Germany Flashcards

1
Q

Top two (most widely planted) white grapes in Germany

A

1 - Riesling

2 - Muller-Thurgau

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2
Q

Leading red grape in Germany

A

Spatburgunder

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3
Q

German name for Pinot Gris

A

Grauburgunder or Rulander

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4
Q

German name for Pinot Blanc

A

Weissburgunder

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5
Q

Basic German “wine” (formerly “table wine”) made from 100% German grapes

A

Deutscher Wein

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6
Q

ggA

A

geschuzte geographische Angabe (PGI category)

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7
Q

gU

A

geschuzte Ursprungbezeichnung (PDO category)

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8
Q

Two levels of gU wines

A

Qualitatswein

Pradikatswein

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9
Q

Levels of the German Pradikat (from lowest to highest)

A
Kabinett
Spatlese
Auslese
Beerenauslese/Eiswein
Trockenbeerenauslese
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10
Q

Level of the German Pradikat that translates to “late harvest”

A

Spatlese

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11
Q

Level of the German Pradikat that translates to “selected harvest”

A

Auslese

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12
Q

Level of the German Pradikat that translates to “selected dried berries”

A

Trockenbeerenauslese

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13
Q

Scale used in Germany to determine grape ripeness (density)

A

The Oechsle Scale

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14
Q

Germany has 13 of these “Quality Wine Regions”

A

Anbaugebiete

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15
Q

Germany has just over 40 of these “regional” or “district-style” appellations

A

Bereiche

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16
Q

Germany has just over 160 of these geographically-based appellations

A

Grosslagen

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17
Q

Germany has over 2700 appellations, which are somewhat “vineyard based”

A

Einzellagen

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18
Q

Germany’s 13 Quality Wine Regions

A

Ahr, Baden, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse, Mittelrhein, Mosel, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Sachen, Wurttemberg

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19
Q

VDP

A

Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter (the Association of German Pradikat Wine Estates)

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20
Q

Four levels of wine/vineyard classification in the VDP scheme

A

Grosse Lage (highest)
Erste Lage
Ortswein
Gutswein

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21
Q

Unfermented grape juice that may be added to wine after fermentation

A

Sussreserve

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22
Q

German sparkling wine produced using the traditional or tank method

A

Sekt

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23
Q

German sparkling wine produced via carbonation

A

Schaumwein

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24
Q

Weissherbst

A

Single-variety rose of at least Qualitatswein-level quality

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25
Q

The Mosel River runs northeast (from Trier) until it flows in to the ______ River.

A

Rhine

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26
Q

Central area of the Mosel

A

Mittelmosel

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27
Q

Two important tributaries of the Mosel

A

Saar

Ruwer

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28
Q

Wine region located along the Rhine River, including 15 miles (24 km) where the river flows west

A

Rheingau

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29
Q

The one (and only) Bereich of the Rheingau

A

Johannisberg

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30
Q

Wine region located to the southwest of the Rheingau

A

Nahe

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31
Q

Leading wine region in terms of area under vine and quantity/output

A

Rheinhessen

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32
Q

Wine region located north of Alsace

A

Pfalz

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33
Q

Wine region located along the Main River

A

Franken

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34
Q

Wine region located to the north of Baden, named for a mountain road

A

Hessische Bergstrasse

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35
Q

Region heavily planted to red grapes, with many vineyards located in teh Neckar River Valley

A

Wurttemberg

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36
Q

Wine region located (in part) along the Rhine River and Lake Constance

A

Baden

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37
Q

Considered the warmest Bereich in Germany

A

Kaiserstuhl (Baden)

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38
Q

Wine region that (despite its northerly location) is planted to 85% red grapes

A

Ahr

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39
Q

Two wine regions in the former East Germany

A

Sachsen

Saale-Unstrut

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40
Q

Where are the northernmost winegrowing regions of Germany located

A

Well above the 50th parallel of latitude and far from the moderating influence of a large body of water

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41
Q

What is Germany’s wine reputation built upon?

A

World-class Riesling

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42
Q

What is true about Riesling?

A

One of the most cold-hardy grape varieties

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43
Q

What are German Rieslings known for?

A

Quality
Complexity
Ageability

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44
Q

Why is Germany consistently among the world’s largest importers of wine?

A

It is a major wine-consuming country and imports the styles of wine it cannot make

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45
Q

Is Germany a major wine exporter?

A

Yes, it is amongst the top ten nations in export

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46
Q

Where is Germany located?

