tropical
Which region produces high quality silvaner from lower yields? Describe the wines.
Franken
Dry, medium bodied, medium to medium plus acidity and distinctive earthy characteristic
Which 2 varieties have now overtaken plantings of Silvaner, as they have grown in popularity since the 1990s. Where are there good size plantings?
Grauburgunder
Weissburgunder
Baden
Also Rheinhessen and Pfalz
What are sweeter wines from Grauburgunder often labeled as?
Ruländer
Since when has Chardonnay been allowed in Germany? Where are quality examples being produced?
1990
Warmer areas such as
southern Pfalz
Kaiserstuhl in Baden
Name 4 less widely planted varieties which produce mainly simple fruity wines for drinking young. Especially from where? Higher quality examples made where?
Portugieser
Scwarztriesling (Pinot Meunier)
Trollinger (Schiava)
Lemberger (Blaufränkisch)
Württemberg
What was one of the earliest German crosses? When?
Müller-Thurgau
1880s
When did the number of new crossings increase rapidly? Why?
Mid 20th Century
Drive for producing high yields of grapes with high must weights was encouraged by German wine laws.
Which 2 German crosses have proved themselves as producing good quality wines?
Scheurebe
Kerner
Describe wine made from Scheurebe.
Full body
Intense aromas ripe grapefruit and peach
Lower acid than Riesling but still high enough for aging and some high quality sweet wine
Describe wine made with Kerner.
High acid
Some of the fruity and floral characteristics of Riesling
Who has driven a lot of the research and development in both the Winery and the Vineyard?
- The country’s research institute
- Winemakers gaining experience from elsewhere in the world
What has helped some winemakers return to a more traditional one making methods? Such as natural fermentation, reduced filtration and finding.
Better harvests and healthy, ripe grapes
Are the musts in Germany enriched?
Yes, it is relatively common practice.
It is not permitted for Prädikstswein.
Most regions allowed up to 3% abv
Baden 2% abv
But becoming increasingly rare outside of bulk wine production
Is acidification or de-acidification permitted?
Yes for both
De-acidification only in the hottest years
Only tends to be for high volume, inexpensive wines.
What were German wines traditionally fermented in? Why?
In large old oak tasks to allow for some oxygenation
Name some of the traditional casks found around Germany’s wine regions.
Fuder
1000 L
Mosel
Stück
Oval shape
1200L
Used along the Rhine
What oak is used in the barrels of Germany?
German oak, especially from Pfalz, for larger vessels. Also from Central Europe.
French common for smaller vessels like barriques.
What vessels have become the norm for fermentation in the last few decades?
Stainless steel.
For what type of wines is stainless steel used for fermentation?
Inexpensive wines where east of temperature control and cleaning are important as well as the ability to purchase extremely large vessels.
Also, it does not introduce any oxygen or at any flavors, so still a common choice for mid priced a premium riesling to maintain primary flavours.
When is new oak used?
Not for riesling
In smaller barriques for red ones as well as Grauburgunder, weissburgunder and Chardonnay
What is süssreserve? Rules of production?
Unfermented or partially fermented grapes must.
Must be produced from grapes of the same region and the same quality level as the one to which it is added.
Common for it to come from the same must. Producers take a small proportion of must pray for mentation, clarify, chill and protect it with S02 so it remains fresh, and then add this must back to the fermented one to create the desired level is sweetness.
In the 1960s and 1970s, how are ones made sweet? (Except for maybe the finest ones with residual sugar).
Wines were initially fermented to dryness but then sweetness post fermentation, even at Prädikstswein level. This was done by the addition of sis reserve
Other than sweetening the wines, what other impact can süssreserve have on the wine?
It can reduce the alcohol, depending on the volume added. This is because süssreserve contains minimal or no alcohol.
But it is thought to give less balanced wines.
How do you quality conscious winemakers produce sweet wines?
By stopping the fermentation with S02 when the desired level of sweetness is attained. Then racking or filtering.
For what level of wine is RCGM allowed?
Deutscher Wein
Name the different methods of obtaining sweet wines in Germany.
- Stopping fermentation with S02 then racking or filtering
- Adding sussreserve to the fermented one before bottling
- Sweetening with RCGM
- Using grapes with such high must weights that fermentation will stop naturally because of high sugar levels
What levels of alcohol are often found in ones with very high must weights? For example BA, TBA and eiswein?
Between 5.5 and 8% ABV
In the past, what was sweetness often used for?
To mask high acidity and bitterness from under ripe grapes.
How are inexpensive red wines design for early consumption often fermented? Why?
Using thermovinification.
For the quick extraction of color and flavor.
The one can then be fermented off the skins to produce a fruity red with low tannins.
Typically not oak matured.
How are higher quality red wines, most particularly Pinot Noir, fermented?
Cold maceration is typical.
Whole bunch fermentation
Maturation in Oak
Is much rose wine produced in Germany?
Relatively small
Almost 11% of domestic sales
Tend to be sold domestically and at inexpensive price points, often below the price of whites and reds.
What is the fundamental principle of German wine law?
Classifying Grapes according to their must weight at harvest
There are other rules regarding grape growing or one making. But there are very limited restrictions on yields.
What are the four quality levels of German one in increasing order of must weight?
Deutscher Wein (4% of production)
Landwein (tiny percentage of production)
Qualitätswein
Prädikstswein (usually about half of production volume compared to Qualitätswein, but in best vintages, can be around the same)
What are the rules around Deutscher Wein?
