Germany: Wine Laws and Regulations Flashcards
Name the four levels of German wine in increasing order of must weight
Deutscher Wein
Landwein
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein
What wines come under the Deutscher Wein level?
Wines without a geographical indication made exclusively with German grown grapes
What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Deutscher Wein?
8.5% - 15% ABV
What price point is most Deutscher Wein?
Inexpensive, to be consumed young
What is the name given to the German equivalent of IGP wine?
Landwein
What percentage of grapes must be from the Landwein region on a label?
85% minimum
What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Landwein?
8.5% - 15% ABV
Is Landwein mostly made in a trocken, halbtrocken, or sweet style?
In most regions, wines can only be made in a trocken or halbtrocken style
In some regions sweet Landwein is permitted
Where must grapes come from to be labelled as Qualitätswein?
All grapes must come exclusively from one of the 13 designated quality wine regions (Anbaugebiete), the name of which must appear on the label
What style of wines can be made as Qualitätswein?
All styles are permitted
What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Qualitätswein?
Is enrichment permitted?
Minimum 7%
There is no maximum
Enrichment is permitted
What levels of wine in Germany must undergo lab analysis and blind tasting prior to release?
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein
Where must grapes come from to be labelled as Prädikatswein?
Grapes must come exclusively from a Bereich, one of forty recognised wine producing districts, smaller than the Anbaugebieten
For Prädikatswein, does the Bereich need to feature on the label?
The Bereich does not need to, and increasingly does not, feature on the wine label.
The name of the Anbaugebiete must feature
What grape varieties are permitted in Prädikatswein?
Any, although it is mainly associated with Riesling
How much Prädikatswein is produced each year in comparison to Qualitätswein?
Prädikatswein production is usually half that of Qualitätswein
In the best vintages, the amounts can be the same
Name the six Prädikat levels in order of increasing must weights
Kabinett Spätlese Auslese Beerenauslese Eiswein Trockenbeerenauslese
Give a typical tasting note for a Kabinett Riesling
Green and citrus fruit aroma High acidity Dry to medium sweet Light to medium (-) body Low to medium alcohol (depending on sweetness)
What is the minimum alcohol level for Kabinett wines?
7% ABV
Give a typical tasting note for a Spätlese Riesling, comparing with Kabinett
More stone fruit than Kabinett (riper fruit)
High acidity (marginally lower than Kabinett)
Dry to medium sweet
Fuller bodied than Kabinett
Higher alcohol at a comparable level of residual sugar
What is the minimum alcohol level for Spätlese wines?
7% ABV
How do harvest dates for grapes destined for Spätlese and Kabinett wines differ?
Spätlese is produced from fully ripened grapes that are picked two weeks later than those destined for Kabinett