Germany - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards
What is Germany’s most planted grape variety?
Riesling.
What is the climate of Germany’s wine regions?
Cool continental, with long, slow ripening seasons.
How does Germany’s climate affect wine production?
Produces wines with high acidity and a wide range of sweetness levels.
What is the classification system for German PDO wines?
Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein.
What are the six Prädikat levels in German wine law?
Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese (BA), Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).
What is Spätburgunder?
The German name for Pinot Noir.
What is Müller-Thurgau?
A crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale, known for early ripening and light, floral wines.
What is Silvaner, and where is it most prominent?
A white grape with earthy qualities, particularly strong in Franken.
Name two key black grape varieties in Germany besides Spätburgunder.
Dornfelder and Portugieser.
What are Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder?
German names for Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, respectively.
What defines Kabinett wines?
Light-bodied wines with high acidity and flavors of green apple or citrus, often slightly sweet.
What is the key difference between Spätlese and Auslese wines?
Spätlese is made from late-harvest grapes, while Auslese uses selectively picked, extra-ripe bunches.
What is Eiswein?
Sweet wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, focusing on varietal purity and balance.
What characterizes Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines?
Intensely sweet wines made from noble rot-affected berries, with honey, dried fruit, and floral flavors.
What distinguishes Qualitätswein from Prädikatswein?
Qualitätswein is typically dry, while Prädikatswein includes various sweetness levels.
What are Germany’s 13 PDO regions called?
Anbaugebiete.
What distinguishes Mosel Rieslings?
Light-bodied, high acidity, with floral and green fruit flavors.
What is unique about wines from Rheingau?
Medium to full-bodied Rieslings with ripe peach flavors, and some of Germany’s best Spätburgunder.
Where are the fullest-bodied Rieslings in Germany produced?
Pfalz and Rheinhessen.
What does “trocken” mean on a German wine label?
Dry.
What does “halbtrocken” mean?
Off-dry or medium-dry.
What is “Grosses Gewächs” (GG)?
A designation for the best dry wines from classified vineyards by the VDP.
What does “Süssreserve” refer to in German winemaking?
Unfermented grape juice added to wine for sweetness.
What does the term “Goldkapsel” indicate on a label?
A gold capsule used to indicate superior quality or additional sweetness in a wine.
What is the key soil type in Mosel?
Slate, which retains heat and aids grape ripening.
What is the main grape variety in Franken?
Silvaner.
What is the climate influence in Baden?
It is the warmest German wine region, producing full-bodied Spätburgunder.
What defines Rheinhessen wines?
A broad range of styles, with full-bodied Rieslings from the Rheinterrasse.
What makes the Pfalz unique in Germany?
Its vineyards are a continuation of Alsace, with warm, dry conditions and excellent Riesling and Spätburgunder.
How are vines typically trained on steep slopes in Mosel?
Head-trained and staked individually for maximum sunlight exposure.
What is the purpose of hand harvesting in Germany?
Ensures selective picking for different Prädikat levels.
How does noble rot affect Riesling?
Concentrates sugars and flavors, producing complex sweet wines.
What is a defining characteristic of Riesling fermentation in Germany?
Often fermented in stainless steel to preserve varietal purity.
Why are fermentations often stopped early for Prädikatsweine?
To retain natural sweetness and balance.
What is the key characteristic of Nahe Rieslings?
High acidity with a balance of fruitiness and minerality, often showing peach and citrus flavors.
What is unique about the Ahr wine region?
Known for Spätburgunder, it produces elegant, light-bodied reds despite its northern location.
What is the role of the Rheinterrasse in Rheinhessen?
A warm, sloping area along the Rhine River known for high-quality Rieslings.
What distinguishes Baden’s Spätburgunder wines?
Fuller-bodied reds with ripe red fruit and spicy notes due to its warm climate.
What are the main characteristics of Rheingau Rieslings?
Medium to full-bodied with ripe peach, apricot, and mineral notes.
How does slate soil impact Mosel wines?
Reflects heat onto vines, aiding ripening in the cool climate.
What is a hallmark of Franken wines?
Dry, earthy whites, particularly from Silvaner, often bottled in the traditional Bocksbeutel.
How does Müller-Thurgau differ from Riesling?
It ripens earlier and produces simpler, less aromatic wines.
What is a key feature of wines from Mittelrhein?
Rieslings with high acidity and pronounced minerality, often from steep slopes.
What does “feinherb” mean on a German wine label?
Off-dry, similar to halbtrocken.
What is the role of the VDP in German wine classification?
A private association classifying vineyards and producing Grosses Gewächs (GG) dry wines.
What does “Classic” mean on a German wine label?
Indicates dry wines with a minimum alcohol content of 12%.