- Covers wine without a geographical indication
- Made exclusively from grapes grown in Germany
- Must be between 8.5% and 15% ABV
- Can be produced in any style
- enrichment permitted
What are the rules around Landwein?
- At least 85% of the grapes must originate in the Landwein region named on the label
- 8.5% to 15% ABV
- can only be produced in a trocken or halbttocken style in most regions
- enrichment permitted
- German equivalent of PGI
What are the rules around Qualitätswein?
- Less stringent regulations than that of Prädikstswein
- Grapes must come exclusively from one of 13 designated quality wine regions Anbaugebiete
- Name of the Anbaugebiete must appear on the label
- can be made in all styles
- Minimum alcohol level is lower at 7% ABV to allow for sweeter wines
- No maximum alcohol level
- Enrichment is permitted
What are the rules around Prädikstswein?
- Grapes must come exclusively from a Bereich, one of 40 recognized wine producing districts, smaller than Anbaugebiete
- The name of the Bereich does not need to be on the label
- Name of the Anbaugebiete must be on the label
- Wines produced from grapes with the highest must weights
- Enrichment is not permitted
- Can be produced from any grape variety although particularly associated with riesling
What does the word Prädikat mean?
Distinction
Name the six Prädik levels.
Kabinett Spätlese Auslese Beerenauslese Eiswein Trockenbeerenauslese
Style of wine and alcohol levels for Kabinett?
Produced from the grapes with the lowest must weights
Lightest in body and highest in acid
Can be dry to medium sweet
Those with RS can have alcohol levels as low as 7% ABV
Legal minimum 7% ABV
Dry wines can reach 12% ABV
Light bodied with high acidity and aromas of cream and citrus fruit
Style of wine and alcohol level for Spätlese?
- Produced from fully ripened grapes, usually picked about two weeks later than Kabinett
- More concentration of riper fruit flavors
- Typically stone fruits
- Slightly higher alcohol levels at comparable levels of RS and fuller body than Kabinett
- Can range from dry to sweet
- Minimum abv 7 percent
Describe the style and minimum alcohol of Auslese.
- Made from specially selected, extra ripe bunches of grapes
- Even riper and more concentrated flavors than spätlese
- Often have honey characteristics
- Some of the grapes may have been affected by botrytis
- Last category of wine which can be dry
- Balance of sweetness and acidity that gives them potential for long bottle edging
- Minimum alcohol is 7% ABV, which might be the case for the sweeter styles of wines
How are the grapes harvested for Auslese?
Can be done by machine as hand harvesting is not compulsory
Although bunches should be carefully selected, sorting can be done by hand at the winery after machine harvesting.
Which Prädikstswein category covers a particularly wide must weight range and producers will also sometimes use additional labeling term to indicate sweetness level?
Auslese
How are the grapes harvested for Beerenauslese? Why?
By hand
Because the wines are made from individually selected berries
Describe the style of wines labeled Beerenauslese. Minimum alcohol level?
Always sweet
Low levels of alcohol
Minimum alcohol level is 5.5% ABV
No need for berries to be botrytized but it is typical
With riesling, typical flavors are very ripe and dried stone fruit
Why are Beerenauslese wines expensive?
Only produced in years with suitable conditions
Made in very small quantities
Yields are very low
Wines are very labor-intensive to produce
The wines are therefore rare
When was eiswein given its own Prädikat category?
1982
At what temperature must eiswein be picked? When does this take place?
-7°C
Any time from December (or occasionally November) to February of the following year
What are some of the risks associated with eiswein production or things that make them rare and expensive?
Crop can be lost to either disease or predators while waiting for them to freeze
Low yields
Conditions aren’t right every year
Which Prädikat category can only be made from grapes which have been affected by botrytis? Why?
Trockenbeerenauslese
Because the required must weights are so high, they can only be achieved with grapes affected by botrytis
Fermentation and alcohol levels of TBA?
High must weights mean fermentation is long and slow and rarely continues beyond 8% ABV
What are the German labeling terms relating to levels of sweetness? What are the RS levels for each?
- Trocken (Maximum 4 g/L, or up to 9 g/L where RS does not exceed total acidity by more than 2 g/L)
- Halbttocken (4-12 g/L, or up to 18 g/L where RS does not exceed total acidity by more than 10 g/L)
- Lieblich (12 to 45 g/L)
- Süss (more than 45g/l)
Explain how to wines labeled with the same sweetness labeling term can sometimes taste quite different.
Because the labeling term is based on the level of RS and not necessarily based on how dry or sweet the wine tastes. High acid riesling will taste dryer then Müller Thurgau with same amount of RS because of the difference in acidity.
In which types of regions are trocken wines most widely seen?
In warmer regions, for example in Baden.
Which sweetness category has been dropping in popularity in recent years? Why?
Halbtrocken
Potential negative connotations.
How are many halbttocken wines being labeled now?
feinherb (fine dry)
What is feinherb?
A labeling term which is not defined by law.
Used for wines which fall within the legal definition of halbtrocken but also extends to those with slightly higher levels of RS
Used instead of halbtrocken because it doesn’t have a negative connotation
What is Goldkapsel?
Translates to gold capsule
Designates wines that are characterized by botrytis
In some cases, a shorter capsule indicates wines with higher levels of concentration than what is expected of Auslese and longer capsule a further level above that
When was the precise boundaries of all German vineyards established?
