Germany Flashcards
When did the Rheingau vineyards such as Schloss Johannisberg and Kloster Eberbach are planted.
12th Century
When did the German Wine industry goes into decline because of the Thirty Years War. The vineyards on flatter plains were taken over by agriculture.
Early 16th century
When were new wine laws introduced, based on the must weight of grapes, a principle which dominates German wine law to this day.
1830s
When does Germany become unified, so states can begin to trade amongst each other.
1871
When are 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
When did inexpensive, medium-sweet wines labelled as Liebfraumilch account for 60% of all German exports.
Late 20th century
When was 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
Explain what is meant by Flurbereinigung.
Flurbereinigung can be translated as land consolidation and is a program of vineyard restructuring that involves the consolidation of many small, fragmented vineyards. Fragmentation has been a result of equal division inheritance laws (similar to the Napoleonic inheritance laws in Burgundy). This endeavour was undertaken to improve access to hard to reach vineyards by building roads etc. This was also an exercise in reducing costs for producers by having their vineyards adjacent rather than smaller plots scattered over a large area. This has allowed for more economical management of the vineyards through increased mechanisation
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
Briefly explain how the Rhine river and the Taunus and Haardt mountains effect grape growing in Germany.
The river Rhine 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.
The Haardt mountains 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.
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 is the soil type in Mose
Dark-coloured slate soils
What is the soil type in Ahr
Dark-coloured slate soils
What is the soil type in Rheinhessen
Calcareous soils
What is the soil type in Baden
Calcareous soils
What is the soil type in
Pfalz
Calcareous soils
Considering vineyard establishment and management, identify four options that may improve the ripeness of the grapes.
- 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? Why do they use this?
Pendelbogen
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?
Dornfelder
Müller-Thurgau
Describe typical German Riesling
- 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.
Describe typical German Müller-Thurgau
- 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.
Describe typical German Dornfelder
- 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.
Describe a typical German Silvaner
- It can produce high-quality,
- dry
- medium-bodied wines
- medium to medium (+) acidity
- distinctive earthy characteristic.
- Inexpensive versions have subtle fruit aromas that can range from green fruit to tropical fruit.
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?
3% ABV
True or false?
De-acidifaction is permitted in Germany but acidification is not.
False
Acidification is permitted, but only in the hottest years. Both acidifcation and de-acidifcation only tend to be used for high volume, inexpensive wines.
