Germany - Wine Regions Flashcards
What are the four regions with the highest production? How much is it?
- Rheinhessen
- Pfalz
- Baden
- Württemberg
- 80% of production
Rheinhessen
Describe the climate. What type is it ideal for?
- Warm and dry region, sheltered by mountain ranges (Hunsrück, Taunus)
- Majority on warm, fertile valley floors, ideal for high volume, inexpensive wines
Rheinhessen
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (70%)
- Riesling (most planted)
- Müller-Thurgau
- Silvaner
- Grauburgunder
- Weissburgunder
- Black (30%)
- Dornfelder
- Spätburgunder
Rheinhessen
What percentage of German vineyard does it cover?
25%
Rheinhessen
What is the focus of production?
High volume production by merchant houses dominates
Rheinhessen
Name two significant producers
- Weingut Gunderloch
- Weingut Keller
Rheinhessen
Name the two best areas
- Rheinterrasse
- Wonnegau
Rheinhessen
Describe the area “Rheinterrasse”
- Steeply-sloping, east-facing -> warming sun in the morning
- Rhein moderates temperatures and extends ripening period
- Best site: “Roter Hang” with iron-rich red soil (slate, clay, sandstone) -> Riesling shows smoky characteristics
Rheinhessen
What are the two important grapes in “Wonnegau”?
Riesling and Spätburgunder
Pfalz
Describe the climate
- Not centered along a river valley
- Driest region in Germany (potentially drought)
Pfalz
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (65%)
- Riesling (most planted)
- Müller-Thurgau
- Grauburgunder
- Weissburgunder
- Black (35%)
- Dornfelder
- Spätburgunder
Pfalz
Describe the soil
Wide variety of soils including limestone sandstone basalt and clay
Pfalz
Name the two best areas
- Mittelhaardt (in the north around Bad Dürkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg)
- Südliche Weinstrasse (in the south)
Pfalz
Describe the area “Mittelhaardt”
South- or east-facing steeply sloping vineyards -> max sunshine and protection from winds
Pfalz
What is the “Südliche Weinstrasse” known for and what is a recent trend?
- Traditionally inexpensive wine production
- Increased quality in recent years, especialls from Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder
Pfalz
Who dominates high volume and who quality wine production?
- High volume dominated by merchant houses
- Quality wine mostly produced by small estates and co-operatives
Pfalz
Name two significant producers
- Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (small estate)
- Winzerverein Deidesheim (co-operative)
Baden
Where is it located and from where to where does it spread?
- Eastern side of the Rhine (opposite Alsace)
- Multiple distinct areas (Bereiche)
- Spreads from north of Heidelberg to the Swiss border in the south with some vineyards wound the east of the Bodensee
Baden
Describe the climate
- Benefits from the rain shadow of the Vosges
- Warmest, sunniest, and driest region in Germany
Baden
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (60%)
- Müller-Thurgau (high-volume, inexpensive blends)
- Grauburgunder (very good, often oak)
- Weissburgunder (very good, often oak)
- Chardonnay (very good, often oak)
- Black (40%)
- Spätburgunder (often oak)
Baden
Name the two best areas
- Kaiserstuhl (extinct volcano)
- Ortenau, Tuniberg, Breisgau (cooler)
Baden
Describe the area Kaiserstuhl and the respective style of wine
- Extinct volcano
- Steep, south-facing slopes
- Fullest-bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, smoky flavors
Baden
Describe the soil and winetype of the areas Ortenau, Tuniberg, and Breisgau
Calcareous soil, so wines have more acidity and delicate fruit flavors
Baden
What share of production is from co-operatives? And name one example
- 75% of production from co-operatives
- e.g., Badischer Winzerkeller
Baden
Name a high-quality small estate
Bernhard Huber
Württemberg
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- Black (70%)
- Trollinger
- Lemberger
- Schwarzriesling
- White (30%)
- Riesling
Württemberg
Describe the two styles of red wines produced
- Mainly light, fruity red wines with the majority from the co-operative Möglingen
- Sometimes fuller-bodied Lemberger with riper flavors, higher alcohol, and oak usage
Württemberg
Name the best area, the quality of the wines and the topography
- River Neckar
- Very good quality wines
- Steep, terraced vineyards
Württemberg
Name two significant producers
- Reiner Schnaitmann
- Württembergische Weingärtner (co-operative)
Mosel
Why are Rieslings from the Mosel so expensive?
- Steep sites are very labor expensive
- Low yields required to make very sweet wines
Mosel
Where are the best vineyards located and why?
- Best vineyards on steep, south-facing slopes
- Sun exposure and sunshine reflection from the river
Mosel
What is the main soil type and how does it help with grape growing?
Dark-colored slate that radiates heat
Mosel
How much of grapes planted is white and how much Riesling?