In 1971 along with the wine laws
What is a Bereiche?
A wine producing district
What is an Einzellage?
An individual Vineyard site (which sits within a Bereiche)
There are over 2000 of these
They range in size from less than one hectare to over 200 ha, but the average is around 38 ha.
Most of them are split between a number of different owners
What is a Grosslage?
Collective Vineyard site
Much larger than Einzellagen
There are 167 registered
Which levels of German wine can have the Einzellage or Grosselage named on the label? What other rule is there relating to labeling when it comes to having the name of these on the label?
Only Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein
They usually have to be preceded by the name of the village where the Vineyard or vineyards are located. This is unless the name of the property is so well knowing that it is officially allowed not to
As well as Einzellage and Grosslage, what can now be registered and added to the name of the Bereich in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz?
The names of individual plots within a vineyard site
What does VDP stand for?
Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter
What is the VDP? What do they do?
Founded by a group of producer from Rheingau, rheinhessen, Pfalz and Mosele
Wanted to promote wines made without must enrichments
Focus on a higher standard than Prädikstswein for their members
Have 200 members across all of Germany’s main producing regions
Split into a number of regional associations
They have established stricter regulations regarding great growing in one making then those imposed by the German one laws
This includes lower maximum Yields, higher minimum must weights and growing predominantly the traditional grape varieties for their particular region
Members must abide by the rules and they are audited by the VDP every five years
They encourage sustainable viticulture
How must VDP dry wines be labeled?
Qualitätswein trocken
Prädikat level wines of VDP members dry or sweet?
Sweet. Predicate levels are to be used only for wines with residual sweetness
What are the four categories of VDP wines?
VDP Gutswein
VDP Ortswein
VDP Erste Lage
VDP Grosse Lage
What is VDP Gutswein?
Regional wines, similar in style to generic or regional Wines in Burgundy.
They originate from a member’s holdings within a particular region
Maximum Yields 75 hL/Ha
What is VDP Osterwein?
The equivalent of a Village Wines in Burgundy
Produced from grape varieties that are typical of their region
Maximum Yields 75 hL/Ha
What is VDP Erste Lage?
- Designated first class vineyards with distinctive characteristics
- Equivalent to burgundy premier cru
- Excellent quality wines with aging potential
- More stringent grape growing and winemaking regulations
- Only grape varieties which the local Association has deemed to be best suited to a particular site
- Maximum yield 60 hL/ha
- Hand harvesting
- Must be at least ripe enough to qualify for Spätlese
- Must be produced using traditional winemaking techniques
- Name of Village and Vineyard must appear on the label
What is VDP Grosse Lage?
- Equivalent to burgundy grand cru
- Determined to be best parcels in the best vineyards
- Parcels have been narrowly demarcated by the local associations
- Qualities of parcels are discernible in the finished wines
- Wines should be outstanding quality with long aging potential
- Maximum Yields 50 hL/Ha
- Choice of variety is more restricted, varies depending on Anbaugebiete (Riesling in all, but only botrytis in Ahr, Spätburgunder in all but Mosel and Nahe)
- Red wines at least 12 months aging in Oak
- Dry white and dry red not released until first September in the year after harvest
- Sweeter Prädikat may be released on first of May following harvest
If one is made from grapes grown in VDP Grosse Lage, what appears on the label? What else appears on the label?
GG
Stands for Grosses Gewächs but those words can’t be on the label.
Only the name of the Vineyard appears on the label and not the village, similar to grand cru in burgundy
What is the Rheingau Charta?
Introduced in 1984
To promote dry wines from best Vineyard sites in Rheingau
What labeling term is used for the Rheingau Charta sites? What are the rules?
Erstes Gewächs
- Legally protected term for wines made from best sites in Rheingau
- only Riesling or Spätburgunder
- hand picked
- low yielding vineyards
- Dry
- Minimum must weight equivalent to spätlese
- can now label GG because members of the Charta joined the VDP
What happened with the Rheingau Charta in 1999?
Members joined the VDP in Rheingau
Those who previously used Erstes Gewächs on their labels can now use GG
Name Germany’s top 9 Anbaugebiete in order if size of production.
Rheinhessen Pfalz Baden Württemberg Mosel Franken Rheingau Ahr
Which 4 regions are responsible for 80% of Germany’s wind production?
Rheinhessen
Pfalz
Baden
Württemberg
Climate in Rheinhessen? Why?
Warm and dry
Sheltered by mountain ranges like Hunsrük a d Taunus
Where are most vineyards planted in Rheinhessen? Why?
On the warm, fertile valley floor
Ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive wines
Where did Liebfraumilch originate?
Worms, in southern Rheinhessen
Most planted grape varieties in Rheinhessen? Whites? Red?
Riesling Müller-Thurgau + other crosses (inexpensive blends) Silvaner Grauburgunder Weissburgunder
Dornfelder (over double of Spätburgunder)
Dominant type of production and producers in both Rheinhessen and Pfalz?
Bulk production dominates
Majority of production under the control of merchant houses
Quality production dominated by small Estates and a number of co-ops
Which area in rheinhessen has establishing a product a reputation for producing high-quality wines? Why is it high quality?
Rheinterrasse
Stretch of steeply sloping vineyards on West Bank of river, so east facing aspect means warming morning sun
Moderating influence from Rhine = evening and autumn temperatures are warmer than those away from river so better ripening
Name the strip of vineyards within Rheinterrasse which is particularly reputed for quality wines. Soils? Distinguishing characteristic of the wines here?
