Germany * Flashcards
What are the main white grape varieties in Germany?
Riesling (dominant), Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), and Müller-Thurgau.
Which red grape is most important in Germany?
Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is the leading red grape.
What major historical events shaped modern German wine law?
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.
How did the 1971 German Wine Law change vineyard designations?
It condensed thousands of small vineyards into fewer, larger Einzellagen based on geography, not terroir, greatly simplifying vineyard names.
What is the goal of the new 2021 wine law “pyramid” approach?
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.
Which categories fall under the umbrella of PDO wines (gU) in Germany?
Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein, both from one of the 13 Anbaugebiete, with stricter rules than Landwein or Deutscher Wein.
Define Deutscher Wein and Landwein.
Deutscher Wein is basic table wine without geographic designation. Landwein is a PGI category with some regional identity but fewer rules than PDO wines.
What is Qualitätswein?
A PDO wine from one of Germany’s 13 Anbaugebiete. It can be chaptalized, and it represents the “basic” level of PDO before Prädikatswein.
What is Prädikatswein, and what does the Prädikat indicate?
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.).
List the six Prädikat levels in ascending order of must weight.
Kabinett → Spätlese → Auslese → Beerenauslese (BA) → Eiswein (same must weight as BA) → Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).
Define Kabinett and Spätlese in terms of must weight and style.
Kabinett: Lightest, 70–85° Oechsle, often 10–12% ABV if dry. Spätlese: “Late harvest,” 76–95° Oechsle, often 11–13% ABV if dry.
What are Beerenauslese (BA) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)?
BA: Botrytis-affected berries, 110–128° Oechsle, very sweet. TBA: Individually selected “dried” berries with noble rot, 150–154° Oechsle, extremely sweet and rare.
What is Eiswein in Germany?
Eiswein uses grapes naturally frozen on the vine, pressed while frozen to concentrate sugars. Must weight is 110–128° Oechsle, same range as Beerenauslese.
How do German Sekt categories differ?
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.
What is VDP.SEKT.STATUT?
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.
Explain the term chaptalization.
Adding sugar to the must before or during fermentation to boost potential alcohol, allowed in Qualitätswein but not in most Prädikatswein categories.
What does the Amtliche Prüfungsnummer (AP Number) represent?
It’s the official quality control number on German PDO wines, verifying the wine passed analytical and tasting panels.
What is Oechsle?
A measure of grape must density (sugar content) at harvest, central to Germany’s Prädikat system.
What do “Trocken” and “Halbtrocken” mean on a German label?
“Trocken” = dry. “Halbtrocken” = off-dry (slightly sweet). These terms refer to finished wine sweetness, not necessarily the Prädikat level.
Define Ortsteil and Alleinbesitz.
Ortsteil: A single estate or site that may appear instead of a village name. Alleinbesitz: A monopole vineyard owned by a single estate.
Which region is known for the world’s steepest vineyards, and what is that vineyard’s name?
Mosel region; the Bremmer Calmont vineyard has slopes up to 60% gradient.
What is the main grape variety in the Mosel?
Riesling is overwhelmingly dominant; secondary grapes include Spätburgunder and Müller-Thurgau.
Describe Mosel soils and climate.
Continental climate with cold winters and cool summers. Devonian slate (blue and red) is key, reflecting and retaining heat from the Mosel River.
What do Goldkapsel and Lange Goldkapsel indicate on Mosel wines?
Both suggest higher sweetness or richness levels, often used by producers for premium late-harvest or botrytis wines beyond standard Auslese.
Name two famous Mosel villages and their iconic vineyards.
Piesport: Goldtröpfchen, Domherr. Wehlen: Sonnenuhr. (Others: Bernkastel-Kues: Doctor, etc.)
List three major Bereich (subregions) in the Mosel.
Bernkastel, Saar, Ruwertal (others include Moseltor, Obermosel, Burg Cochem).
Which rivers join the Mosel in this region?
The Saar and Ruwer flow into the Mosel, influencing microclimates.
Name a notable monopole vineyard in the Mosel.
Josephshöfer in Graach an der Mosel, owned by Reichsgraff von Kesselstatt.
What is the main grape of the Rheingau, and how does it differ from Mosel Riesling?
Riesling is also primary, but Rheingau Riesling tends to be fuller-bodied, slightly higher in alcohol, and more terroir-driven dryness.
