German Wine Regions Flashcards

1
Q

Largest in terms of production German wine region? How many percent of German vineyards are located in the region?

A

Rheinhessen is home to just under 25% of German vineyards.

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2
Q

Rheinhessen is sheltered by various mountain ranges. Name 2.

A

Taunus and Hunsrück.

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3
Q

Most vineyards in Rheinhessen is planted on the warm, fertile valley floors ideal for high volume inexpensive wines. What world famous wine style originated from south Rheinhessen? From the area around what town?

A

Liebfraumilch, from around the area of Worms.

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4
Q

2 leading white varieties in Rheinhessen? 2 leading black varieties?

A

Riesling just ahead of Müller-Thurgau. Dornfelder is double the size of Spätburgunder.

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5
Q

Bulk wine production dominates Rheinhessen but there are areas of quality production. Name the longest-established. Around what two towns is it?

A

The Rheinterrasse, a stretch of steeply sloping vineyards around Nierstein and Oppenheim.

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6
Q

What aspect does the steeply sloping vineyards of Rheinterrassen have? Why is that important? What does the proximity to the Rhein river do?

A

East-facing. They receive the warming sun in the coolest part of the day. Aid ripening. The Rhein river moderates - evening and autumn temperatures remain warmer than the vineyards away from the river. Extending ripening period.

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7
Q

Due to longer ripening in the Rheinterrsse, what flavours might you find in the rieslings?

A

Ripe lemon and peach flavours.

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8
Q

Within the Rheinterrasse there is an even more famous strip of land. What is it called? What two towns does it surround?

A

Roter Hang, around Nierstein and Nackenheim.

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9
Q

What is the famous soil in Roter Hang called? Why is it red? What soil types does it consist of? What characteristics is Isaid to give to rieslings?

A

Rotliegenden. Red because is rich in iron. Slate, clay and sandstone. Said to give smoky characteristics.

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10
Q

What is the area in south Rheinhessen called that is getting a great reputation for high quality of what two varieties?

A

Wonnegau, for Riesling and spätburgunder.

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11
Q

Name a significant producer in the Rheinterrasse and one in Worms.

A

Weingut Gunderloch in the Rheinterrasse and weingut Keller closer to Worms.

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12
Q

Pfalz is a bit unusual in its location compared to other wine regions in Germany. In what way is it positioned differently?

A

It is not positioned next to a river. Pfalz is squeezed between the Haardt mountains to the west and the Rhine plain to the east.

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13
Q

Pfalz is one of the driest German wine regions. Drought can be a problem. What causes the rain shadow? How is it related to France?

A

The Haardt mountains cause a similar rain shadow as Alsace get from the Vosges. Haardt is the German continuation of Vosges.
Pfalz is just north of Alsace.

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14
Q

Pfalz is not far behind Rheinhessen in terms of area under vine and production volume. For whites (67%), what is the significant variety and how many per cent of plantings does it hold? What varieties follows?

A

Riesling is about 25% of plantings, followed by Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder.

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15
Q

What does the slightly warmer climate do for the wines in Pfalz compared to Rheinhessen?

A

They tend be more fuller bodied and hold riper fruit flavours.

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16
Q

The climate in Pfalz also suggests potential for red wine production. What is the dominating variety? Followed by what?

A

Dornfelder followed by spätburgunder.

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17
Q

The most renowned vineyards are in the north of Pfalz. What is the name of the area? Name a few famous villages in the area.

A

Mittelhardt is the collective name. Bad Dürkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg.

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18
Q

In Mittelhaardt, what is it that contribute to fuller body and ripe rieslings?

A

South- or east-facing steeply vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt mountains gives maximum sunshine and protection from winds.

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19
Q

Producers in Mittelhaardt exploit the different soils to give different characteristics and flavours. What soil types are present?

A

A wide variety, including limestone, sandstone, basalt and clay.

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20
Q

The south of Pfalz is traditionally an area for inexpensive wines. What is the area called? But a new generation of winemakers are increasing the quality. What varieties are used?

A

Südliche Weinstrasse. Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder.

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21
Q

Just like Rheinhessen, Pfalz high-volume production is dominated by merchant houses whilst higher quality tend to come from small estates and quality focused co-operatives. Name a quality producer and a quality co-operative.

A

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf. Co-operative Winzerverein Deidesheim.

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22
Q

What is it that makes Baden Germany’s warmest, sunniest and one of the driest wine regions?

A

The southerly latitude AND the rain shadow that the Vosges mountains provide.

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23
Q

Baden is best known for what colour of wine? What is the most planted variety?

A

Red wines, Spätburgunder is the most planted variety.