Roter Hang
around Nierstein and Nackenheim
Rotliegenden
Iron rich red soil consisting of slate, clay and sandstone
Smoky
Which region is not centered around a river valley?
Pfalz
Topography and growing climate of Pfalz?
Squeezed between Haardt Mountains to the west and the Rhein plain to the east.
Region runs north from Alsace
Haardt are continuation of Vosges. Similar rain shadow effect.
Driest German wine producing area. Only one where drought can be a concern.
Main grape varieties in Pfalz?
White 65% Riesling Muller Thurgau Grauburgunder Weissbergunder
Dornfelder most planted black variety and second overall
Also significant plantings of Spartanburgunder
Name of the area where most renowned Vineyards are located in Pfalz?
Mittelhaardt in the northern part of Pfalz
What contributes to the production of ripe, full-bodied riesling in northern part of Pfalz?
South or east facing steeply sloping Vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt mountains
Maximum sunshine
Protected from winds
What is the name of the area in the south of Pfalz? Traditionally an area for what style of wine production? Soils?
Südliche Weinstrasse
Traditionally an area for inexpensive wine production.
More fertile sandstone
What has led to an increase in quality in the wines from the south of Pfalz? What grape varieties? Why those grape varieties?
A new generation of winemakers
Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and weissburgunder
Southern part of Pfalz, just like Alsace, has experienced periods of both French and German rule, and is one reason, alongside suitable climatic factors, that Pinot grapes continues to be common in this area.
Name 4 Bereich of the Baden region.
Ortenau
Breisgau
Kaiserstuhl
Tuniberg
Where is the Baden wine region located?
On the eastern side of the Rhine River, opposite Alsace.
What makes Baden Germany’s warmest, sunniest and driest wine producing region?
The rain shadow of the Vosges mountains
Relatively southerly latitude
What is Baden best known for?
Its red wine
Spätburgunder is the most planted variety
Those produced in Baden or amongst Germany’s best
Why do Baden’s Spätburgunder Wines come in a variety of styles? Describe the styles.
Because of Baden’s varied soils and microclimates
Around Kaiserstuhl:
Steep, south facing slopes
Fullest body ones with high alcohol and complex, smoky ripe fruit flavors
Ortenau (cooler)
Tuniberg and Breisgau (Significant pockets of calcareous soil)
Wines have more acidity in more delicate fruit flavors
Other than red wines, production in Baden?
59% of Baden’s plantings are white
Warm, dry condition make Baden ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive blends with Müller-Thurgau (second most planted)
Also building reputation for avery good Graubergunder, Weissbergunder and Chardonnay, often matured in Oak
Riesling only a very small area in Baden but some high-quality, fuller bodied wines
Types of businesses responsible for production of wine in Baden?
Co-ops are 75% of production
But also many small Estates
Where is Württemberg located?
To the east of Baden and south of Franken
Around Stuttgart
Style of wine mainly produced in Württemberg? Other style increasingly being produced?
Light, fruity red wines which are mostly consumed on the domestic market
Vast majority by co-op (Möglingen)
Fuller bodied with riper fruit flavors, higher alcohol increasingly being produced particularly from lemberger, often with oak aging.
Point of difference in export market for Württemberg?
Most planted black varieties are:
Trollinger
Lemberger
Schwarzriesling
Percentage of Mosel plantings that are white? Main variety?
90% of plantings are white
Riesling over 60% on its own
Where are the best vineyards located in Mosel?
Steep, south facing slopes overlooking the Mosel River
This is for best sun exposure
And to a much smaller extend the reflections from the river
Soil’s in the Mosel? Why are they important?
Dark colored slate
Radiate heat
Three sections of the Mosel?
Upper Mosel
Middle Mosel
Lower Mosel
Which area of the Mosel is the largest and is home to the majority of the best vineyards? Name some of these Vineyards with their respective Village name.
Middle Mosel
Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
Berkastel (Doctor)
Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
Describe a typical Mosel riesling.
Paler in color, lighter in body, with lower alcohol and higher acidity than those from elsewhere and with pronounced a floral and green fruit aromas
Strong reputation for producing sweeter styles in the Prädikstswein categories
What gives the rieslings of the Mosel potential for long bottle aging
Balance of acidity in flavor intensity
In which region are winters almost always cold enough to produce eiswein?
Mosel
Why are the wines in Mosel usually the most expensive in Germany?
Because of the topography of the steepest sites
Rieslings tend to be a very good quality which increases price
Low yield required for some of the sweetest winds
Different types of slate soils in Mosel?
The slate soils come in different colors
Grey, blue, brown and red
Producers are increasingly interested in how subtle differences can influence the characteristics and aromas of their wines
Discuss less expensive ones in Mosel.
Flatter sites, for example around Piesport
Used for producing less complex, inexpensive wines
Especially from Müller-Thurgau
Most of this is bottled by the regions merchant houses
Who is the worlds largest producer of Riesling?
Mosel land co-operative in Bernkastel
What is F.W. Langguth?
A large wine company in the Mosel who source wine for the large Erben and Blue Nun brands from other parts of Germany and other countries.
Name the two valleys also incorporated in the Mosel wine region.
Saar
Ruwer
Both tributaries of the Mosel
Where are the best vineyards located for the Saar and Ruwer valleys?
In the sheltered side valleys of these Rivers
South, south east and south west aspects
Why can acidity levels be even higher in the ones of the Saar and Ruwer?
