Germany Flashcards
What is the German word for sparkling wine?
Sekt
True or False
Sparkling wine is a recent phenomena in Germany that rose in popularity during the 20th Century
False. Sparkling wine has always been popular in Germany.
What has been the trend in the production of German Sekt? What market forces have affected this movement?
Since the mid-1950’s, production of German Sekt increased significantly due to the ability to source inexpensive base wines from the EU.
What percentage of German Sekt production is inexpensive, high-volume brands?
90%
What is the per capita consumption of sparkling wine in Germany? How does this rate globally?
3.7 liters, or five bottles, per capita per year.
This is the highest per capita consumption of sparkling wine in the world.
What methods can be used to produce German Sekt?
Any except for Carbonation.
All German Sekt must be produced by secondary fermentation.
What are the categories of German Sekt?
Sekt
Deutscher Sekt
Deutscher Sekt bA
Winzersekt
Describe the category of wine labelled Sekt in Germany.
A non-vintage tank method wine typically made from a range of inexpensive base wines sourced from Southern Europe. It is made sparkling in Germany, must have a minimum of 90 days on the lees (30 if stirred), and are made in Brut or Extra Dry styles with medium acidity and noticeable RS.
Light intensity fruit, no autolytic notes, and acceptable to good in quality.
Describe the category of wine labelled Deutscher Sekt.
A sparkling wine made from German fruit by the tank method or traditional method. It can be vintage or non-vintage, a varietal wine or a blend, and cannot state a German region of origin on its label.
Describe the category of wine labelled Deutscher Sekt bA.
A sparkling wine within the larger German quality category “Qualitätswein besimmter Anbaugebiete” (Quality wine from one of Germany’s 13 recognized growing regions). It may be tank method or traditional method. The region in which the wine is grown and produced must appear on the label.
Describe the category of wine labelled Winzersekt.
A traditional method wine that is grown and produced entirely on the estate. The label must indicate the vintage (or non-vintage), varietal, and the producer’s name. It is most frequently made with Riesling, though other varieties may be used.
What percentage of Germany’s sparkling wine production is Winzersekt?
1%
What are the characteristics of Riesling Winzersekt?
Typically Brut
High Acid
Medium intensity green apple and white peach with smoky, toasty autolytic notes
Very good to outstanding quality
Mid- to premium priced
Describe the category of wine labelled Perlwein in Germany.
An inexpensive sparkling wine made by either the tank method or by carbonation with less than 3 bars of pressure in the bottle.
What economic factor makes German Perlwein less expensive than sparkling wines with higher pressures in the bottle?
It does not attract taxation from the government.
Where do grapes for high volume German Sekt come from? What types of grapes are used?
Southern Europe, especially Italy, Spain, and France. Varieties with low aromatic intensity that are picked early to ensure high acidity are typically used.
What is the production method of high volume German Sekt?
The grapes are grown outside of Germany, typically in Italy, Spain, and France. The grapes are crushed and the base wine produced in the country of origin, then chilled and transported to Germany for second fermentation.
Where are grapes for Deutshcer Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA, and Winzersekt grown?
In Germany
What is the climate in Germany?
Cool continental
What attributes do grapes grown in Germany have that makes them suitable for sparkling wine production? Why do they have these characteristics?
High acid and low potential alcohol due to the cool continental climate in the country. Additionally, grapes for sparkling wine are picked early and unripe fruit screened out.
True or False
The majority Deutshcer Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA, and Winzersekt are blends of multiple varieties.
False. They are mainly single varieties, though Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blends are available.
What varieties are used to produce Deutshcer Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA, and Winzersekt? Which is the most prestigious?
Riesling is the most prestigious.
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Silvaner, and aromatic varieties like Scheurebe
What harvesting methods are used for sparkling wine production in Germany?
Both mechanical and hand harvesting, though hand harvesting is used primarily on higher quality wines
Are Deutshcer Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA, and Winzersekt typically a good example of terroir?
Unless it is Winzersekt, assemblage takes place across the board and neither Deutshcer Sekt nor Deutscher Sekt bA show terroir-specific flavors.