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24
Q

Name two reasons the Spätburgunder from Baden come in a variety of styles.

A

Varied soils and microclimates.

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25
Q

There is an extinct volcano in Baden. What is the area around it called and what are the characteristics of the vineyards? The wines from here are said to have what characteristics?

A

Kasierstuhl, the vineyards are steep south-facing. The place produces the fullest bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, smoky ripe fruit flavours.

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26
Q

Name a few cooler areas (bereich) in Baden where the wines have more acidity and more delicate fruit flavours.

A

The bereich of Ortenau, bereich of Tuniberg and Breisgau (significant pockets of calcareous soil).

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27
Q

The warm, dry conditions in Baden are perfect for inexpensive high volume blends. Famous for red but 61% is white. What is the second most planted variety?

A

Müller-Thurgau

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28
Q

Baden is developing a reputation for what varieties besides Spätburgunder and Müller-Thurgau?

A

Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay.

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29
Q

Co-operatives are responsible for 75% of Baden’s production. One of the largest in Germany is located in Baden. What is the name of the co-operative?

A

Badischer Winzerkeller

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30
Q

What style of wine does Württemberg currently produce? And what is the name of the central co-operative that produce the most?

A

Light, fruity red wines. Möglingen the name of the co-operative.

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31
Q

Even though most of the wine in Württemberg is produced by the co-operative Möglingen things start to change. A number of smaller estates are gaining reputation especially on the steep terraced vineyards above what river?

A

Neckar and its tributaries.

32
Q

Spätburgunder is important in Württemberg but the 3 most planted red grape varieties are?

A

Trollinger, Lemberger and SchwartzRiesling

33
Q

Name a significant producer in Württemberg.

A

Rainer Schnaitmann and the large co-operative Württembergische Weingärtner

34
Q

Site selection is essential in Mosel to ensure grapes can ripen. What properties does the best vineyards have?

A

On steep, south-facing slopes overlooking the Mosel with dark-coloured slate radiating heat.

35
Q

The Mosel is generally split into three sections; upper, middle and lower Mosel. Middle Mosel is largest and home to the majority of the best vineyards. Name a few villages and their respective famous vineyards.

A

Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
Brauneberg (Juffer, Juffer-Sonnenuhr)
Bernkastel (Doctor)
Graach (Himmelreich, Domprobst)
Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
Ürzig (Würzgarten)
Erden (Treppchen, Prälat)

36
Q

How does Mosel Riesling differ from others regarding colour, body, alcohol and acidity? They also have pronounced aromas of what?

A

Mosel Riesling is paler in colour, lighter in body, lower in alcohol and higher in acidity. They have pronounced floral and green fruit aromas.

37
Q

The slate soil in Mosel come in different colours. Name them.

A

Grey, blue, brown and red.

38
Q

Name a few reasons why Mosel Riesling are among the most expensive in Germany.

A

The steepest sites are labour intense, low yields (especially for sweeter styles such as BA and TBA) and general quality make them expensive.

39
Q

The world’s largest producer of Riesling is a co-operative in Bernkastel. They make 20% of Mosels wine. What is it called?

A

Moselland

40
Q

The Mosel region also covers two tributaries. Name them.

A

Saar and Ruwer

41
Q

There are a number of famous vineyards in Saar and Ruwer. Name the most famous one.

A

Scharzhofberg in Saar.

42
Q

The vineyards of Franken create a W-shaped course along what river and its tributaries?

A

River Main.

43
Q

Climate in Franken?

A

Most continental of the principal wine regions (located further east).

44
Q

Franken has the most continental climate of the principal wine regions of Germany, what does that mean in terms of ripening and hazards?

A

Spring frost is a particular hazard. The summers are warmer but a shorter growing season with cooler autumn and harsh winters.

45
Q

How many percent is white grapes in Franken? Most planted variety? Drier styles is a more long-standing tradition than elsewhere.

A

82% is white and most planted is Müller-Thurgau.

46
Q

What is the second most planted variety in Franken?

A

Silvaner.

47
Q

Budding and ripening for Silvaner? Pros and cons in Franken regarding that?

A

Early ripening means that it can reach full ripeness old autumn, but early budding makes it susceptible to spring frost.

48
Q

Since Silvaner is early budding and therefore susceptible to spring frost. What does growers do in order to avoid that in Franken?

A

Silvaner gets the best sites that are less prone to frost and with south or south-east facing facing slopes.

49
Q

Very good Silvaner is produced on south and south-east facing slopes around what town? On what soil?

A

Around the town of Würzburg on chalky soils.

50
Q

What general aromas and what body does the Silvaner from around the town of Würzburg get? Grown on south and south-east facing slopes with chalky soils.