Slightly higher altitude means temperatures are a little lower and acidity levels in the wines can be even higher
Which German wine region has the most continental climate of the country? What does that mean for the growing conditions and hazards?
Franken
Warmer summers but a shorter growing season with cooler autumns and harsh winters
Spring frost or a particular hazard
Dominant color of the grapes in Franken? Most planted grape variety?
82% of plantings are white
Most planted variety is Müller-Thurgau
What happened with the Rheingau Charta in 1999?
Members joined the VDP in Rheingau
Those who previously used Erstes Gewächs on their labels can now use GG
Name Germany’s top 9 Anbaugebiete in order if size of production.
Rheinhessen Pfalz Baden Württemberg Mosel Franken Rheingau Ahr
Which 4 regions are responsible for 80% of Germany’s wind production?
Rheinhessen
Pfalz
Baden
Württemberg
Climate in Rheinhessen? Why?
Warm and dry
Sheltered by mountain ranges like Hunsrük a d Taunus
Where are most vineyards planted in Rheinhessen? Why?
On the warm, fertile valley floor
Ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive wines
Where did Liebfraumilch originate?
Worms, in southern Rheinhessen
Most planted grape varieties in Rheinhessen? Whites? Red?
Riesling Müller-Thurgau + other crosses (inexpensive blends) Silvaner Grauburgunder Weissburgunder
Dornfelder (over double of Spätburgunder)
Dominant type of production and producers in both Rheinhessen and Pfalz?
Bulk production dominates
Majority of production under the control of merchant houses
Quality production dominated by small Estates and a number of co-ops
Which area in rheinhessen has establishing a product a reputation for producing high-quality wines? Why is it high quality?
Rheinterrasse
Stretch of steeply sloping vineyards on West Bank of river, so east facing aspect means warming morning sun
Moderating influence from Rhine = evening and autumn temperatures are warmer than those away from river so better ripening
Name the strip of vineyards within Rheinterrasse which is particularly reputed for quality wines. Soils? Distinguishing characteristic of the wines here?
Roter Hang
around Nierstein and Nackenheim
Rotliegenden
Iron rich red soil consisting of slate, clay and sandstone
Smoky
Which region is not centered around a river valley?
Pfalz
Topography and growing climate of Pfalz?
Squeezed between Haardt Mountains to the west and the Rhein plain to the east.
Region runs north from Alsace
Haardt are continuation of Vosges. Similar rain shadow effect.
Driest German wine producing area. Only one where drought can be a concern.
Main grape varieties in Pfalz?
White 65% Riesling Muller Thurgau Grauburgunder Weissbergunder
Dornfelder most planted black variety and second overall
Also significant plantings of Spartanburgunder
Name of the area where most renowned Vineyards are located in Pfalz?
Mittelhaardt in the northern part of Pfalz
What contributes to the production of ripe, full-bodied riesling in northern part of Pfalz?
South or east facing steeply sloping Vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt mountains
Maximum sunshine
Protected from winds
What is the name of the area in the south of Pfalz? Traditionally an area for what style of wine production? Soils?
Südliche Weinstrasse
Traditionally an area for inexpensive wine production.
More fertile sandstone
What has led to an increase in quality in the wines from the south of Pfalz? What grape varieties? Why those grape varieties?
A new generation of winemakers
Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and weissburgunder
Southern part of Pfalz, just like Alsace, has experienced periods of both French and German rule, and is one reason, alongside suitable climatic factors, that Pinot grapes continues to be common in this area.
Name 4 Bereich of the Baden region.
Ortenau
Breisgau
Kaiserstuhl
Tuniberg
Where is the Baden wine region located?
On the eastern side of the Rhine River, opposite Alsace.
What makes Baden Germany’s warmest, sunniest and driest wine producing region?
The rain shadow of the Vosges mountains
Relatively southerly latitude
What is Baden best known for?
Its red wine
Spätburgunder is the most planted variety
Those produced in Baden or amongst Germany’s best
Why do Baden’s Spätburgunder Wines come in a variety of styles? Describe the styles.
Because of Baden’s varied soils and microclimates
Around Kaiserstuhl:
Steep, south facing slopes
Fullest body ones with high alcohol and complex, smoky ripe fruit flavors
Ortenau (cooler)
Tuniberg and Breisgau (Significant pockets of calcareous soil)
Wines have more acidity in more delicate fruit flavors
Other than red wines, production in Baden?
59% of Baden’s plantings are white
Warm, dry condition make Baden ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive blends with Müller-Thurgau (second most planted)
Also building reputation for avery good Graubergunder, Weissbergunder and Chardonnay, often matured in Oak
Riesling only a very small area in Baden but some high-quality, fuller bodied wines
Types of businesses responsible for production of wine in Baden?
Co-ops are 75% of production
But also many small Estates
Where is Württemberg located?
To the east of Baden and south of Franken
Around Stuttgart
Style of wine mainly produced in Württemberg? Other style increasingly being produced?
Light, fruity red wines which are mostly consumed on the domestic market
Vast majority by co-op (Möglingen)
Fuller bodied with riper fruit flavors, higher alcohol increasingly being produced particularly from lemberger, often with oak aging.
Point of difference in export market for Württemberg?
Most planted black varieties are:
Trollinger
Lemberger
Schwarzriesling
Percentage of Mosel plantings that are white? Main variety?
