Germany Flashcards
Germany general styles of wine, climate
Riesling is most common
Cool continental climate, though in the far south of Baden it’s noticeably warmer.
Germany wine label terms
Deutscher Wein - Non-PGI wines from Germany
Landwein - generic PGI wines
Qualitatswein - General category of PDO wines. Must come from one of the designated “wine growing areas”. Specific area must appear on the label.
Pradikatswein - Higher level category within Qualitatswein. This is where the sugar content of the must grading starts.
Within the Pradikatswein category the levels of the sweetness of the must are:
Kabinett - dry to medium sweet
Spatlese - dry to medium sweet
Auslese - dry to sweet, may have noble rot
Beerenauslese (BA) - sweet only, noble rot typical, but not required
Eiswein - sweet only, no noble rot
Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) - sweet only, noble rot always
Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter (VDP) labeling is supported by a producers association. VDP.Grosses Gewachs are also labeled “GG” and are the best wines from a producer. GG wines are always dry
Mosel General Style, climate, and vineyard characteristics
What country and larger region is it part of?
Key villages of Mosel?
Mostly riesling. Riesling is the only thing allowed in GG wines.
Best wines from the Middle Mosel with steep slopes and slate soil. This results in higher acid and lower alcohol wines than Pfalz or Rheingau. Floral and green fruit aromas are the predominate ones.
In cooler years there’s struggle to ripen and the grapes can go to sparkling wine instead.
In Germany.
Key villages are in the middle Mosel. Piesport, Bernkastel, and Wehlen are the best ones.
Rheingau General Style, climate, and vineyard characteristics
What country and larger region is it part of?
Key villages of Rheingau?
Small but prestigious region. On south facing slope overlooking the Rhine. Taunus hills to the north provide some protection.
Mostly riesling, but some Spatburgunder. Rieslines have medium to fully body and ripe peach character. Most rieslings are made dry, but it also has some of the best BA and TBA wines.
In Germany
Key Villages: Johannisberg and Rudesheim
Pfalz General Style, climate, and vineyard characteristics
What country and larger region is it part of?
Key villages of Pfalz?
Just north of Alsace in France. Rain shield from the Haardt Mountains (continuation of the Vosges). Dryest German region. Warm years can cause water stress.
Mostly riesling and dornfelder, but some Muller-Thurgau with some Grauburgunder and Weibburgunder. GG wines can be Riesling, Weibburgunder or Spatburgunder.
In Germany
Key Villages: Forst and Deidesheim
Baden General Style, climate, and vineyard characteristics
What country and larger region is it part of?
Key villages of Baden?
Warmest and most southern growing region.
Mostly Spatburgunder. Fullest bodied wines with the most alcohol. GG wines can have a wide range of red and white grapes.
In Germany.
Key areas:
* Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg, across the river from Alsace
* Kaiserstuhl has top quality Spatburgunder.
