Germany *

Question 1

What are the main white grape varieties in Germany?

Answer 1

Riesling (dominant), Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), and Müller-Thurgau.

Question 2

Which red grape is most important in Germany?

Answer 2

Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is the leading red grape.

Question 3

What major historical events shaped modern German wine law?

Answer 3

The Holy Roman Empire period, the 1803 Napoleonic Code (fragmenting vineyards), the 1971 German Wine Law (reducing ~30,000 vineyards to ~2,600), and the 2021 wine law revision influenced by VDP.

Question 4

How did the 1971 German Wine Law change vineyard designations?

Answer 4

It condensed thousands of small vineyards into fewer, larger Einzellagen based on geography, not terroir, greatly simplifying vineyard names.

Question 5

What is the goal of the new 2021 wine law “pyramid” approach?

Answer 5

It aligns more closely with a terroir-focused hierarchy (influenced by the VDP), moving from region-level wines to village, single-vineyard, and top crus.

Question 6

Which categories fall under the umbrella of PDO wines (gU) in Germany?

Answer 6

Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein, both from one of the 13 Anbaugebiete, with stricter rules than Landwein or Deutscher Wein.

Question 7

Define Deutscher Wein and Landwein.

Answer 7

Deutscher Wein is basic table wine without geographic designation. Landwein is a PGI category with some regional identity but fewer rules than PDO wines.

Question 8

What is Qualitätswein?

Answer 8

A PDO wine from one of Germany’s 13 Anbaugebiete. It can be chaptalized, and it represents the “basic” level of PDO before Prädikatswein.

Question 9

What is Prädikatswein, and what does the Prädikat indicate?

Answer 9

Prädikatswein is a higher tier of PDO wine classified by grape ripeness (Oechsle) at harvest, not necessarily by sweetness at bottling. The Prädikat indicates the must weight category (Kabinett, Spätlese, etc.).

Question 10

List the six Prädikat levels in ascending order of must weight.

Answer 10

Kabinett → Spätlese → Auslese → Beerenauslese (BA) → Eiswein (same must weight as BA) → Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).

Question 11

Define Kabinett and Spätlese in terms of must weight and style.

Answer 11

Kabinett: Lightest, 70–85° Oechsle, often 10–12% ABV if dry. Spätlese: “Late harvest,” 76–95° Oechsle, often 11–13% ABV if dry.

Question 12

What are Beerenauslese (BA) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)?

Answer 12

BA: Botrytis-affected berries, 110–128° Oechsle, very sweet. TBA: Individually selected “dried” berries with noble rot, 150–154° Oechsle, extremely sweet and rare.

Question 13

What is Eiswein in Germany?

Answer 13

Eiswein uses grapes naturally frozen on the vine, pressed while frozen to concentrate sugars. Must weight is 110–128° Oechsle, same range as Beerenauslese.

Question 14

How do German Sekt categories differ?

Answer 14

Deutscher Sekt: Sparkling from German-grown grapes (often Charmat). Deutscher Sekt b.A.: 85% from a specified Anbaugebiet. Winzersekt: Estate-grown, traditional method, 9+ months on lees, vintage dated.

Question 15

What is VDP.SEKT.STATUT?

Answer 15

A classification for top-quality vintage Sekt: requires longer lees aging (24+ months for Vintage, 36+ for Prestige, etc.), aligning with the VDP’s high standards.

Question 16

Explain the term chaptalization.

Answer 16

Adding sugar to the must before or during fermentation to boost potential alcohol, allowed in Qualitätswein but not in most Prädikatswein categories.

Question 17

What does the Amtliche Prüfungsnummer (AP Number) represent?

Answer 17

It’s the official quality control number on German PDO wines, verifying the wine passed analytical and tasting panels.

Question 18

What is Oechsle?

Answer 18

A measure of grape must density (sugar content) at harvest, central to Germany’s Prädikat system.

Question 19

What do “Trocken” and “Halbtrocken” mean on a German label?

Answer 19

“Trocken” = dry. “Halbtrocken” = off-dry (slightly sweet). These terms refer to finished wine sweetness, not necessarily the Prädikat level.

Question 20

Define Ortsteil and Alleinbesitz.

Answer 20

Ortsteil: A single estate or site that may appear instead of a village name. Alleinbesitz: A monopole vineyard owned by a single estate.

Question 22

Which region is known for the world’s steepest vineyards, and what is that vineyard’s name?

Answer 22

Mosel region; the Bremmer Calmont vineyard has slopes up to 60% gradient.

Question 23

What is the main grape variety in the Mosel?

Answer 23

Riesling is overwhelmingly dominant; secondary grapes include Spätburgunder and Müller-Thurgau.

Question 24

Describe Mosel soils and climate.

Answer 24

Continental climate with cold winters and cool summers. Devonian slate (blue and red) is key, reflecting and retaining heat from the Mosel River.

Question 25

What do Goldkapsel and Lange Goldkapsel indicate on Mosel wines?

Answer 25

Both suggest higher sweetness or richness levels, often used by producers for premium late-harvest or botrytis wines beyond standard Auslese.

Question 26

Name two famous Mosel villages and their iconic vineyards.

Answer 26

Piesport: Goldtröpfchen, Domherr. Wehlen: Sonnenuhr. (Others: Bernkastel-Kues: Doctor, etc.)

Question 27

List three major Bereich (subregions) in the Mosel.

Answer 27

Bernkastel, Saar, Ruwertal (others include Moseltor, Obermosel, Burg Cochem).

Question 28

Which rivers join the Mosel in this region?

Answer 28

The Saar and Ruwer flow into the Mosel, influencing microclimates.

