Germany Flashcards
What century were the Rheingau vineyards such as Schloss Johannisberg and Kloster Eberbach are planted?
12th
What century did the German Wine industry go into decline because of the Thirty Years War. The vineyards on flatter plains were taken over by agriculture?
early 16th
What decade were new wine laws are introduced, based on the must weight of grapes, a principle which dominates German wine law to this day.
1830’s
What year did Germany becomes unified, so states can begin to trade amongst each other?
1871
What century were some of Germany’s wine institutes are founded e.g. Hochschule Geisenheim University in Rheingau and the Julius Kühn-Institut in Pfalz?
Late 19th and early 20th century
What century did the Inexpensive, medium-sweet wines labelled as Liebfraumilch account for 60% of all German exports?
Late 20th
What year did the fifth German wine law is passed. This lays the foundation for modern German wine production, establishing protected geographical labelling and classification of wine styles based on must weights?
1971
What is Flurbereinigung?
Vineyard restructuring involved the consolidation of many small, fragmented vineyards and the building of access roads, both aimed at increasing efficiency, making mechanisation easier and so reducing the costs of viticulture.
Why is Flurbereinigung necessary?
Vineyards were highly fragmented as a result of equal division inheritance laws (similar to the Napoleonic inheritance laws in Burgundy).
Most of Germany’s vineyards are some of the most northerly in the world. Between which degrees latitude do most of the vineyards lie?
49-50°N
How does the Rhine river affect grape growing in Germany?
It is one of the key reasons why viticulture and particularly the successful ripening of Riesling is possible in this marginal climate and northerly latitude. Proximity to large bodies of water moderate temperatures and this is what the river Rhine does. The result being an extended growing season which is key for ripening Riesling and the vineyards closest to the river benefit the most. The river also reflects sunlight and heat back on the vineyards.
How does the Haardt Mountains affect grape growing in Germany?
They are a continuation of the Vosges mountains in Alsace located directly south. The Pfalz vineyards are mostly planted at the base of the Haardt mountains in a long thin strip. The mountains provide the same protection from westerly winds and the rain that comes with it, creating a dry, warm and sunnier climate than surrounding areas that are not protected by these mountains. The resulting wine styles in this region are generally dry as the climate ripens grapes fully.
How does the Tanus Mountains affect grape growing in Germany?
The Taunus mountains are in the Rheingau wine region and they are located north of the vineyards, which gives protection from cold winds. The vineyards are sandwiched between the Taunus mountains in the north and the river Rhine to the south.
What soil is in the Mosel and the Ahr?
Dark colored slate
What soil is in the Rheinhessen, Baden, and Pfalz?
Clacareous soil
What vineyard establishment and management options help improve ripeness of grapes in Germany?
- Plant on slopes that are south east or west facing.
- Plant near a river.
- Clonal selection to pick clones most suited for the environment.
- Summer pruning to remove excess foliage.
- Green harvesting to remove grapes that are unlikely to achieve full ripeness.
- Selective hand harvesting.
What is the name of the German replacement-cane pruning system where the canes are arched in the trellis?
Pendelbogen
Why are vines trained with Pendelbogen in Germany?
The arching of the canes is thought to improve the flow of sap in the vine and increase the number of viable buds, in turn increasing yields.
Which two of Germany’s principal varieties are crosses?
Müller-Thurgau & Dornfelder
What German variety can produce dry to sweet wines. It has high acidity and often significant potential for ageing. Wines can have pronounced intensity and fruit flavours range from green fruit to tropical, often with floral notes such as white flowers or honeysuckle. With age, the wines develop toast, honey and sometimes petrol-like aromas.
Riesling
What German grape is a white variety, generally with medium acidity. It can produce wines with attractive but relatively simple floral and fruity aromas for early drinking. Can also produce high yields.
Müller-Thurgau
What German grape is a black grape variety that produces wines that are often deep in colour, high in acidity with fruity and floral notes. It is used to produce two quite distinct styles of wine; one is an easy-drinking style, occasionally with a little residual sugar, the other is a more complex style with ageing potential produced from lower yields.
Dornfelder
What German grape can produce high-quality, dry, medium-bodied wines with medium to medium (+) acidity and a distinctive earthy characteristic. Inexpensive versions have subtle fruit aromas that can range from green fruit to tropical fruit.
Silvaner
Given Germany’s cool climate, enrichment is permitted (apart from for Prädikatswein). Most of Germany’s regions (apart from Baden) lie within EU Zone A. What percentage ABV enrichment does Zone A permit? & Zone B?
3% in Zone A
2% in Baden/Zone B
Are de-acidification and acidification allowed in Germany?
Yes to both
What old oak fermentation and maturation vessel in Germany allows for gentle oxidation and is 225L?
Barriques
What old oak fermentation and maturation vessel in Germany allows for gentle oxidation and is 1000L?
Fuder
What old oak fermentation and maturation vessel in Germany allows for gentle oxidation and is 1200L?
Stuck