- 90% white
- 60% Riesling
Mosel
What is the typical style? (color, body, alcohol, acidity, aromas, ageing)
- Paler color
- Lighter body
- Lower alcohol
- Higher acidity
- Pronounced floral and green fruit aromas
- Long ageing potential
Mosel
What is the reputation of the region?
- Strong reputation for producing sweet wines (dry production increases)
- Almost always cold enough to produce Eiswein
Mosel
In what three parts is it split and what is the best part?
- Upper Mosel
- Middle Mosel (largest and best)
- Lower Mosel
Mosel
Name the 7 important towns incl. their most famous vineyards
- Bernkastel (Doctor)
- Brauneberg (Juffer, Juffer-Sonnenuhr)
- Erden (Treppchen, Prälat)
- Graach (Himmelreich, Domprobst)
- Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
- Ürzig (Würzgarten)
- Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
Mosel
What are the characteristics of the rivers Saar and Ruwer?
- Slightly higher altitude
- Even lower temperatures
- Higher acidity
Mosel
What is the most famous vineyard in Saar?
Scharzhofberg
Mosel
How much of the production comes from the Moselland co-operative?
20%
Mosel
Name two significant producers
- Egon Müller
- Markus Molitor
Mosel
Name a major wine company
F.W. Langguth (brands: Erben and Blue Nun)
Franken
Describe the climate
Most continental climate -> spring frost can be a problem
Franken
Along which river are the vineyards spread?
W-shaped course along the south-facing slopes of the Main
Franken
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (80%)
- Müller-Thurgau
- Riesling
- Silvaner
- Black (20%)
- Spätburgunder
Franken
What is the budding/ripening time of Silvaner?
Early-budding, early-ripening -> full ripeness before autumn
Franken
Where is Silvaner planted?
South- and south-east facing slopes on chalk soil
Franken
Describe the style of higher quality Silvaner (sweetness, body, aromas, quality)
- Dry
- Full body
- Floral and wet stones
- Some of the region’s best and most distinct wines
Franken
Name two significant producers
- Weingut Rudolf Fürst
- Horst Sauer
Franken
Name two charitable institutions
- Bürgerspital
- Juliusspital
Nahe
What protects the area and what is its influence?
- Protected by Hunsrück mountains
- Mild temperatures
- Low rainfall
Nahe
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (75%)
- Riesling
- Müller-Thurgau
- Grau-/Weissburgunder
- Black (25%)
- Dornfelder
- Spätburgunder
Nahe
How is the style of Riesling compared to Mosel and Rheingau/Rheinhessen?
- Slightly lower acidity and riper fruit
- Body: more than Mosel, but less than Rheingau and Rheinhessen
Nahe
Where are the best vineyards located?
In the east of the region on south-facing banks of the Nahe between Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach
Nahe
Name two significant producers
- Weingut Dönnhof
- Emrich Schönleber
Nahe
What temperatures and soils are in the best vineyards?
- Warmest conditions and moderating influences
- Soils are a mixture of slate and sandstone
Rheingau
What is the focus of this region?
Focus on quality with smaller yields
Rheingau
What style of wine is the region famous for?
Some of the highest quality Rieslings that are most ageworthy and fuller-bodied
Rheingau
Describe the climate (protection and moderating influence)
- Protected from cold, northerly winds by Taunus mountains
- Moderating influence from the Rhein (1km wide)
- Rhein increases humidity which is good for botrytis
Rheingau
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
- White (85%)
- Riesling
- Black (15%)
- Spätburgunder
Rheingau
How much is planted to Riesling and in what style is it mostly made?
- 80%
- Dry
Rheingau
What is the best site for Spätburgunder of very good to outstanding quality?
Steep south-west facing Höllenberg vineyard around Assmannshausen
Rheingau
What are the soils (east/west)
- East: Sand, loam, and loess
- West: Sandstone and slate
Rheingau
Around what cities are the best vineyards located? What is their characteristic?
- Rüdesheim, Geisenheim, Johannisberg, Hattenheim, and Erbach
- Steep slopes with best sites on mid-slopes
Rheingau
What type of business dominates production?
Estates
Rheingau
Name three estates
- Schloss Johannisberg
- Schloss Vollrads
- Kloster Eberbach (state-owned)
Ahr
Describe the climate and location
- Most northerly
- Sheltered valley with steep, south-facing slopes along the river Ahr
Ahr
What soil type dominates?
Heat-retaining dark slate and greywacke (dark sandstone)
Ahr
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
Black (85%), mostly Spätburgunder
Ahr
What type of red wine was traditionally produced? What is the style today?
- Traditionally: late harvested and produced with residual sweetness
- Today: very good Spätburgunder, dry, high tannins, and spice notes from oak ageing
Ahr
What type of business dominates production?
Co-operatives (75%)
Ahr
Name a significant co-operative and small estate
- Mayschoss (co-operative)
- Jean Stodden