Question 29

Name a notable monopole vineyard in the Mosel.

Answer 29

Josephshöfer in Graach an der Mosel, owned by Reichsgraff von Kesselstatt.

Question 31

What is the main grape of the Rheingau, and how does it differ from Mosel Riesling?

Answer 31

Riesling is also primary, but Rheingau Riesling tends to be fuller-bodied, slightly higher in alcohol, and more terroir-driven dryness.

Question 32

Which mountains protect the Rheingau?

Answer 32

The Taunus Mountains create a rain shadow, allowing a warmer, drier climate.

Question 33

Name a historic estate in the Rheingau.

Answer 33

Schloss Johannisberg (credited with first Spätlese in 1775, first Auslese in 1787, and first Eiswein in 1858).

Question 34

Which variety is notable in Assmannshausen (Rheingau)?

Answer 34

Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), especially from the Höllenberg vineyard. August Kesseler produces renowned Pinot here.

Question 35

Name two famous Rheingau vineyards.

Answer 35

Rüdesheim: Berg Schlossberg, Berg Rottland; Hattenheim: Mannberg, Steinberg; Kiedrich: Gräfenberg; etc.

Question 36

What is the main Bereich in the Rheingau?

Answer 36

Bereich Johannisberg encompasses the heart of the Rheingau’s vineyards.

Question 37

Why are Rheingau vineyards typically south-facing?

Answer 37

The Rhine flows west-east in this section, allowing vineyards to face the sun, aided by reflection from the river.

Question 39

Which region in Germany is the largest by area?

Answer 39

Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region.

Question 40

What are the principal grapes of Rheinhessen?

Answer 40

Riesling (key for high-end wines), plus Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder, and Dornfelder.

Question 41

What is the “Rheinterrasse”?

Answer 41

A prime area along the Rhine with milder climate, featuring iron-rich sandstone and clay soils. Home to top vineyards like Nierstein’s Roter Hang.

Question 42

Name a top producer in Rheinhessen responsible for G-Max Riesling.

Answer 42

Weingut Keller (Klaus-Peter Keller) produces “G-Max,” regarded as one of Germany’s most expensive dry Rieslings.

Question 43

Which classic sweetish style is historically linked to Rheinhessen?

Answer 43

Liebfraumilch originated here, though modern producers focus more on quality dry wines.

Question 44

Name two famous Rheinhessen vineyards.

Answer 44

Nierstein: Hipping, Pettenthal; Westhofen: Morstein, Kirchspiel; Dalsheim: Hubacker, etc.

Question 45

Which Bereiche exist in Rheinhessen?

Answer 45

Nierstein, Bingen, and Wonnegau.

Question 47

How does the Pfalz region relate to Alsace?

Answer 47

It’s geographically an extension of Alsace, protected by the Haardt Hills (continuation of the Vosges), enjoying a similar dry, sunny climate.

Question 48

What are the leading grapes in the Pfalz?

Answer 48

Riesling (often richer, tropical), Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder, plus reds like Dornfelder, Portugieser, Spätburgunder.

Question 49

Name a top Riesling vineyard in the Mittelhaardt area of Pfalz.

Answer 49

Forst: Kirchenstück, Pechstein, Ungeheuer; Deidesheim: Langenmorgen, etc.

Question 50

Which producer in Pfalz is known for traditional Pinot Noir?

Answer 50

Koehler-Ruprecht is renowned for making Oregon-style, elegant Spätburgunder.

Question 51

List the two Bereiche of the Pfalz.

Answer 51

Mittelhaardt-Deutsche Weinstrasse (northern) and Südliche Weinstrasse (southern).

Question 52

Name a famous monopole vineyard in Ruppertsberg (Pfalz).

Answer 52

Gaisböhl, owned by Weingut Bürklin-Wolf.

Question 54

Which region is known for the producer Dönnhoff and diverse soils?

Answer 54

The Nahe region, situated between Mosel and Rheingau, with marine sand, gravel, loess, marl, and clay soils.

Question 55

What is the main grape of the Nahe?

Answer 55

Riesling, produced in both dry and sweet styles. Other varieties include Müller-Thurgau and Pinot grapes.

Question 56

Name two top Nahe vineyards.

Answer 56

Niederhausen: Hermannshöhle; Schlossböckelheim: Kupfergrube, Felsenberg; Oberhausen: Brücke.

Question 57

Which major Nahe gU is mentioned?

Answer 57

Monzinger Niederberg is one recognized protected designation in the Nahe.

Question 59

Which region specializes in Spätburgunder, partly due to warm pockets by the Eifel Mountains?

Answer 59

The Ahr region, which is unusual in Germany for focusing on red wine.

Question 60

Name a top village or vineyard in the Ahr.

Answer 60

Assorted examples: Mayschoss (Mönchberg), Neuenahr (Sonnenberg), Walporzheim (Gärkammer).

Question 61

What is the climate type in the Ahr?

Answer 61

Continental with Mediterranean influences, protected by the Eifel Mountains, creating warm microclimates ideal for Pinot Noir.

Question 63

Which region is known for Silvaner and the Bocksbeutel bottle?

Answer 63

Franken (Franconia), along the Main River.

Question 64

What soils dominate Franken?

Answer 64

Gypsum, limestone, and Keuper. These yield minerally Silvaner with grassy, peppery notes.

Question 65

Name the three Bereiche in Franken.

Answer 65

Mainviereck, Maindreieck, and Steigerwald.

Question 66

What are the two gUs in Franken?

Answer 66

Bürgstädter Burg and Würzburger Stein-Burg.

Question 67

Which varieties dominate Franken?

Answer 67

Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, rising Riesling, and small amounts of Pinot Noir.