Germany Flashcards
How much of Germany’s vineyard area is Riesling? And how many percent of the world’s Riesling vineyard area is in Germany?
Germany is the world’s largest producer of Riesling.
Almost 25% of Germany’s vineyard area is riesling. 40% of the worlds riesling vineyard area is in Germany.
At what time in history was top German rieslings similar in price to classed growth Bordeaux?
Late 1800 and early 1900.
What is Liebfraumilch? Name a few brands.
Inexpensive, medium sweet white wine made from varieties such as Müller-Thurgau and Kerner. Black Tower and Blue Nun are two well known brands.
In the 1980’s, how many percent of German export was Liebfraumilch?
Around 60%, but it has plummeted since then.
Name two famous and influential vineyards that date back to the Middle Ages in Germany. When were they first planted?
Schloss Johannisberg and Kloster Eberbach in Rheingau. First planted in the 1100’s
The Thirty Years War had a significant impact on German vineyard area. When was this and what happened?
Early 1600. The flatter valley plains were taken over from vines to more lucrative grains - for bread and beer. Vineyards were pushed up onto the steeper slopes. This is a distinctive feature of German wine production today.
In 1830 new wine laws were introduced in Germany. What was it based on?
Must weight of grapes, a principle that dominates German wine law to this day.
When did Germany become a unified country?
1871, up until then the different regions often were at war and conflict with each other, hindering trade.
Late 1800 and early 1900 some of Germany’s now famous wine institutes were founded. They have played a major role in modernising the German wine industry. Name two.
Hochschule Geisenheim University in Rheingau
Julius Kühn-Institut in Pfalz
The area under vine halved in the 50 years from late 1800 to 1945. Name a few reasons for this.
Phylloxera, mildews and two world wars.
What is “Flurbereinigung”?
Program to consolidate many small, fragmented vineyards and build access roads, increasing efficiency and decreasing the cost of viticulture.
The fifth German wine law that laid the foundation for German wine production was passed when?
1971
Overall climate in Germany. With the exception of Baden, between what latitudes are the German vine growing area?
Overall cool continental climate. One of the most northerly regions in the world. Between 49 and 50 degree north.
Where do you often find the best vineyards in Germany?
On steep south-facing slopes leading down to river. The water moderates and prolongs the growing season.
Average rainfall in Germany? When does it fall and what does that mean for grape growers?
Between 500-800mm. It falls mainly in the summer, increasing the risk for fungal diseases, dilution of grapes and hail.
Autumns in Germany are generally long and dry, allowing for long ripening periods. The rivers have a moderating effect on the climate, contributing to the long ripening. But also has yet another effect, crucial for a different wine style. What?
The morning mist is ideal for the development of botrytis.
Name two important German mountain ranges. In what way do they affect the growing conditions?
Taunus and Haardt. They shelter from the cold northerly winds and create rain shadow to some extent.
The dark coloured slate soil in Mosel and Ahr is very important for the ripening of grapes. How?
It retains heat during the day and radiates it out during the cold night.
There are significant pockets of calcareous soil in Baden Pfalz and Rheinhessen. What is it usually planted with?
Spätburgunder, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay.
Franken also has a lot of calcareous soils. What variety performs very well here?
Silvaner.
Grauburgunder (Pinot gris) prefers a different soil type. Not the Riesling’s slate and not the calcareous soil that is great for spätburgunder, weissburgunder, Chardonnay and silvaner. But?
A more clayey soil, more heavy soil.
Erosion is a major problem for some of the grape growers in Germany. Specify, and what do they do about it?
The steep slopes in Mosel and Rheingau has big erosion problems. Growers are forced to regularly winch soil and rocks back up on the slopes. This adds cost.
In 2018 Germany had the 7th largest area under vine in Europe. Around how many hectares?
100.000 ha