A

In north-central Europe, reaching as far north as Denmark and the Baltic Sea

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47
Q

Where are the winegrowing regions of Germany?

A

With the exception of a few small districts in eastern Germany – all of the wiengrowing areas are in teh southwest quadrant of the country

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48
Q

Where are the majority of Germany’s winegrowing regions found?

A

Near a river or on the shores of Lake Constance

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49
Q

What is Lake Constance called in Germany?

A

Bodensee

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50
Q

What is the lifeblood of the German wine industry?

A

The Rhine River and its tributaries

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51
Q

What does the Rhine River make up?

A

Most of Germany’s border with Switzerland and France as it flows westward from Lake Constance to Switzerland, then along the French-German border north past Alsace, continuing on through western Germany until it flows out of the winegrowing region altogether and into the Netherlands

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52
Q

What is the second important river in Germany?

A

Mosel

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53
Q

Where does the Mosel river flow?

A

Out of France’s Vosges Mountains past Luxembourg, and then northeast through prime wine territory, until it empties into the Rhine

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54
Q

Other name for the Mosel river in France?

A

Moselle

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55
Q

Important tributaries of the Rhine River

A

Ahr
Nahe
Main
Neckar

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56
Q

What is Germany’s climate

A

Northern continental with mild summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation year round

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57
Q

Why are the majority of the vineyards of Germany concentrated near waterways?

A

It is so cool that grapes struggle to ripen before winter arrives. The flowing water moderates local climates and reflects sunlight back onto the vineyards helping to warm the vines in this marginal climate

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58
Q

Which vineyard orientation is advantageous in this northerly latitude?

A

South-facing hillside

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59
Q

Why are south-facing hillside vineyards advantageous?

A

Maximize sun exposure and warmth

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60
Q

Aside from south-facing hillsides, where else is advantageous for German vineyards?

A

As with the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, the north side of the river which benefit from extra sunlight reflecting off the water

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61
Q

Which two places have notable soils in Germany?

A

Mosel

Rheingau

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62
Q

What style of soils are found in Mosel and Rheingau?

A

Dark blue and red slate-based soils

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63
Q

How are the dark blue and red slate-based soils of Mosel and Rheingau helpful?

A

Ideal for absorbing solar heat during the daytime and radiating it back at night

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64
Q

German term for states?

A

Lander

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65
Q

How many Lander are in Germany?

A

16

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66
Q

Where are most of the winegrowing regions located?

A

Primarily in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate

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67
Q

Are red or white grape varieties more predominant in Germany?

A

White

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68
Q

How much of total production is white wine in Germany?

A

2/3rds

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69
Q

How many varieties are permitted in Germany?

A

More than 100, but about 20 encompass almost all of the vineyard acreage

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70
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Germany?

A

Riesling

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71
Q

How much of acreage is planted to Riesling in Germany?

A

More than 1/5th

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72
Q

Where is Riesling especially dominant?

A

Rheingau and Mosel

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73
Q

What is Muller-Thurgau a crossing of?

A

Riesling X Madeline Royale

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74
Q

What is the second most common grape in Germany?

A

Muller-Thurgau

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75
Q

What was Muller Thurgau developed for?

A

Its hardiness, although it is somewhat lacking in resemblance to Riesling in taste and longevity

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76
Q

Other leading white grape varieties of Germany

A
Silvaner
Grauburgunder/Rulander
Weissburgunder
Kerner
Gewurztraminer
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
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77
Q

German name for Pinot Gris

A

Grauburgunder

Rulander

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78
Q

German name for Pinot Blanc

A

Weissburgunder

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79
Q

Is Gewurztraminer widely grown in Germany?

A

No, it is well-known but not widely grown

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80
Q

What is Kerner a crossing of?

A

Riesling X Schiava Grossa

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81
Q

German name for Pinot Noir

A

Spatburgunder

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82
Q

What is the leading red grape of Germany?

A

Spatburgunder

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83
Q

Where does Spatburgunder fall in terms of which grape is grown most in Germany?

A

Third

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84
Q

Other important red grape varieties of Germany

A
Dornfelder
Blauer Portugieser
Trollinger
Blaufrankisch
St. Laurent
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85
Q

What is Dornfelder known for?

A

Deeply-hued red grape known for its floral aromas

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86
Q

What is most of Blauer Portugieser used for?

A

Light red wines or Rose

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87
Q

When was German wine law reformed to match the EU?

