Germany Flashcards
Be familiar with where German wine regions are located.
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Most wine regions in Germany are located in the _______ corner of the country on the borders with these three countries.
- Southwest corner
- France, Belgium and Switzerland
In Germany, vineyards planted at this latitude and above.
49°N
Fill in the blank.
The overall climate of Germany is ______.
Cool Continental
Fill in the blank.
The main river that runs through Germany’s winegrowing regions is the ______ River.
Rhine
Select the correct answer.
The Rhine River in Germany has many:
a. rocks
b. tributaries
c. fish
b. tributaries
What is so important about the influence of rivers in Germany on winegrowoing?
- Rivers provide a moderating influence.
- Rivers reflect sunlight back up to the vineyards increasing warmth to aid in ripening.
- Rivers create airflow which can discourage fungal disease.
How do mountain ranges affect Germany’s winegrowing regions?
- Provide protection from cold north winds.
- Create rain shadows.
It’s already quite cool up at the 49th parallel, so protection from cold northerlies is important!
What is the dominant soil type found in the Mosel in Germany?
Slate
Select the correct answer.
The grape growing season in Germany is:
a. Cool
b. Arid
c. Mediterranean
a. Cool
How is it possible that a place as northerly and as cool as Germany can successfully grow grapes?
- Vineyards are planted on steep, south-facing hillsides maximizing sun exposure and warmth.
- Vineyards are carefully selected for successful ripening.
Define Deutscher Sekt.
Sparkling wine made by any method from grapes grown in Germany.
- What is Chaptalization?
- When is it used?
- The process of adding sugar to unfermented grape must in order to increase the alcohol content after fermentation.
- Used when grapes do not achieve sufficient sugar ripeness.
What are the most commonly used fermentation and aging vessels in Germany?
- Stainless-steel fermentation
- Large wooden fuder or stück
Why is residual sugar often left German Riesling?
To counterbalance acidity (not all sugars are fermented to alcohol).
Think lemonade: if the acidity (lemon juice) is too high, it needs to be balanced with a little sugar.
Select the correct answer.
The alcohol level in off-dry German Rieslings is typically:
a. low
b. medium-plus
c. high
a. low
German Rieslings can be fermented to what levels of dryness to sweetness?
Dry, off-dry, or lusciously sweet.
Fill in the blank
The most planted and most important grape variety in Germany is ______.
Riesling
Name 4 other white grape varieties grown in Germany.
- Müller-Thurgau
- Silvaner
- Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)
- Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris)
What is the most important red grape variety grown in Germany?
Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)
Fill in the blank.
In Germany, wines below the quality wine cateogory without a Geographic Indication are called _______ ____.
Deutscher Wein
Fill in the blank.
In Germany, wines below the quality wine cateogory with a Geographic Indication are called _______.
Landwein (regional wines)
What is a Qualitätswein?
Quality wine from one of the 13 major wine regions.
What is a wine region called in Germany?
Anbaugebiete
There are 13 Anbaugebiete in Germany.
Above the Qualitätswein level there is Prädikatswein.
What does Prädikatswein translate to?
‘Distinction’
Is Chaptalization allowed or not allowed for Prädikatswein?
Not allowed
Select the correct answer.
Which level is considered the highest quality level for wines with residual sugar?
a. Deutscher Wein
b. Landwein
c. Prädikatswein
Prädikatswein
List the 6 levels of prädikate in order of ripeness.
- Kabinett
- Spätlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese
- Eiswein
- Trockenbeerenauslese
These designations are categorized by ripeness at harvest, however choices made in the winery will determine finished sweetness of the wine.
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Kabinett.
Typically off-dry in style, but can also be made trocken (dry).
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Spätlese.
Typically off-dry in style, but can also be made trocken (dry).
Grapes for Spätlese are harvested later than Kabinett, so the fruit profile will taste more ripe compared to a Kabinett.
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Auslese.
Often off-dry in style, they can sometimes be made trocken (dry).
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Beerenauslese.
Very sweet in style, often affected by botrytis (but not always).
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Eiswein.
- Very sweet in style, grapes must be frozen when harvested.
- No effects of botrytis.
Eisweine have the same ripeness-level as Beerenauslese.
Briefly describe the style of a German Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese.
Very sweet in style.
TBAs typically have been affected by botrytis.