Germany Overview: GIs, Wine Law, Prädikats Flashcards
Learn the major regions, Prädikat system, climate, and topography of Germany.
Germany has some of the ____most and ____est vineyards in the northern hemisphere.
Northernmost and coolest vineyards in the northern hemisphere
What is the principal white grape of Germany?
Riesling
What are the 2 main rivers in Germany and in what regions are they?
Mosel River = runs through the Mosel region
Rhine River = runs through the Rheingau region
German wine regions are called ______.
Anbaugebiete (ahn-BAU-guh-beet)
Germany has 13 anbaugebiete (wine regions).
Which 4 do you need to know for the exam?
- Mosel
- Rheingau
- Rheinhessen
- Pfalz
In which quadrant of Germany are the bulk of Germany’s wine regions located?
Southwestern quadrant, near France and Switzerland.
What is the general climate of Germany?
Cool Continental
What are some features that help moderate the climate of Germany?
- Rivers (e.g. the Mosel and Rhine)
- Mountains (e.g. Tanus, Haardt)
Besides moderating climate, what other benefit do rivers provide?
Reflect sunlight, which is vital to ripening grapes in cool growing regions like Germany.
Generally, where are grapes planted in Germany?:
- valley floors facing any direction
- hillsides facing south
Hillsides facing south
Remember, Germany is very far north so vineyards are planted on south-facing hillsides as they need to soak up as much sunshine as possible to ripen.
What are the soils of Germany?
They vary depending on the region, but the top vineyards are planted on:
- Blue slate (Mosel)
- Red slate (Rheingau)
- Basalt (Baden, but you don’t have to know Baden for this exam - just know Basalt soil)
What are the advantages of German vineyards being planted on slate and basalt?
- Absorb heat during the day
- Release that heat overnight in this very cool climate
What are the white grapes of Germany?
- Riesling
- Müller-Thurgau
- Silvaner
What is Germany’s red grape?
Pinot Noir, aka Spätburgunder
What percent of production in Germany is white wine?
70%
What fermentation vessels are typically used in Germany?
- Stainless steel
- Large, old, neutral barrels