Which mountains protect the Rheingau?
The Taunus Mountains create a rain shadow, allowing a warmer, drier climate.
Name a historic estate in the Rheingau.
Schloss Johannisberg (credited with first Spätlese in 1775, first Auslese in 1787, and first Eiswein in 1858).
Which variety is notable in Assmannshausen (Rheingau)?
Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), especially from the Höllenberg vineyard. August Kesseler produces renowned Pinot here.
Name two famous Rheingau vineyards.
Rüdesheim: Berg Schlossberg, Berg Rottland; Hattenheim: Mannberg, Steinberg; Kiedrich: Gräfenberg; etc.
What is the main Bereich in the Rheingau?
Bereich Johannisberg encompasses the heart of the Rheingau’s vineyards.
Why are Rheingau vineyards typically south-facing?
The Rhine flows west-east in this section, allowing vineyards to face the sun, aided by reflection from the river.
Which region in Germany is the largest by area?
Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region.
What are the principal grapes of Rheinhessen?
Riesling (key for high-end wines), plus Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder, and Dornfelder.
What is the “Rheinterrasse”?
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.
Name a top producer in Rheinhessen responsible for G-Max Riesling.
Weingut Keller (Klaus-Peter Keller) produces “G-Max,” regarded as one of Germany’s most expensive dry Rieslings.
Which classic sweetish style is historically linked to Rheinhessen?
Liebfraumilch originated here, though modern producers focus more on quality dry wines.
Name two famous Rheinhessen vineyards.
Nierstein: Hipping, Pettenthal; Westhofen: Morstein, Kirchspiel; Dalsheim: Hubacker, etc.
Which Bereiche exist in Rheinhessen?
Nierstein, Bingen, and Wonnegau.
How does the Pfalz region relate to Alsace?
It’s geographically an extension of Alsace, protected by the Haardt Hills (continuation of the Vosges), enjoying a similar dry, sunny climate.
What are the leading grapes in the Pfalz?
Riesling (often richer, tropical), Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder, plus reds like Dornfelder, Portugieser, Spätburgunder.
Name a top Riesling vineyard in the Mittelhaardt area of Pfalz.
Forst: Kirchenstück, Pechstein, Ungeheuer; Deidesheim: Langenmorgen, etc.
Which producer in Pfalz is known for traditional Pinot Noir?
Koehler-Ruprecht is renowned for making Oregon-style, elegant Spätburgunder.
List the two Bereiche of the Pfalz.
Mittelhaardt-Deutsche Weinstrasse (northern) and Südliche Weinstrasse (southern).
Name a famous monopole vineyard in Ruppertsberg (Pfalz).
Gaisböhl, owned by Weingut Bürklin-Wolf.
Which region is known for the producer Dönnhoff and diverse soils?
The Nahe region, situated between Mosel and Rheingau, with marine sand, gravel, loess, marl, and clay soils.
What is the main grape of the Nahe?
Riesling, produced in both dry and sweet styles. Other varieties include Müller-Thurgau and Pinot grapes.
Name two top Nahe vineyards.
Niederhausen: Hermannshöhle; Schlossböckelheim: Kupfergrube, Felsenberg; Oberhausen: Brücke.
Which major Nahe gU is mentioned?
Monzinger Niederberg is one recognized protected designation in the Nahe.
Which region specializes in Spätburgunder, partly due to warm pockets by the Eifel Mountains?
The Ahr region, which is unusual in Germany for focusing on red wine.
Name a top village or vineyard in the Ahr.
Assorted examples: Mayschoss (Mönchberg), Neuenahr (Sonnenberg), Walporzheim (Gärkammer).
What is the climate type in the Ahr?
Continental with Mediterranean influences, protected by the Eifel Mountains, creating warm microclimates ideal for Pinot Noir.
Which region is known for Silvaner and the Bocksbeutel bottle?
Franken (Franconia), along the Main River.
What soils dominate Franken?
Gypsum, limestone, and Keuper. These yield minerally Silvaner with grassy, peppery notes.
Name the three Bereiche in Franken.
Mainviereck, Maindreieck, and Steigerwald.
What are the two gUs in Franken?
Bürgstädter Burg and Würzburger Stein-Burg.
Which varieties dominate Franken?
Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, rising Riesling, and small amounts of Pinot Noir.