A

2009

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88
Q

What are the 3 categories of German wine law?

A

Wein
ggA
gU

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89
Q

How are the categories of German wine law further divided?

A

By geographic loaction and the degree of ripeness achieved by the grapes at harvest

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90
Q

Former name of the Wein category

A

Tafelwien (Table wine)

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91
Q

What is Wein used for?

A

Basic wine; ther are very few guarantees of quality at this level

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92
Q

What is most of Wein made for?

A

Domestic market

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93
Q

What can be done to wines at the Wein level?

A

They may be enriched or chaptalized ot increase the final alcohol hlevel

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94
Q

What is some of the wine at the Wein level?

A

imported bulk wine, mostly from Italy

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95
Q

What is required to use the term Deutscher Wein?

A

Grapes must be 100% German in origin

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96
Q

What does ggA stand for?

A

geschutzte geographische Angabe

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97
Q

What is ggA equivalent to in the EU?

A

PGI

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98
Q

Former name for ggA?

A

Landwein (country wine)

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99
Q

Are ggA quality wines?

A

No, but they are a step up from the basic wein quality

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100
Q

What is required for ggA?

A

Grapes must be slightly riper than those for wein (half a percent more potential alcohol)
85% must be grown in Germany in one of the designated Landwein regions, with the particular region specified on the label

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101
Q

Is Chaptalization allowed in Landwein?

A

Yes

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102
Q

What styles may ggA be produced in?

A

Trocken or Halbtrocken

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103
Q

Trocken

A

Dry

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104
Q

Halbtrocken

A

Off-dry

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105
Q

What does gU stand for?

A

geschutzte Ursprungsbezeichnung

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106
Q

When was gU established?

A

2009

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107
Q

What was gU formerly?

A

Included the wines previously covered by the Qualitatswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) and Qualitatswein mit Pradikat (QmP)

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108
Q

What is the EU equivalent to gU?

A

PDO

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109
Q

What is required for gU?

A

Must carry a place-name on the label, and 100% of the grapes must come from the named region

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110
Q

What are the subcategories of gU?

A

Qualitatswein

Pradikatswein

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111
Q

What are the wines of Qualitatswein defined as?

A

Quality wine from a designated region

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112
Q

What does Qualitatswein represent?

A

Largest proportion of German wine output

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113
Q

What is required for Qualitatswein?

A

Must come from one of thirteen Anbaugebiete
Be made with one of the approved grape varieties
Reach sufficient ripeness for reconition as a quality wine

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114
Q

German specified winegrowing regions

A

Anbaugebiete

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115
Q

How many Anbaugebiete are in Germany?

A

13

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116
Q

Is Chaptalization allowed for Qualitatswein?

A

Yes

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117
Q

What is the highest quality level designation of German wine?

A

Pradikatswein

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118
Q

What is Pradikatswein defined as?

A

Quality wine with attributes

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119
Q

What is required for Pradikatswein?

A

Must be produced from grapes grown within the same 13 Anbaugebiete as Qualitatswein

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120
Q

Is Chaptalization allowed for Pradikatswein?

A

No

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121
Q

How many subcategories are in Pradikatswein?

A

6

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122
Q

German for special attributes

A

Pradikate (subcategories of Pradikatswein

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123
Q

What are the Pradikate based on?

A

ripeness levels achieved in the vineyard

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124
Q

What are the Pradikate in ascending order of grape ripeness?

A
Kabinett
Spatlese
Auslese
Beerenauslese
Eiswein
Trockenbeerenauslese
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125
Q

Kabinett wine

A

Light to medium bodied wines made from grapes with the lowest ripeness level. Avg. alcohol is 7% to 10%

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126
Q

What does Spatlese mean?

A

Late Harvest

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127
Q

Spatlese wine

A

Wines of additional ripeness made from grapes harvested after a designated picking date. With the extra ripening time, the grapes develop more intense flavors and aromas than Kabinett

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128
Q

What does Auslese mean?

A

Selected harvest

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129
Q

Auslese wine

A

Wines made from grapes that have stayed on the vine long enough to have a required level of sugar. These wines can be intense in bouquet and taste, and have a potential alcohol level in excess of 14%

130
Q

What does Beerenauslese mean?

A

Selected berries

131
Q

Beerenauslese wine

A

Rich, sweet dessert wine made from individually harvested berries that are sweeter than Auslese and that may also be affected by the honeyed influence of botrytis

132
Q

German name for Botrytis

A

Edelfaule

133
Q

What does Eiswein mean?