A

Full body with floral and wet stone aromas.

51
Q

In the west of Franken there are steep terraces of what soil? Producing some very good of what variety? Name a well renowned producer?

A

Steep terraces of sandstone produce some very good Spätburgundef. Rudolf Fürst is a well renowned producer.

52
Q

What is the traditional bottle used in Franken called?

A

Bocksbeutel

53
Q

Name a few high-quality estates in Franken, including charitable institutions.

A

Horst Sauer. Owned by charitable institutions are Bürgerspital and Juliusspital.

54
Q

Between what two Anbaugebiete is Nahe?

A

Nahe sits between Mosel and Rheinhessen.

55
Q

Nahe has mild temperatures and low rainfall, it is to a large extent protected by what mountain range?

A

Hunsrück Mountains

56
Q

Nahe is predominantly white grapes, how many percent? Riesling leads the way with how many percent?

A

77% is white and Riesling is 29% of that in Nahe.

57
Q

Comment on acidity, body and ripeness of Nahe Riesling compared to Mosel, Rheingau and Rheinhessen.

A

Acidity is lower than in Mosel but slightly higher than Rheingau and Rheinhessen. The very same with body and ripeness.

58
Q

There are south facing banks on the Nahe river. Where in the region? Between what two villages?

A

East in Nahe, between Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach.

59
Q

The south facing banks of Nahe between Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach have some of the warmest conditions in Nahe. The slopes are as steep as in Mosel but what soils do you find?

A

Slate and sandstone.

60
Q

Name two significant producers in Nahe.

A

Dönnhof and Emrich-Schönleber

61
Q

There are also more gentle slopes in Nahe with deeper and more fertile soils. This is home to inexpensive wines from what variety? But it also produces some good and very good wines from what two varieties?

A

Inexpensive from Müller-Thurgau and some good and very good from Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder.

62
Q

Just under 25% of Nahe is black grape varieties. What is the most planted? Followed by what?

A

Dornfelder followed by Spätburgunder.

63
Q

Rieslings in the highly prestigious Rheingau can be fuller-bodied with riper fruit characteristics than Mosel. Why?

A

Rheingau is protected by the Taunus Mountains from cold northerly winds. Vineyards are south-facing and the Rhine is very wide giving moderation.

64
Q

The fact that the Rhine is very large and wide in Rheingau has two positive influences. Name them.

A

The river moderates temperatures reducing frost risk. But it also increases humidity providing conditions perfect for botrytis.

65
Q

The best vineyards in Rheingau is located on the steep slopes along a number of villages, name a few.

A

Rüdesheim, Geisenheim, Johannisberg, Hattenheim and Erbach.

66
Q

Sites on the mid-slope are thought to be the best in Rheingau for dry wines. Why?

A

Receives moderating influences from the river but far enough away to avoid the humidity that causes fungal diseases.

67
Q

What soil types do you find in the east of Rheingau? And in the west?

A

In east, around Hochheim, you find sand, loam and loess. In the west sandstone and slate.

68
Q

The country-wide trend to produce more drier styles started in Rheingau. How many percent of Rheingau is white wine? Riesling is especially dominant, how many percent?

A

86% of plantings in Rheingau is white and 77% is Riesling.

69
Q

At the western end of Rheingau the river take a sharp turn north. What variety is the key grape here and what is the most famous village for it?

A

Spätburgunder is key grape around Assmannshausen.

70
Q

There is a steep south and south-east facing vineyard near Assmannshausen renowned for producing relatively full-bodied Pinot noirs of very good to outstanding quality. Name the vineyard.

A

Höllenberg.

71
Q

Rheingau was once home for the German aristocracy. “Schloss” denotes a castle or Manor House. Name a few famous “Schloss “ producers.

A

Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads and state owned Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach.

72
Q

The most northerly of Germany’s wine regions?

A

Ahr

73
Q

81% in Ahr is black grapes. This is strange being the most northerly region. What are the keys to success?

A

The river Ahr cuts a narrow, sheltered valley with steep south-facing slopes. The soil is dominated by heat-retaining dark slate and the dark sandstone greywacke.

74
Q

Ahr is now a source of very good Spätburgunder, fermented to dryness with relatively high tannins and spice notes from oak ageing. But what was the wines like traditionally?

A

Grapes were harvested late and produced with residual sugar.

75
Q

What is thought to be the oldest co-operative in the world was formed in Ahr. What is it called and when was it formed?

A

The Mayschoss was formed in 1868.

76
Q

Name one or two significant producers in Ahr.

A

Jean Stodden and Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr.

77
Q

Name a significant producer in Ahr.

A

Jean Stodden and Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr