German

Question 1

Which is the largest Germany wine region?

Answer 1

Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region. The region lies in a valley of steep rolling hills, with the best sites along the river. In addition to being responsible for the about 20% of the country Riesling production. Rheinhessen boasts the world’s most significant acreage dedicated to the ancient grape, Silvaner.

Question 2

Name the six Prädikatswein levels in ascending order of must weight.

Answer 2

Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Question 3

What is Kabinett wine?

Answer 3

A light, low-alcohol wine with flavors of green apple and citrus, often with a hint of sweetness.

Question 4

What are the two main categories of German wine classification?

Answer 4

Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein.

Question 5

What is Qualitätswein?

Answer 5

A category of German wine that must come from one of the 13 designated wine regions and meet specific quality standards. It can be chaptalized.

Question 6

What is Prädikatswein?

Answer 6

A higher category of German wine that is classified by ripeness levels at harvest. It cannot be chaptalized.

Question 7

Describe Spätlese wine.

Answer 7

A wine made from late-harvested grapes, offering more body, sweetness, and complex fruit flavors than Kabinett.

Question 8

What is Auslese wine?

Answer 8

A richer, more intense wine made from selectively handpicked ripe grapes, often with notable sweetness.

Question 9

What characterizes Beerenauslese wine?

Answer 9

A sweet dessert wine made from individually picked berries affected by botrytis (noble rot).

Question 10

What is Eiswein?

Answer 10

A sweet wine made from grapes naturally frozen on the vine, concentrated in sugar and acidity.

Question 11

Describe Trockenbeerenauslese.

Answer 11

An extremely rare and sweet wine made from shriveled, botrytis-affected grapes, with very high sugar content.

Question 12

What are Anbaugebiete?

Answer 12

The 13 official wine regions in Germany designated for Qualitätswein production.

Question 13

Describe the Mosel wine region

Answer 13

Known for its steep vineyards and slate soils, producing light, floral Rieslings with high acidity.

Question 14

What is special about the Rheingau region?

Answer 14

It is renowned for its full-bodied, elegant Rieslings and some of the best Pinot Noir in Germany.

Question 15

What characterizes the Pfalz wine region?

Answer 15

A warm climate region producing rich, full-bodied wines, including Riesling and Pinot varieties.

Question 16

Describe the Baden wine region.

Answer 16

Germany’s warmest region, known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc.

Question 17

What is unique about Franken wines?

Answer 17

Known for Silvaner, often in Bocksbeutel bottles, with a focus on dry, full-bodied white wines.

Question 18

What is the VDP classification system?

Answer 18

A private classification by the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter focusing on vineyard quality, including Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) and Erste Lage (Premier Cru).

Question 19

What does Grosses Gewächs (GG) signify?

Answer 19

A designation for dry wines from top-quality VDP classified vineyards (Grosse Lage).

Question 20

What is German Sekt?

Answer 20

Sparkling wine produced mainly from Riesling or Pinot Noir, with varying levels of sweetness.

Question 21

What are the key aspects of German wine laws?

Answer 21

Regulations include region of origin, grape variety, minimum alcohol levels, and production methods.

Question 22

What do the terms “Trocken” and “Halbtrocken” mean?

Answer 22

“Trocken” means dry, and “Halbtrocken” means off-dry (slightly sweet).