90% of plantings are white
Riesling over 60% on its own
Where are the best vineyards located in Mosel?
Steep, south facing slopes overlooking the Mosel River
This is for best sun exposure
And to a much smaller extend the reflections from the river
Soil’s in the Mosel? Why are they important?
Dark colored slate
Radiate heat
Three sections of the Mosel?
Upper Mosel
Middle Mosel
Lower Mosel
Which area of the Mosel is the largest and is home to the majority of the best vineyards? Name some of these Vineyards with their respective Village name.
Middle Mosel
Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
Berkastel (Doctor)
Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
Describe a typical Mosel riesling.
Paler in color, lighter in body, with lower alcohol and higher acidity than those from elsewhere and with pronounced a floral and green fruit aromas
Strong reputation for producing sweeter styles in the Prädikstswein categories
What gives the rieslings of the Mosel potential for long bottle aging
Balance of acidity in flavor intensity
In which region are winters almost always cold enough to produce eiswein?
Mosel
Why are the wines in Mosel usually the most expensive in Germany?
Because of the topography of the steepest sites
Rieslings tend to be a very good quality which increases price
Low yield required for some of the sweetest winds
Different types of slate soils in Mosel?
The slate soils come in different colors
Grey, blue, brown and red
Producers are increasingly interested in how subtle differences can influence the characteristics and aromas of their wines
Discuss less expensive ones in Mosel.
Flatter sites, for example around Piesport
Used for producing less complex, inexpensive wines
Especially from Müller-Thurgau
Most of this is bottled by the regions merchant houses
Who is the worlds largest producer of Riesling?
Mosel land co-operative in Bernkastel
What is F.W. Langguth?
A large wine company in the Mosel who source wine for the large Erben and Blue Nun brands from other parts of Germany and other countries.
Name the two valleys also incorporated in the Mosel wine region.
Saar
Ruwer
Both tributaries of the Mosel
Where are the best vineyards located for the Saar and Ruwer valleys?
In the sheltered side valleys of these Rivers
South, south east and south west aspects
Why can acidity levels be even higher in the ones of the Saar and Ruwer?
Slightly higher altitude means temperatures are a little lower and acidity levels in the wines can be even higher
Which German wine region has the most continental climate of the country? What does that mean for the growing conditions and hazards?
Franken
Warmer summers but a shorter growing season with cooler autumns and harsh winters
Spring frost or a particular hazard
Dominant color of the grapes in Franken? Most planted grape variety?
82% of plantings are white
Most planted variety is Müller-Thurgau
What happened with the Rheingau Charta in 1999?
Members joined the VDP in Rheingau
Those who previously used Erstes Gewächs on their labels can now use GG
Name Germany’s top 9 Anbaugebiete in order if size of production.
Rheinhessen Pfalz Baden Württemberg Mosel Franken Rheingau Ahr
Which 4 regions are responsible for 80% of Germany’s wind production?
Rheinhessen
Pfalz
Baden
Württemberg
Climate in Rheinhessen? Why?
Warm and dry
Sheltered by mountain ranges like Hunsrük a d Taunus
Where are most vineyards planted in Rheinhessen? Why?
On the warm, fertile valley floor
Ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive wines
Where did Liebfraumilch originate?
Worms, in southern Rheinhessen
Most planted grape varieties in Rheinhessen? Whites? Red?
Riesling Müller-Thurgau + other crosses (inexpensive blends) Silvaner Grauburgunder Weissburgunder
Dornfelder (over double of Spätburgunder)
Dominant type of production and producers in both Rheinhessen and Pfalz?
Bulk production dominates
Majority of production under the control of merchant houses
Quality production dominated by small Estates and a number of co-ops
Which area in rheinhessen has establishing a product a reputation for producing high-quality wines? Why is it high quality?
Rheinterrasse
Stretch of steeply sloping vineyards on West Bank of river, so east facing aspect means warming morning sun
Moderating influence from Rhine = evening and autumn temperatures are warmer than those away from river so better ripening
Name the strip of vineyards within Rheinterrasse which is particularly reputed for quality wines. Soils? Distinguishing characteristic of the wines here?
Roter Hang
around Nierstein and Nackenheim
Rotliegenden
Iron rich red soil consisting of slate, clay and sandstone
Smoky
Which region is not centered around a river valley?
Pfalz
Topography and growing climate of Pfalz?
Squeezed between Haardt Mountains to the west and the Rhein plain to the east.
Region runs north from Alsace
Haardt are continuation of Vosges. Similar rain shadow effect.
Driest German wine producing area. Only one where drought can be a concern.
Main grape varieties in Pfalz?
White 65% Riesling Muller Thurgau Grauburgunder Weissbergunder
Dornfelder most planted black variety and second overall
Also significant plantings of Spartanburgunder
Name of the area where most renowned Vineyards are located in Pfalz?
Mittelhaardt in the northern part of Pfalz
What contributes to the production of ripe, full-bodied riesling in northern part of Pfalz?
South or east facing steeply sloping Vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt mountains
Maximum sunshine
Protected from winds
What is the name of the area in the south of Pfalz? Traditionally an area for what style of wine production? Soils?
Südliche Weinstrasse
Traditionally an area for inexpensive wine production.
More fertile sandstone
What has led to an increase in quality in the wines from the south of Pfalz? What grape varieties? Why those grape varieties?
A new generation of winemakers
Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and weissburgunder
Southern part of Pfalz, just like Alsace, has experienced periods of both French and German rule, and is one reason, alongside suitable climatic factors, that Pinot grapes continues to be common in this area.
