Europe Flashcards
What climate do most German wine regions have?
Cool continental
Where in Germany are vineyards noticeably warmer?
Baden, in the far south
What effect does the climate in Germany have on Grapes?
The long, cool ripening period allows grapes to reach sugar ripeness while retaining acidity
In nearly all regions of Germany, the best sites for growing grapes are found where? with what aspect?
Steep, often stony slopes with Southerly aspect
describe grape-growing practices in Germany.
Due to many sites on steep slopes, vineyards are worked on by hand. In the steepest parts, equipment is moved into place by winches. Vines are head-pruned, individually staked with canes tied in at the top of the stakes to maximise grape exposure to light and air circulation.
How do vineyards benefit by being planted in proximity to rivers in Germany?
Reflected sunlight can help grapes to ripen. Air movement caused by flowing water can help to protect against frosts.
By which oenological characteristic are wines classified in Germany? What does this mean for harvest?
By must weight (level of sugar in grape juice). Harvest can be spread out over a period of weeks and months.
What wine style is Germany trending towards?
Towards dry wines
In terms of vineyard plantings and quality, what is the most important variety in Germany?
Riesling
what is the style range for dry Rieslings in Germany?
from light and fruity to very concentrated and intense
How are many of the very best dry Rieslings of Germany labelled?
Grosses Gewächs (GG)
Up to which Germany PDO category is it possible to make wine in a dry style?
Auslese
What is the most delicate of the Prädikatswein styles?
Kabinett
Describe a typical Kabinett wine.
Light in body, High acidity, Flavours of green apple or citrus fruit, often balanced with residual sweetness. Sweet styles will have an alcohol level of 8-9% abv. Drier styles can reach 12% abv
How can Kabinett wines be made sweet?
By stopping fermentation early (better quality wines) or by adding sugar after fermentation (Süssreserve)
Why is stopping fermentation seen as a better quality way of creating sweetness?
It achieves a better sugar/acid balance
Describe Spätlese wines.
Made in the same way as Kabinett wines, but more concentrated, riper and with a little more body, alcohol and sometimes sweetness. Citrus and stone fruit aromas (peach or apricot).
describe Auslese wines.
Made from individually selected extra-ripe bunches. Richer and riper than Spätlese wines. Noble rot can be involved.
Describe Beerenauslese (BA) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines.
Noble rot essential to achieving required must weights for TBA - not essential for BA wines, but noble rot still typical. Some sites more suitable than others, but these styles not necessarily produced every year. Volumes vary considerably when produced. Sweet and low in alcohol. Flavours of honey, dried stone fruit, candied peel and flowers. Some of the best sweet wines in the world.
Describe Eiswein.
Rare and made infrequently. Noble rot is NOT a key component. Very sweet. Focus is on pure varietal fruit flavors.
Which additional winemaking methods may winemakers use to maintain varietal flavors in Eiswein?
Using carefully selected yeast, handling juice with care and avoiding processes which can mask the flavors of the grape such as MLF and new oak.
Müller-Thurgau is a crossing of which grapes?
Riesling X Madeleine royale in 1880s
How does Müller-Thurgau compare with Riesling?
It ripens earlier, but does not have the same level of acidity or intensity of flavor.
What are the flavors of Müller-Thurgau?
Attractive floral and fruity flavors
where is Silvaner mainly found in Germany?
Particularly Rheinhessen and Franken
What style is Silvaner made into?
Dry and sweet styles
What is the profile of Silvaner wines in Germany?
Less acidic and less overtly fruity than Riesling
What kind of quality can Silvaner produce?
High quality in the right sites
How else is Spätburgunder known?
Pinot noir
What is the 3rd most planted grape in Germany?
Spätburgunder
What vineyard conditions does Spätburgunder grown in Germany require to thrive?
warmer sites
Where is Spätburgunder particularly important in Germany?
Pfalz and Baden
What styles are Spätburgunder wines made into?
Dry, either relatively light and fruity or in a more concentrated style with oak aromas
Which is the 2nd most widely planted black grape in Germany?
Dornfelder
What is fairly unique about German Dornfelder wines?
They are very deeply colored
Where is the mosel region?
The Mosel region includes the River Mosel, from where it joins the River Rhine to the German border and its two small tributaries; the Saar and the Ruwer.
Which grapes dominate the Mosel?
White grapes, particularly Riesling
Which varieties are permitted for Grosses Gewächs wines in the Mosel?
Riesling only
Describe the best vineyard sites of the middle Mosel.
Very steep slopes, slate soils, in close proximity to the river.
Describe the Riesling wines of Mosel’s best Vineyards.
Lighter in body, lower in alcohol and higher in acidity than those in Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pflaz. Floral and green fruit flavors.
What can happen in the Mosel in cooler Vintages?
Grapes may not ripen in even the best sites. The grapes may then be used in sparkling wine production.
Where is the Nahe region?
Between Mosel and Rheinhessen
Where are the best sites in Nahe?
On steep, south-facing slopes on the banks of the river Nahe.
What grape makes the best wines of the Nahe?
Riesling
What style of Riesling is made in Nahe?
Somewhere between that of Mosel and the fuller-bodied style of Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pflaz. Pronounced acidity of Mosel. Riper fruit character than that of Mosel due to warmer character.
Which varieties are permitted for Grosses-Gewächs wines in Nahe?
Riesling only
Where is Rheingau?
North of Rheinhessen, east of Mosel
Where in Rheingau are most vineyards situated?
On the slopes of the north bank of the River Rhine in the west of the region and the River Main. They have a southerly aspect.
Other than their southerly aspect, what other feature of the best sites in Rheingau contributes to their favorable terroir?
The protection from winds offered by the Taunus HIlls to the North.
German wine without a GI is labelled…what?
Deutscher Wein
Some PGI wines are made in Germany. How are they labelled?
Landwein
What is the category for German PDO wines?
Qualitätswein
Define Prädikatswein
A category within Qualitätswein. Wines have higher sugar levels than required for other Qualitätswein. There are six Prädikat levels, based on increasing minimum must weights.
What regulations surround Qualitätswein?
The wine must come from one of 13 designated ‘winegrowing areas’. The winegrowing area must appear on the label.
List the 6 Prädikat levels, from lowest minimum must weight at harvest, to highest.
- Kabinett
- Spätlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese (BA)
- Eiswein
- Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
What is another labelling term for ‘Halbtrocken’?
Feinherb (= off dry)
What is ‘VDP’?
Verband Deustcher Prädikatsweingüter is a producers’ association in Germany with its own vineyard and wine classification. Members conform to strict production standards and focus on producing high-quality wines. VDP wines can be identified by an icon of an eagle on the capsule of the bottle.
Dry wines from VDP Grosses Lage sites are called what and can be identified how?
VDP Grosses Gewachs: indicated by the letters ‘GG’ and a bunch of grapes on the neck of the bottle.
What mountain range covers the Western parts of Austria?
The Alps