What does “Selection” mean on a German wine label?
Dry wines made from hand-harvested grapes from individual vineyards.
What is the difference between Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein?
Qualitätswein is basic PDO wine, while Prädikatswein is classified by sweetness levels.
What is the key difference between Auslese and Beerenauslese?
Beerenauslese requires noble rot-affected berries, while Auslese does not.
How does noble rot influence Eiswein?
Noble rot is not required; instead, grapes are frozen to concentrate sugars and acidity.
What are the typical flavors of Trockenbeerenauslese wines?
Honey, dried apricots, marmalade, and caramel.
What is the main difference between Kabinett and Spätlese wines?
Spätlese is made from riper grapes, resulting in richer, sweeter wines.
How are sweetness levels indicated on German wine labels?
By terms like trocken (dry), halbtrocken (off-dry), and süss (sweet).
Why are German vineyards often located near rivers?
Rivers moderate temperatures and reflect sunlight, aiding grape ripening.
What is the significance of steep slopes in German vineyards?
Maximizes sunlight exposure in cool climates and improves drainage.
How is hand harvesting critical in steep vineyard regions like Mosel?
Necessary and allows selective picking of grapes based on ripeness and health.
What are common challenges in German viticulture?
Cool climate, frost risk, and achieving sufficient ripeness.
What is the impact of climate change on German winemaking?
Longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures allow fuller-bodied wines and new varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the significance of botrytis in German wine production?
Essential for producing high-quality sweet wines like Beerenauslese and TBA.
Why are Rieslings from Mosel lighter than those from Rheingau?
Mosel’s cooler climate results in lighter-bodied wines with higher acidity.
What is the difference between Grosslage and Einzellage?
Grosslage refers to a group of vineyards, while Einzellage is a single vineyard.
What defines Auslese wines?
Made from hand-selected, extra-ripe grapes, often with noticeable sweetness and intense flavors.
What is the hallmark of Beerenauslese (BA) wines?
Sweet wines made from noble rot-affected berries, with concentrated flavors of honey, dried fruit, and marmalade.
How is Eiswein different from Beerenauslese?
Made from frozen grapes, emphasizing varietal purity and high acidity without requiring noble rot.
What distinguishes Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines?
Intensely sweet wines made from shriveled, noble rot-affected berries, with exceptional concentration and complexity.
Name key villages in the Mosel region.
Piesport, Bernkastel, and Wehlen.
What are the key villages in Rheingau?
Johannisberg, Rüdesheim, and Hochheim.
Name important villages in Pfalz.
Forst and Deidesheim.
What are the key villages in Nahe?
Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach.
Name important villages in Franken.
Würzburg
What is the most important grape variety in Mosel?
Riesling.
What is the key grape variety in Rheinhessen?
Riesling, with significant plantings of Müller-Thurgau and Dornfelder.
What is the primary grape variety in Rheingau?
Riesling, with a smaller focus on Spätburgunder.
What is the most planted grape variety in Pfalz?
Riesling, followed by Spätburgunder and Dornfelder.
What distinguishes Franken in terms of grape varieties?
Known for Silvaner, producing earthy and mineral-driven wines.
How does Mosel differ from Rheingau in Riesling style?
Mosel Rieslings are lighter with higher acidity, while Rheingau Rieslings are fuller-bodied and riper.
What is unique about Baden compared to other regions?
It is the warmest region, focusing on Spätburgunder and full-bodied whites.
How does the Ahr region stand out in Germany?
It specializes in Spätburgunder, producing elegant red wines in a cool climate.
What is the significance of VDP Grosses Gewächs (GG) wines?
Indicates top-quality dry wines from classified vineyards.
What are the typical aging vessels for Mosel wines?
Stainless steel or neutral oak, to preserve Riesling’s purity.
What is the key village for Pinot Noir in Rheingau?
Assmannshausen
Name important villages for Pinot Noir in Baden.
Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg.
What is a Bocksbeutel?
A distinctive flat, round bottle traditionally used for wines from Franken.
How many Anbaugebiete (PDO regions) does Germany have?
13.
What are the key regions producing Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) in Germany?
Baden, Ahr, Rheingau, and Pfalz.
What makes Kaiserstuhl a key area for Baden?
Its volcanic soils produce some of Germany’s most powerful Pinot Noir wines.
What distinguishes Franken from other German regions?
Its focus on Silvaner and the use of Bocksbeutel bottles.
What is the significance of Assmannshausen for Rheingau?
It is renowned for producing high-quality Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder).
How does the size of Rheinhessen compare to Mosel?
Rheinhessen is nearly three times larger than Mosel, with more diverse grape varieties.
What is the role of Süssreserve in German winemaking?
It allows winemakers to add sweetness by blending unfermented grape juice with wine.