A

Ice Wine

134
Q

Eiswein

A

Wines made from frozen grapes harvested at a BA level of ripeness or higher. Having already become overripe from staying on the vine until as late as January, these grapes are harvested after they freeze in the vineyard. They are crushed immediately, and much of the water in the berries is discarded as ice, leaving grape must with a very high sugar level

135
Q

What does Trockenbeerenauslese mean?

A

Selected dried berries

136
Q

Trockenbeerenauslese wine

A

Wines from individually picked berries that are overripe to the point of being raisins and often further shriveled by botrytis. Considered to be among the world’s greates dessert wines

137
Q

Are the six Pradikat levels in terms of quality?

A

No

138
Q

Which Pradikat is considered the most basic?

A

Kabinett

139
Q

What are the differences in Pradikat generally?

A

More stylistic and a matter of taste than indicative of an absolute scale of quality

140
Q

What are the three dessert wine levels?

A

Beerenauslese
Eiswein
Trockenbeerenauslese

141
Q

How much of production is BA, Eiswein, and TBA?

A

A very small fraction

142
Q

What do the Pradikat levels ensure?

A

That the grapes used in wine have achieved a minimum level of ripeness

143
Q

Why are the riper levels of the Pradikat considered more desirable?

A

Because the use of underripe grapes may result in wines that are highly acidic, light in alcohol, and with flavors that are not fully developed

144
Q

How is the ripeness of the grapes assessed?

A

By measuring the amount of sugar present in degrees Oechsle

145
Q

What is the Oechsle system based on?

A

The density or must weight of the juice (the more solids, primarily sugar, in the juice, the denser the liquid will be

146
Q

Why does the Oechsle level not necessarily translate to sweetness?

A

High sugar content can lead to either high alcohol content in a dry wine or high sweetness levels in a low-alcohol wine, or anything in between, depending on the winemaker’s preference

147
Q

How much of all German wine production is dry?

A

About 2/3rds

148
Q

Formula for Oechsle

A

Oechsle = (density - 1.0) x 1000

For Example, must with a density reading of 1.074 is said to measure 74 degrees Oechsle

149
Q

What is the Oechsle range for wine?

A

40s (seriouslly underripe) to well over 150 in dried grapes

150
Q

How many Oechsle are Kabinett grapes?

A

Range form 70 to 85 degrees Oechsle

151
Q

What are the 4 geographic indications of German wine from biggest to smallest

A

Anbaugebiete
Bereiche
Grosslagen
Einzellagen

152
Q

Anbaugebiete

A

Wine Region

153
Q

How many Bereiche are in Germany?

A

approximately 40

154
Q

What is a Bereich?

A

A regional or district appellation, along the lines of AOC Cotes du Rhone, DO Catalunya, or a country within the United States

155
Q

Each Anbaugebiete have at least how many Bereich?

A

One

156
Q

How many Grosslagen are in Germany?

A

approximately 160

157
Q

What is a Grosslage?

A

Grouping of numerous vineyards into a convenient administrative package

158
Q

Are Grosslage indicative of the terroir found?

A

No, there was little, if any effort to take terroir into account when these areas were established, so they are largely meaningless from a terroir standpoint

159
Q

How many Grosslagen in each Bereich?

A

Mulitple

160
Q

How many Einzellagen in Germany?

A

More than 2700

161
Q

What is an Einzellage?

A

In theory, a single vineyard, but in actuality relatively small vineyard areas with reasonably homogeneous conditions

162
Q

Why are Einzellage not necessarily single vineyards?

A

Because they were created by cobbling together tiny vineyards into new vineyards with a minimum of 5ha

163
Q

How many Einzellagen were there formerly?

A

Over 30000

164
Q

What is the intention of the German appellation system?

A

To provide additional information to accompany the quality classifications and Pradikat designations based on ripeness levels

165
Q

Are German regulations more New World or more French?

A

New World, they carry only very loose restrictions on viticulture and winemaking. They merely name the geographical location where the grapes were grown

166
Q

What typically preceeds a Grosslage or Einzellage on the label?

A

The village name

167
Q

Why is the addition of a village name helpful on a German wine label?

A

Many of the Grosslagen and Einzellagen stretch across several towns, and some names occur more than once, at separate locations. Without good reference, it is often difficult to tell a Grosslage from an Einzellage.

