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WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise > Germany - WSET L3 in Wines > Flashcards

Germany - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards

1
Q

What is Germany’s most planted grape variety?

A

Riesling.

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2
Q

What is the climate of Germany’s wine regions?

A

Cool continental, with long, slow ripening seasons.

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3
Q

How does Germany’s climate affect wine production?

A

Produces wines with high acidity and a wide range of sweetness levels.

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4
Q

What is the classification system for German PDO wines?

A

Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein.

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5
Q

What are the six Prädikat levels in German wine law?

A

Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese (BA), Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).

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6
Q

What is Spätburgunder?

A

The German name for Pinot Noir.

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7
Q

What is Müller-Thurgau?

A

A crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale, known for early ripening and light, floral wines.

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8
Q

What is Silvaner, and where is it most prominent?

A

A white grape with earthy qualities, particularly strong in Franken.

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9
Q

Name two key black grape varieties in Germany besides Spätburgunder.

A

Dornfelder and Portugieser.

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10
Q

What are Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder?

A

German names for Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, respectively.

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11
Q

What defines Kabinett wines?

A

Light-bodied wines with high acidity and flavors of green apple or citrus, often slightly sweet.

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12
Q

What is the key difference between Spätlese and Auslese wines?

A

Spätlese is made from late-harvest grapes, while Auslese uses selectively picked, extra-ripe bunches.

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13
Q

What is Eiswein?

A

Sweet wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, focusing on varietal purity and balance.

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14
Q

What characterizes Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines?

A

Intensely sweet wines made from noble rot-affected berries, with honey, dried fruit, and floral flavors.

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15
Q

What distinguishes Qualitätswein from Prädikatswein?

A

Qualitätswein is typically dry, while Prädikatswein includes various sweetness levels.

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16
Q

What are Germany’s 13 PDO regions called?

A

Anbaugebiete.

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17
Q

What distinguishes Mosel Rieslings?

A

Light-bodied, high acidity, with floral and green fruit flavors.

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18
Q

What is unique about wines from Rheingau?

A

Medium to full-bodied Rieslings with ripe peach flavors, and some of Germany’s best Spätburgunder.

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19
Q

Where are the fullest-bodied Rieslings in Germany produced?

A

Pfalz and Rheinhessen.

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20
Q

What does “trocken” mean on a German wine label?

A

Dry.

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21
Q

What does “halbtrocken” mean?

A

Off-dry or medium-dry.

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22
Q

What is “Grosses Gewächs” (GG)?

A

A designation for the best dry wines from classified vineyards by the VDP.

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23
Q

What does “Süssreserve” refer to in German winemaking?

A

Unfermented grape juice added to wine for sweetness.

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24
Q

What does the term “Goldkapsel” indicate on a label?

A

A gold capsule used to indicate superior quality or additional sweetness in a wine.

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25
Q

What is the key soil type in Mosel?

A

Slate, which retains heat and aids grape ripening.

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26
Q

What is the main grape variety in Franken?

A

Silvaner.

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27
Q

What is the climate influence in Baden?

A

It is the warmest German wine region, producing full-bodied Spätburgunder.

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28
Q

What defines Rheinhessen wines?

A

A broad range of styles, with full-bodied Rieslings from the Rheinterrasse.

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29
Q

What makes the Pfalz unique in Germany?

A

Its vineyards are a continuation of Alsace, with warm, dry conditions and excellent Riesling and Spätburgunder.

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30
Q

How are vines typically trained on steep slopes in Mosel?

A

Head-trained and staked individually for maximum sunlight exposure.

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31
Q

What is the purpose of hand harvesting in Germany?

A

Ensures selective picking for different Prädikat levels.

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32
Q

How does noble rot affect Riesling?

A

Concentrates sugars and flavors, producing complex sweet wines.

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33
Q

What is a defining characteristic of Riesling fermentation in Germany?

A

Often fermented in stainless steel to preserve varietal purity.

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34
Q

Why are fermentations often stopped early for Prädikatsweine?

