German Sekt

Question 1

Austrian Sekt Qualitätswein: Klassik

Answer 1

Grapes harvested in a single Austrian federal state
Base wine fermentation and secondary fermentation conducted in Austria. Area of origin on the label may not be more specific than the federal state in which the grapes were grown. Not sold before October 22 of the year following the harvest
Production Method: Any
Maximum Alcohol: 12.5%
Lees Aging: Minimum 9 months
Permitted Sweetness Levels: Any

Question 2

Austrian Sekt Qualitätswein: Reserve

Answer 2

Grapes harvested and whole-cluster pressed in a single Austrian state
Area of origin may not be more specific than the federal state in which the grapes were grown
Blending is not permitted for rosé wines
Not sold before October 22 of the second year following the harvest
Harvesting Method: Hand harvest only
Maximum Press Yield: 60%
Production Method: Traditional method only
Lees Aging: Minimum 18 months
Permitted Sweetness Levels: Brut, Extra Brut, Brut Nature

Question 3

Austrian Sekt Qualitätswein: Grosse Reserve (Grand Reserve)

Answer 3

Grapes harvested and whole-cluster pressed (in a basket or pneumatic press) in a single Austrian municipality
Vineyard designation is permitted
Blending is not permitted for rosé wines
Not sold before October 22 of the third year following the harvest
Harvesting Method: Hand harvest only
Maximum Press Yield: 50%
Production Method: Traditional method only
Maximum Alcohol: None
Lees Aging: Minimum 30 months
Permitted Sweetness Levels: Brut, Extra Brut, Brut Nature

Question 4

Sekt

Answer 4

Word used in German-speaking countries for sparkling wine. Governed in Germany by manufacturing rather than wine law, most Sekt there is inexpensive and produced in bulk in tank from imported wine. The name Deutscher Sekt designates Sekt from German fruit, and a significant minority of German Sekt is bottle fermented wine made with ambition by family wineries, co-operatives, and houses specializing in the style from Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) grapes. Austria’s Sekt producers, some of which were already established during the era of the Austro-Hungarian empire, typically source their grapes from the weinviertel in Lower Austria. Some of the country’s most quality-conscious estates also make sparkling wine.

Question 5

German Sekt

Answer 5

Sekt (German, for ‘sparkling wine’) is produced in huge volumes. Germany is the largest sparkling wine market in the world, and impressively 80% of this demand is satisfied by Sekt.

Question 6

Location- German Sekt

Answer 6

The vast majority of Germany’s Sekt is made from inexpensive base wine sourced from outside Germany; mainly Italy, France and Spain.

Question 7

Grape Varieties- German Sekt

Answer 7

There are no limitations but Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir are the most popular varieties out of those grown in Germany.

Question 8

Winery- German Sekt

Answer 8

Mostly Tank method, some premium Sekt made by traditional method.
Minimum 10% abv and minimum 3.5 bar of pressure.

Question 9

Classifications- German Sekt

Answer 9

Sekt- Literally means “sparkling wine”. Base wine sourced from and EU country.

Deutscher Sekt- Base wines sourced from Germany

Sekt b.a- Base wines from specified German quality region.

Winzersekt- Premium sekt from a single vintage and grape variety. Estate grown and bottled. Traditional method with minimum 9 months lees ageing.

Vintage and Varietal Sekt- Must include 85% of the vintage or grape variety.

Question 10

Important Trade Structures- German Sekt

Answer 10

Large businesses such as Rotkappchen dominate production. Premium sekt is becoming increasingly popular albeit from a very small base.