168
Q

What does the Sonnenuhr vineyard encompass?

A

Wehlener Sonnenuhr (vallage of Wehlen) and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr (in the adjacent village of Zeltingen)

169
Q

Do the terms Einzellage, Grosslage, or Bereich appear on a German wine label?

A

Only Bereich is seen (and that isn’t mandatory)

170
Q

What are wines made by the grape growers labeled as in Germany?

A

Erzeugerabfullung

Gutsabfullung

171
Q

What is Gutsabfullung equivalent to?

A

Estate bottled

172
Q

What is Erzeugerabfullung equivalent to?

A

Producer bottled (this also includes cooperatives of growers)

173
Q

What does the term Abfuller indicate?

A

A wine produced at a commercial winery that buys grapes from other sources

174
Q

What do all German PDO wines have on the label?

A

AP Number (Amtliche Prufungsnummer)

175
Q

What does the AP number identify?

A

Its issued after government approval and identifies the wine and the specific testing center where it was approved, as well as the village of origin, winery of origin, and other information

176
Q

What is the VDP?

A

Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter (Association of German Pradikat Wine Estates) is an organization of Germany’s leading wine estates committed to terroir-driven viticulture

177
Q

Who announced Germany’s first classification system for individual vineyards?

A

VDP

178
Q

When did the VDP announce Germany’s first classification system for individual vineyards?

A

2002

179
Q

What did the VDP use as a model for its classification system of individual vineyards?

A

Burgundy

180
Q

When was the VDP system further refined?

A

2012

181
Q

What are the four levels of classification in the VDP from highest to lowest?

A

VDP Grosse Lage
VDP Erste Lage
VDP Orswein
VDP Gutswein

182
Q

What does Grosse Lage translate to?

A

Great Site

183
Q

VDP Grosse Lage

A

Highest level vineyards of the estate

184
Q

For a wine to carry the GG labelling what is necessary?

A

Must be from the Grosse Lage level
Must be dry
Labeled Qualitatswein Trocken

185
Q

What does GG stand for?

A

Grosses Gewachs

186
Q

How are wines with sweetness labelled at the Grosse Lage, Erste Lage, or Ortswein level?

A

Using the Pradikat system

187
Q

What does Erste Lage translate to?

A

First Site

188
Q

VDP Erste Lage

A

Second-highest level vineyards of the Estate

189
Q

How are dry wines at the Erste Lage level labelled?

A

Qualitatswein Trocken

190
Q

What is the German term for off dry?

A

Halbtrocken or Feinherb

191
Q

What does Ortswein translate to?

A

Classified site wine

192
Q

VDP Ortswein

A

Wines sourced from vineyards at the equivalent of a village appellation

193
Q

How can Ortswein be labelled?

A

As Qualitatswein Trocken (dry)
Feinherb/Halbtrocken (off-dry)
Pradikat (sweet)

194
Q

VDP Gutswein

A

Represents good entry-level wines, equivalent to an estate wine or regional wine. The wines originate from an estate’s holdings within a region, and they meet the stringent standards prescribed by the VDP.

195
Q

What is different under the VDP (Grosse Lage, Erste Lage, and Ortswein) in relation to the Pradikats?

A

The Pradikats are only used for wines that retain some natural sweetness. Dry wines carry the term Trocken.

196
Q

Why does the VDP not use the Pradikat system for dry wines?

A

They believe this is the original meaning of the Pradikat – to reflect wines carrying natural sweetness, as opposed to the modern use of the term which does not reflect a correlation between Pradikat and actual taste profile

197
Q

How long are grapes left on the vine in Germany?

A

as long as possible to get as ripe as they can, and are often brought into the winery just before winter set in

198
Q

How did the cold temperatures of Germany affect the period after harvest?

A

Had a tendency to stop the new wine’s fermentation before all sugars had been converted to alcohol

199
Q

Was the stopping of fermentation early a good or bad thing for the wines of Germany?

A

Good, given the high acidity of Riesling and some of the other varieties (especially when underripe)

200
Q

What is the typical style of German white wines?

A

Somewhere between off-dry and fully sweet

201
Q

Why did German wines transition to more dry white wines?

A

When tastes changed in the late 20th century consumers switched to drier wines, and German exports plummeted.

202
Q

How much of German wine production is red?

A

More than one third

203
Q

Why are there special winemaking considerations in Germany?

A

In the lower categories, the natural sugar in the grapes is so low that the potential alcohol level is barely enough for the wine to be stable and meet the legal definition of wine. So alternative choices are provided in Germany to boost that.

