GERMANY Flashcards
What is Sekt?
Tank method wines, without mention of grape varieties or vintage, typically made from a range of base wines sourced from inexpensive regions of Southern Europe and made sparkling in Germany. Sold only 6 months after second fermentation starts + minimum of 90 days on lees or 30 is stirred.
NV, with light intensity, Brut or Extra Dry style, some RS and medium acidity.
What is Deutscher Sekt?
Must de made from German-grown fruit. May be made by Tank Method or Traditional Method, Vintage or NV, made from single variety (min 85%) or multiple varieties. May come from several German wine regions. No region of origin stated on label.
What is Deutscher Sekt bA?
bA stands for bestimmter Anbaugebiete = of defined region.
From one of the 13 defined wine-growing regions that must appear on the label. Made by Tank method of Traditional method.
What is Winzersekt?
Stands for “winegrower” - sparkling wine that is estate bottled, uses only estate grown grapes, made by Traditional method and kept for minimum 9 months on lees in bottle. Typically made with Riesling. Vintage and producers’ name must appear on label.
= Brut style wines with medium intensity apple and peach fruit with toasty autolytic notes, high acidity.
What is Perlwein?
aka Secco. Made by Tank or Carbonation for inexpensive base wines, with less than 3 atmospheres of pressure.
Where are grapes used for Sekt grown?
Low aromatic varieties grown and crushed in high-volume production areas of Southern Europe - Italy, Spain, France. Juice is chilled then transported to Germany by truck or train.
How does climate affect the growing environment for Deutscher Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA and Winzersekt?
Cool continental climate = grapes with low potential alc. and high acidity, ideal for base wines for sparkling wines. Early picked to retain acidity and just-ripe primary fruit.
What other varieties are used to produce Sekt?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Silvaner, Sheurebe (Riesling crossing).
What are the benefits of blending?
To ensure consistency across batches and within brand style.
What are the advantages of the tank method?
Large volumes of wine can be made and released after a short production cycle, reducing cost and prices.
What are the benefits of ageing wines one lees for 18 months or longer when making traditional method Sekt from Riesling?
To develop an attractive smokey note in Riesling based wine, rather than the biscuit/ brioche of Champagne varieties.
How is dosage in premium bottlinngs achieved?
With mature sweet Riesling.
How is less expensive bottle fermented wine produced?
Using the transfer method.
What are the specifications of Sekt?
Min 10% abv. min 3.5 atmospheric pressure and must go through secondary fermentation.
What is the “bottle fermented” labelling term?
Flaschengarung
