German Wine Regions Flashcards
Largest in terms of production German wine region? How many percent of German vineyards are located in the region?
Rheinhessen is home to just under 25% of German vineyards.
Rheinhessen is sheltered by various mountain ranges. Name 2.
Taunus and Hunsrück.
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?
Liebfraumilch, from around the area of Worms.
2 leading white varieties in Rheinhessen? 2 leading black varieties?
Riesling just ahead of Müller-Thurgau. Dornfelder is double the size of Spätburgunder.
Bulk wine production dominates Rheinhessen but there are areas of quality production. Name the longest-established. Around what two towns is it?
The Rheinterrasse, a stretch of steeply sloping vineyards around Nierstein and Oppenheim.
What aspect does the steeply sloping vineyards of Rheinterrassen have? Why is that important? What does the proximity to the Rhein river do?
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.
Due to longer ripening in the Rheinterrsse, what flavours might you find in the rieslings?
Ripe lemon and peach flavours.
Within the Rheinterrasse there is an even more famous strip of land. What is it called? What two towns does it surround?
Roter Hang, around Nierstein and Nackenheim.
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?
Rotliegenden. Red because is rich in iron. Slate, clay and sandstone. Said to give smoky characteristics.
What is the area in south Rheinhessen called that is getting a great reputation for high quality of what two varieties?
Wonnegau, for Riesling and spätburgunder.
Name a significant producer in the Rheinterrasse and one in Worms.
Weingut Gunderloch in the Rheinterrasse and weingut Keller closer to Worms.
Pfalz is a bit unusual in its location compared to other wine regions in Germany. In what way is it positioned differently?
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.
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?
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.
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?
Riesling is about 25% of plantings, followed by Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder.
What does the slightly warmer climate do for the wines in Pfalz compared to Rheinhessen?
They tend be more fuller bodied and hold riper fruit flavours.
The climate in Pfalz also suggests potential for red wine production. What is the dominating variety? Followed by what?
Dornfelder followed by spätburgunder.
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.
Mittelhardt is the collective name. Bad Dürkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg.
In Mittelhaardt, what is it that contribute to fuller body and ripe rieslings?
South- or east-facing steeply vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt mountains gives maximum sunshine and protection from winds.
Producers in Mittelhaardt exploit the different soils to give different characteristics and flavours. What soil types are present?
A wide variety, including limestone, sandstone, basalt and clay.
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?
Südliche Weinstrasse. Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder.
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.
Dr. Bürklin-Wolf. Co-operative Winzerverein Deidesheim.
What is it that makes Baden Germany’s warmest, sunniest and one of the driest wine regions?
The southerly latitude AND the rain shadow that the Vosges mountains provide.
Baden is best known for what colour of wine? What is the most planted variety?
Red wines, Spätburgunder is the most planted variety.
Name two reasons the Spätburgunder from Baden come in a variety of styles.
Varied soils and microclimates.
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?
Kasierstuhl, the vineyards are steep south-facing. The place produces the fullest bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, smoky ripe fruit flavours.
Name a few cooler areas (bereich) in Baden where the wines have more acidity and more delicate fruit flavours.
The bereich of Ortenau, bereich of Tuniberg and Breisgau (significant pockets of calcareous soil).
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?
Müller-Thurgau
Baden is developing a reputation for what varieties besides Spätburgunder and Müller-Thurgau?
Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay.
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?
Badischer Winzerkeller
What style of wine does Württemberg currently produce? And what is the name of the central co-operative that produce the most?
Light, fruity red wines. Möglingen the name of the co-operative.