204
Q

What are the winemaker’s choices if the grapes do not have enough natural sugar?

A

Make a low-alcohol dry wine
Chaptalize
Make a low-alcohol sweet wine by adding sussreserve after fermenting to dryness

205
Q

What is the flaw in low-alcohol dry wines in Germany?

A

Thin and extremely acidic

206
Q

What is chaptalization?

A

Adding sugar to the must before fermentation to increase the potential alcohol level

207
Q

Sussreserve

A

Unfermented grape juice added to a wine to increase sweetness

208
Q

When is sussreserve added?

A

After the wine has been fermented to dryness

209
Q

Is Chaptalization allowed in wines at the Pradikatswein level?

A

No, grapes at this level have sufficient potential alcohol to produce stable wine even if the fermentation is stopped early

210
Q

What are a winemaker’s choices in making Pradikatswein wines?

A

Make a medium to high alcohol dry wine
Make a medium alcohol, moderately sweet wine by stopping the fermentation prior to completion
Make a low-alcohol, very sweet wine by stopping the fermentation even earlier

211
Q

How can you tell how sweet a German wine is by looking at the label?

A

There is no definite way, minus looking for RS or sweetness terms on the label. There is no mandatory system that makes it clear.

212
Q

How much RS in trocken wines?

A

Dry – up to 9 g/L (No more than 2 g/L above acidity level)

213
Q

How much RS in halbtrocken wines?

A

9-18 g/L (No more than 10 g/L above acidity level

214
Q

How much RS in feinherb wines?

A

Not legally defined but generally the same as halbtrocken

215
Q

German term for half-sweet

A

Lieblich/Halbsuss

216
Q

How much RS in lieblich/halbsuss wines?

A

18-45 g/L

217
Q

German term for sweet

A

Suss

218
Q

How much RS in Suss wines?

A

More than 45 g/L

219
Q

When was the Riesling Taste Profile created?

A

2008

220
Q

What was the purpose of the Riesling Taste Profile?

A

Attempt to clarify sweetness levels for the consumer, it permits Riesling producers to use a scale on their back labels to indicate the sweetness level

221
Q

Who created the Riesling Taste Profile?

A

International Riesling Foundation

222
Q

Is participation in the Riesling Taste Profile mandatory?

A

No, its voluntary but it has caught on with some producers

223
Q

Who determines where the arrow falls on the scale for the Riesling Taste Profile?

A

The individual winery based on a set of technical guidelines in concert with its tasting assessment

224
Q

What is generally true about the dessert wines in the Pradikat (BA, TBA, Eiswein)?

A

Low in alcohol
High in acid
Very sweet

225
Q

How do TBA/BA differ from Eiswein?

A

As the grapes for Eiswein haven’t necessarily been affected by noble rot – the Botrytis flavors and aromas won’t be present

226
Q

What determines the required minimum ripeness for BA, Eiswein, and TBA grapes?

A

Anbaugebiet

227
Q

What is the Oechsle range for BA and Eiswein?

A

110 to 125 degrees Oechsle

228
Q

What is the Oechsle range for TBA?

A

150 to 154 degrees Oechsle

229
Q

How must grapes for German Eiswein be harvested?

A

While frozen on the fine at an ideal emperature of at least -8C/18F; Thus most grapes are harvested in teh early hours of the morning, often before dawn

230
Q

When is the harvest for German Eiswein?

A

Often begins in November or December, but can possibly occur in January or February of the year following the harvest for the more typical styles of wine

231
Q

What does the vintage on Eiswein represent?

A

The calender year of the growing season (not necessarily the harvest date)

232
Q

How much growth has German red wine production seen in the last two decades?

A

More than doubled – now accounts for 36% of Germany’s acreage

233
Q

Where are the red wine vineyards of Germany found?

A

Warmer south of the country, particularly in Wurttemberg and Baden

234
Q

Are German reds typically light or full bodied?

A

Light, as even in the “warmer” growing region – it is still cool. Additionally the main grape variety is Spatburgunder which is itself light

235
Q

What is required to use Weissherbst on the label?

A

Must be made from a single variety of at least Qualitatswein quality

236
Q

Why does Germany make a lot of sparkling wine?

A

Because high-acid, slightly underripe grapes are the perfect ingredient for it

237
Q

How does Germany rate in terms of sparkling wine consumption?