Name 4 Bereich of the Baden region.
Ortenau
Breisgau
Kaiserstuhl
Tuniberg
Where is the Baden wine region located?
On the eastern side of the Rhine River, opposite Alsace.
What makes Baden Germany’s warmest, sunniest and driest wine producing region?
The rain shadow of the Vosges mountains
Relatively southerly latitude
What is Baden best known for?
Its red wine
Spätburgunder is the most planted variety
Those produced in Baden or amongst Germany’s best
Why do Baden’s Spätburgunder Wines come in a variety of styles? Describe the styles.
Because of Baden’s varied soils and microclimates
Around Kaiserstuhl:
Steep, south facing slopes
Fullest body ones with high alcohol and complex, smoky ripe fruit flavors
Ortenau (cooler)
Tuniberg and Breisgau (Significant pockets of calcareous soil)
Wines have more acidity in more delicate fruit flavors
Other than red wines, production in Baden?
59% of Baden’s plantings are white
Warm, dry condition make Baden ideal for production of high volume, inexpensive blends with Müller-Thurgau (second most planted)
Also building reputation for avery good Graubergunder, Weissbergunder and Chardonnay, often matured in Oak
Riesling only a very small area in Baden but some high-quality, fuller bodied wines
Types of businesses responsible for production of wine in Baden?
Co-ops are 75% of production
But also many small Estates
Where is Württemberg located?
To the east of Baden and south of Franken
Around Stuttgart
Style of wine mainly produced in Württemberg? Other style increasingly being produced?
Light, fruity red wines which are mostly consumed on the domestic market
Vast majority by co-op (Möglingen)
Fuller bodied with riper fruit flavors, higher alcohol increasingly being produced particularly from lemberger, often with oak aging.
Point of difference in export market for Württemberg?
Most planted black varieties are:
Trollinger
Lemberger
Schwarzriesling
Percentage of Mosel plantings that are white? Main variety?
90% of plantings are white
Riesling over 60% on its own
Where are the best vineyards located in Mosel?
Steep, south facing slopes overlooking the Mosel River
This is for best sun exposure
And to a much smaller extend the reflections from the river
Soil’s in the Mosel? Why are they important?
Dark colored slate
Radiate heat
Three sections of the Mosel?
Upper Mosel
Middle Mosel
Lower Mosel
Which area of the Mosel is the largest and is home to the majority of the best vineyards? Name some of these Vineyards with their respective Village name.
Middle Mosel
Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
Berkastel (Doctor)
Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
Describe a typical Mosel riesling.
Paler in color, lighter in body, with lower alcohol and higher acidity than those from elsewhere and with pronounced a floral and green fruit aromas
Strong reputation for producing sweeter styles in the Prädikstswein categories
What gives the rieslings of the Mosel potential for long bottle aging
Balance of acidity in flavor intensity
In which region are winters almost always cold enough to produce eiswein?
Mosel
Why are the wines in Mosel usually the most expensive in Germany?
Because of the topography of the steepest sites
Rieslings tend to be a very good quality which increases price
Low yield required for some of the sweetest winds
Different types of slate soils in Mosel?
The slate soils come in different colors
Grey, blue, brown and red
Producers are increasingly interested in how subtle differences can influence the characteristics and aromas of their wines
Discuss less expensive ones in Mosel.
Flatter sites, for example around Piesport
Used for producing less complex, inexpensive wines
Especially from Müller-Thurgau
Most of this is bottled by the regions merchant houses
Who is the worlds largest producer of Riesling?
Mosel land co-operative in Bernkastel
What is F.W. Langguth?
A large wine company in the Mosel who source wine for the large Erben and Blue Nun brands from other parts of Germany and other countries.
Name the two valleys also incorporated in the Mosel wine region.
Saar
Ruwer
Both tributaries of the Mosel
Where are the best vineyards located for the Saar and Ruwer valleys?
In the sheltered side valleys of these Rivers
South, south east and south west aspects
Why can acidity levels be even higher in the ones of the Saar and Ruwer?
Slightly higher altitude means temperatures are a little lower and acidity levels in the wines can be even higher
Which German wine region has the most continental climate of the country? What does that mean for the growing conditions and hazards?
Franken
Warmer summers but a shorter growing season with cooler autumns and harsh winters
Spring frost or a particular hazard
Dominant color of the grapes in Franken? Most planted grape variety?
82% of plantings are white
Most planted variety is Müller-Thurgau
Franken’s best wines made with which variety? Why?
Silvaner
Because of historical significance in region, gets two best sites on South and South East facing slopes of chalky soils
Why is Silvaner suited to climate?
Early budding and early ripening so it can reach full ripeness before temperature falls in autumn. But susceptible to spring frost.
Traditional bottle in Franken?
Bocksbeutel
Flat, round shaped bottle with short neck.
Describe a Silvaner from Franken.
Full body
Dry
Floral
Wet stones
What red produced in Franken? Where/soils?
Spätburgunder
In the west
Steep terraces
Sandstone
Franken wine export vs domestic?
Most of the production consumed locally
Don’t of the distinctive wines gaining popularity on export
Which region has some estates owned by charitable institutions? Name 2.
Franken
Bütgerspital
Juliusspital
Location and climate in Nahe?
Between Mosel and Rheinhessen
Protected by the Hunsrück Mountains resulting in mild temperatures and low rainfall
Size of estates in Nahe?
