Germany Flashcards
What is the name of Germany Pinot Noir?
Spatburgunder
What is the majority of climates in Germany wine regions?
Cool continental
Is there vintage variation in Germany? And if so, why?
Annual weather conditions vary greatly
Since the best vineyards in Germany are on steep, stony slopes, how do the grapegrowers manage?
Vineyards worked by hand, vines are head-pruned, individually staked and canes tied in at top of stake to maximize grape sun exposure and circulation of air.
What is another natural climate benefit in Germany for ripening grapes other than steep slopes?
Vineyards located near rivers benefit from reflected sunlight and air movement created by moving water can help protect against frosts.
How are wines classified in Germany?
The must weight (level of sugar in the grape juice)
What is the difference between Qualitatsweine and Pradikatsweine?
Qualitatsweine are dry wines, red and white. Pradikatsweine is only white wine. We are only studying Riesling but it includes all white.
Since Riesling can express itself differently from region to region, what are the flavor ranges?
from delicate and floral to a richer peachy fruit. Light and fruity to very concentrated and intense.
What is dry riesling often labeled as?
Qualitatsweine
Are all Pradikatsweine wine sweet?
They all have some residual sugar but up to the Auslese catergory they may be in dry style.
Name the six Pradikatsweine wines?
Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein.
What is the most delicate Praditkatsweine and what are its characterstiics?
Kabinett and it is light-bodied, high acid, green apples and citrus fruit with residual sweetness
What are the two ways to sweeten the Kabinett?
Sweeten after fermentation by adding Sussreserve (cheap wines) OR stopping the fermentation early before yeast has converted all the sugar
Name the flavor profiles of each Praditkatsweine category?
Kabinett: delicate, light, high acid, green apple, citrus fruit, residual sweetness, low alcohol
Spatlese: more concentrated, riper, more body and alcohol, citrus and stone fruit aromas
Auslese: richer, riper, possibly noble rot
Beerenasulese and Trockenbeerenauslese: Must have noble rot to achieve must weights for TBA but not BA. Sweet, low in alcohol, honey, dried stone fruit, candy and flowers. Not made every year
Eiswein: rare and made infrequently. winemakers seek to maintain varietal flavors
What are two other white varietals in Germany?
Muller-Thurgau and Silvaner
How do Muller-Thurgau and Silvaner compare to Riesling?
lower acidity and less flavor intensity
What are the two black varietals of Germany?
Spatburgunder and Dornfelder
What two regions are most important for Pinot Noir?
Pfalz and Baden
What are majority of German wines labeled as?
PDO
What is the German PGI wine called?
Landwein
What are the two PDO labels in Germany?
Praditikatswein and Qualitatswein
What does trocken usually mean on a lable?
Dry wine
What does halbtrocken usually mean on a label?
off-dry or medium
Pradikat levels are an indicator of what?
Style
Is there anything in Germany to indicate the level of quality such as Premier Cru/ Grand Cru?
No
What are Grosses Gewachs considered to be?
The very best dry wines of Germany
Name the 7 main wine regions in Germany?
Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden and Franken
What are the 3 best known top quality wine villages in the Mosel?
Piesport, Bernkastel and Wehlen
How do the Mosel Rieslings compare to the rieslings of Rheingau, Rheinhessen and Pfalz?
lighter bodied, lower alcohol, higher acid, floral and green fruit flavors
What is the style of rieslings from Rheingau?
med to full body, ripe peach
Why does Rheingau have some of the best TA and BA?
The humid conditions from the Rhine River
What is the largest wine growing region in Germany?
Rheinhessen
What is mostly planted in Rheinhessen?
A variety, Muller Thurgau, Riesling and lots of black grapes
Which German wine region is a continuation of the vineyards of Alsace?
Pfalz
How does the climate of Pfalz differ from the others?
the driest of the regions, vines can suffer from water stress
Which is the warmest of the German Regions? And why?
Baden and because it is most southerly
What does Baden have a reputation for?
Top quality Spatburgunder
What is the wine region in Germany that Riesling is not king and what is then?
Franken and Silvaner is the king