A

As the world’s highest per-capita

238
Q

How is German Sekt produced?

A

Traditionally using the tank method (although the use of the traditional method is allowed)

239
Q

Is all German Sekt dry?

A

No, off-dry and semisweet versions are widely produced and very popular

240
Q

What is Schaumwein?

A

Foam wine

Simple, fruity aerated sparkling wines made using carbonation

241
Q

What grape varieties are used for German sparkling?

A

Spatburgunder, and a wide variety of white grapes

242
Q

What is Mosel well known for?

A

High-acid Riesling

243
Q

How much of total production is in Mosel?

A

1/6th

244
Q

Where does the Mosel river flow?

A

past some of Germany’s most famous vineyard sites as it flows from Trier northeast to Koblenz, wher it joins the Rhine

245
Q

What is true about the Mosel river?

A

It is tortuously winding, and its banks are often very steep

246
Q

What is the most northerly great wine region in the world?

A

Mosel

247
Q

Where are the best-performing vineyards in Mosel?

A

Facing south on steep slopes, providing the ideal aspect for maximizing sun exposure.

248
Q

Aside from aspect, what helps warm the vines of Mosel?

A

Blue slate soils that assist with heat retention

249
Q

What helps raise sugar levels of the grapes in Mosel?

A

Some hot summer days during the peak growing season. Sugar is raised without sacrificing acidity

250
Q

What is the former name of Mosel?

A

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

251
Q

When did Mosel-Saar-Ruwer transition to being Mosel?

A

2007

252
Q

What are the two most important side tributaries of Mosel?

A

Saar

Ruwer

253
Q

Where are most of the famous sites of Mosel?

A

Central area – known as Mittelmosel

254
Q

How much of Mosel’s acreage is Riesling?

A

60%; Muller-Thurgau makes up most of the rest

255
Q

What is slowly replacing Muller-Thurgau in terms of acreage?

A

More Riesling/Red varieties

256
Q

How much of Mosel is planted to red varieties?

A

Less than 10%

257
Q

What is the hallmark of Riesling?

A

Acidity

258
Q

Mosel Riesling profile

A

High acidity balanced by rich flavors of stone fruits and honey and, sometimes a moderate sweetness

259
Q

How much alcohol is typical for Mosel wines?

A

Usually no more than 10%

260
Q

What color bottles are used in Mosel?

A

Green

261
Q

How many Bereiche in Mosel?

A

6, including Bernkastel, Burg Cochem, Saar, and Ruwertal

262
Q

Which region has the most Einzellagen?

A

Mosel

263
Q

How many Einzellagen in Mosel?

A

More than 500

264
Q

What is the most famous stretch of vineyards along the Rhine?

A

Rheingau

265
Q

How much of Germany’s total production is from Rheingau?

A

2%, although its reputation is equal to Mosel

266
Q

Why do the vineyard’s of Rheingau have the most famous position on the Rhine?

A

Because for about 15 miles (24km) after passing the cities of Mainz and Wiesbaden, the Rhine flows westward, giving the entire right bank an ideal southern exposure, with additional sunlihgt reflecting up from the wide river.

267
Q

What does the macroclimate of Rheingau allow for?

A

Maximum sun and warmth, along with protection from cold north winds

268
Q

What else regulates temperatures of Rheingau’s vines?

A

The red slate soils which hold heat during the day and radiate it onto the vines overnight

269
Q

What grape variety are the vineyards with the best reputations planted to?

A

Riesling

270
Q

How much of Rheingau is planted to Riesling?

A

More than 3/4ths

271
Q

General style of Rheingau Riesling

A

Elegant & Full-bodied

272
Q

What takes up more than half of the remaining acreage in Rheingau?

A

Spatburgunder – as there is enough warmth to ripen it

273
Q

How many Bereiche in Rheingau?

A

One

274
Q

What is the Bereich of Rheingau?

A

Johannisberg

275
Q

How many Einzellagen in Rheingau?

A

More than 120

276
Q

Where is Nahe?

A

Southwest of Rheingau, where the river of the same name flows into the Rhine.

277
Q

Where is the Nahe valley and what is produced there?

A

West of Rheinhessen; Rieslings that are well respected, if not especially well-known

278
Q

Does Nahe produce more white or red?

A

White

279
Q

How much production in Nahe is Riesling?

A

About 1/4th

280
Q

Where are the fine vineyard sites of Nahe?

A

South facing slopes of the mainly east-west valleys of the Nahe and its tributaries

281
Q

Where is Rheinhessen?