Small and only small number of them over a large area.
Mostly white or red in Nahe? Top variety?
White
Just over 3/4 of plantings
Riesling is most planted
What is the style of Riesling in Nahe?Why?
Slightly lower levels of acidity Riper fruit flavors More body Than the ones from Mosel But less so than the wines from Rheingau and Reinhessen
Because it is slightly warmer
Which part of Nahe has the warmest conditions? Why?
The vineyards in the east of the region, particularly those on the south facing banks of the Nahe
They benefit from the moderating influences of the Rhine and Nahe Rivers
Gain extra sunlight
Slopes there can be as steep as in Mosel
Soils in Nahe?
Mixture of slate and sandstone
What are the growing conditions like in the west of Nahe?
Cooler
Harvesting can be a couple of weeks later
In Nahe, what is planted and produced on the gentle slopes where the soil is deeper and more fertile?
Müller-Thurgau
Grauburgunder
Weissburgunder
What is the most planted red grape in Nahe?
Dornfelder
It’s ahead of Spätburgunder
But black varieties only make up just under a quarter of plantings
Mostly whites here
Which region is small but highly prestigious and produces some of Germany’s highest quality and most age worthy Rieslings?
Rheingau
Rivers in Rheingau?
Rhine and a shirt section of the River Main around Hochheim
Which two regions face each other across the river Rhine?
Rheingau
Rheinhessen
What leads to the Rieslings being more full bodied with riper fruit characters than those of Mosel in Rheingau?
The western end of the Taunus mountains protect from the cold northerly winds
South facing aspect of the vineyards
River is much wider here, about 1 km across, so it has a moderating influence
What is particular about the river Rhine in the Rheingau?
It’s a much wider here at about 1 km across
Moderating influence on temperature
Reduces frost risk
Increases humidity providing conditions that are perfect for botrytis in autumn
Where are the best vineyards located in Rheingau?
Steep slopes around: Rüdesheim Geisenheim Johannisberg Hattenheim Erbach
Why are the Vineyards on the middle slope in Rheingau considered to produce the best quality dry wines?
They receive some moderating influence from the river but are far enough away to avoid much of the humidity that can lead to fungal disease
Mostly white or red’s in Rheingau?
86% of plantings are white, with riesling being especially dominant and making up 78% alone
Where did Germany’s trend to produce dryer styles of wines arguably start?
Rheingau
What does Schloss mean? Why is it particularly seen in the Rheingau?
It means castle or manor house
It was once the home of the German aristocracy
Which is one of Germany’s smallest and most northerly one producing regions?
Ahr
Why do black grapes dominate in Ahr even though it is one of the most northerly regions?
Because the river Arh cuts and narrow, sheltered Valley with steep, south facing slopes and the soil is dominated by heat retaining dark slate and Greywacke
What is thought to be the oldest one cooperative in the world? In which region is it located?
Mayschoss
Ahr
Main variety and style of one produced in Ahr?
Spätburgunder
Fermented to dryness
Relatively high tannins and spice know it’s from oak aging
In the past, the ones were produced with residual sweetness
Has there been an increase or decrease in the number of growers in Germany since 2010? What about the area under vine? Why is that?
20% decrease in number of growers
Slight increase in area under vine, mainly in the flatter valley sites where vineyards are planted fit bulk wine
For vineyards on the steeper slopes in particular, the high cost of labor and lower yields, particularly for sweeter wines, coupled with vintage variation result in high production costs. Although such ones often command a higher prices, for some growers the cost of farming land is unsustainable against the prices customers are prepared to pay, hence the reduction in the number of growers in recent years
What type of businesses produce Germany’s best wines?
Estate which verify their own grapes
Some were established many centuries ago by the church (Schloss Johannisberg), Aristocratic families (Schloss Vollrads), Charitable organizations (Bürgerspital)
What is generation riesling?
initiated in 2005 by the German Wine institute to give young winemakers under 35 years of age in Germany a national and international promotional platform
What percentage of Germany’s Vineyard area is processed by cooperatives? Which two regions are responsible for over 3/4 of that production?
30%
Baden and Württemberg
Quality of wine produced by co-ops?
Many co-ops are quality focused with considerable grape growing and wine making expertise and technology. Some are even developing a range of small volume bottlings of high-quality wines.
What type of business is one of the main sources of the higher volume wines?
Merchant houses where many growers sell their grapes
Weinkellerei
What was part of the reason for the shift to dryer styles of wines and the increase in red wine production?
The domestic market
It has always been very important
These changes in style were heavily influenced by changing tastes among German consumers
Is Germany a big consumer of wine?
Yes
Fourth largest in the world
Needs to import a large amount of wine
Are exports growing or in decline?
In decline
Almost halved this century
But average price has risen
Why have exports been in decline but the average price been rising?
Reduction in the shipping of bulk wine and an increase in bottled exports, which are much higher in value per unit volume. This has been part of the strategy of the Deutsches Weininsgitut
What are the top five export markets by volume?
USA (\$\$) Netherlands UK Norway (\$\$) Sweden
What is the name of Germany’s wine industry promotional body? What does it do?
Deutsches Weininstitut
Six to promote the quality and sales of German Wines in the domestic and export markets
What is riesling weeks?
A promotional campaign in 13 different countries that encourages retailers and restaurants to promote German ones for a defined period each year. It is run by the Deutsches Weininstitute