A

South and west bank of the Rhine across form the Rheingau and north of the Pfalz

282
Q

What does Rheingau lead Germany in?

A

Area under vine and overall wine production

283
Q

What is the aspect/climate of Rheinhessen?

A

Low, flat plateau; Warm, dry climate

284
Q

What are the grapes of Rheinhessen planted to?

A

Riesling and Muller Thurgau, but Dornfelder is not far behind

285
Q

What color are the bottles in Rheingau?

A

Brown

286
Q

Where is Pfalz?

A

To the west of the Rhine, and its southern edge is not far from the tip of French Alsace

287
Q

What is the second largest Anbaugebiet in terms of acreage?

A

Pfalz

288
Q

Where did the name Pfalz come from?

A

the Latin word palatium meaning palace

289
Q

Another name for Pfalz?

A

Palatinate

290
Q

Climate of Pfalz

A

Sunny and warm during the growing season

291
Q

What is Pfalz known for?

A

This fertile region is known mainly for simple, inexpensive wines produced in large quantities, but that is changing as some vintners begin to focus on low yields and premium bottlings

292
Q

How much of German Riesling is produced in Pfalz?

A

1/4th

293
Q

Where is Franken?

A

Easternmost Anbaugebiet of the former West Germany. It covers a large area of the Main River Valley

294
Q

Climate of Franken

A

Cold with a short growing season

295
Q

Because of the climate and growing season in Franken – what is produced?

A

Earlier-ripening varieties of Muller Thurgau and Silvaner; mainly known for everyday white wines

296
Q

What kind of bottling is used for Franconian wines?

A

Squat green or brown flask – Bockbeutel

297
Q

Where is Hessische Bergstrasse?

A

It is a spur off the northern part of Baden encompassing only 1000 acres (405ha)

298
Q

What is planted in Hessische Bergstrasse?

A

White wines; almost half of the acreage is Riesling

299
Q

What is the meaning of Hessische Bergstrasse?

A

Hessian Mountain Road

300
Q

What does Wurttemberg focus on?

A

Red wine

301
Q

How much of Wurttemberg is red wine?

A

almost 70%

302
Q

Main grape varieties of Wurttemberg?

A

Trollinger
Schwarzriesling
Lemberger

303
Q

Alternate name for Schwarzriesling

A

Pinot Meunier

304
Q

Where are most of the wines of Wurttemberg planted?

A

On the slopes of the Neckar RIver Valley and on the banks of the Neckar’s tributaries, but a few are isolated well south on the shore of Lake COnstance

305
Q

What is higher in Wurttemberg than in any other region?

A

Rainfall and humidity

306
Q

Geographically, which region in Germany covers the most ground?

A

Baden – stretching 150 miles (240km) along the eastern bank of the Rhine between Mannheim and Switzerland

307
Q

Is Baden the leader in vineyard acreage?

A

No, even with its size only a fraction of the area is planted to grapes. It is third in vineyard acreage after Rheinhessen and Pfalz

308
Q

What is Baden made up of?

A

Two large unconnected segments along the east side of the Rhine, plus three small subareas along western Lake Constance.

309
Q

What is Germany’s warmest growing area?

A

Baden’s Kaiserstuhl Bereich

310
Q

What is the most planted variety in Baden?

A

Spatburgunder (followed by Muller-Thurgau and Grauburgunder)

311
Q

How large is Ahr?

A

One of Germany’s smalles with just over 1300 acres (526 ha) planted

312
Q

Where is Ahr?

A

One of the northernmost regions

313
Q

What is Ahr known for?

A

Red wines (almost 85% of total production)

314
Q

Main grape variety of Ahr

A

Spatburgunder, although Portugieser and Dornfelder are also planted

315
Q

Where is Mittelrhein?

A

Along a stretch of the Rhine Valley downriver (north) from the Rheingau

316
Q

What does the Mittelrhein feature?

A

Steep banks dotted with castles and small vineyards

317
Q

What are most of the terraced vineyards of Mittelrhein planted to?

A

Riesling

318
Q

Where are Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut?

A

Part of the former East Germany, they are the northernmost and easternmost of the German Anbaugebiete

319
Q

How big are Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut together?

A

2600 acreas (1,050ha)

320
Q

Do Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut produce a lot of wine?

A

No

321
Q

What are the grape varieties of Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut

A

Muller Thurgau
Riesling
Weissburgunder