A

To retain natural sweetness and balance.

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35
Q

What is the key characteristic of Nahe Rieslings?

A

High acidity with a balance of fruitiness and minerality, often showing peach and citrus flavors.

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36
Q

What is unique about the Ahr wine region?

A

Known for Spätburgunder, it produces elegant, light-bodied reds despite its northern location.

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37
Q

What is the role of the Rheinterrasse in Rheinhessen?

A

A warm, sloping area along the Rhine River known for high-quality Rieslings.

38
Q

What distinguishes Baden’s Spätburgunder wines?

A

Fuller-bodied reds with ripe red fruit and spicy notes due to its warm climate.

39
Q

What are the main characteristics of Rheingau Rieslings?

A

Medium to full-bodied with ripe peach, apricot, and mineral notes.

40
Q

How does slate soil impact Mosel wines?

A

Reflects heat onto vines, aiding ripening in the cool climate.

41
Q

What is a hallmark of Franken wines?

A

Dry, earthy whites, particularly from Silvaner, often bottled in the traditional Bocksbeutel.

42
Q

How does Müller-Thurgau differ from Riesling?

A

It ripens earlier and produces simpler, less aromatic wines.

43
Q

What is a key feature of wines from Mittelrhein?

A

Rieslings with high acidity and pronounced minerality, often from steep slopes.

44
Q

What does “feinherb” mean on a German wine label?

A

Off-dry, similar to halbtrocken.

45
Q

What is the role of the VDP in German wine classification?

A

A private association classifying vineyards and producing Grosses Gewächs (GG) dry wines.

46
Q

What does “Classic” mean on a German wine label?

A

Indicates dry wines with a minimum alcohol content of 12%.

47
Q

What does “Selection” mean on a German wine label?

A

Dry wines made from hand-harvested grapes from individual vineyards.

48
Q

What is the difference between Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein?

A

Qualitätswein is basic PDO wine, while Prädikatswein is classified by sweetness levels.

49
Q

What is the key difference between Auslese and Beerenauslese?

A

Beerenauslese requires noble rot-affected berries, while Auslese does not.

50
Q

How does noble rot influence Eiswein?

A

Noble rot is not required; instead, grapes are frozen to concentrate sugars and acidity.

51
Q

What are the typical flavors of Trockenbeerenauslese wines?

A

Honey, dried apricots, marmalade, and caramel.

52
Q

What is the main difference between Kabinett and Spätlese wines?

A

Spätlese is made from riper grapes, resulting in richer, sweeter wines.

53
Q

How are sweetness levels indicated on German wine labels?

A

By terms like trocken (dry), halbtrocken (off-dry), and süss (sweet).

54
Q

Why are German vineyards often located near rivers?

A

Rivers moderate temperatures and reflect sunlight, aiding grape ripening.

55
Q

What is the significance of steep slopes in German vineyards?

A

Maximizes sunlight exposure in cool climates and improves drainage.

56
Q

How is hand harvesting critical in steep vineyard regions like Mosel?

A

Necessary and allows selective picking of grapes based on ripeness and health.

57
Q

What are common challenges in German viticulture?

A

Cool climate, frost risk, and achieving sufficient ripeness.

58
Q

What is the impact of climate change on German winemaking?

A

Longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures allow fuller-bodied wines and new varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

59
Q

What is the significance of botrytis in German wine production?

A

Essential for producing high-quality sweet wines like Beerenauslese and TBA.

60
Q

Why are Rieslings from Mosel lighter than those from Rheingau?

A

Mosel’s cooler climate results in lighter-bodied wines with higher acidity.

61
Q

What is the difference between Grosslage and Einzellage?

A

Grosslage refers to a group of vineyards, while Einzellage is a single vineyard.

62
Q

What defines Auslese wines?

A

Made from hand-selected, extra-ripe grapes, often with noticeable sweetness and intense flavors.

63
Q

What is the hallmark of Beerenauslese (BA) wines?

A

Sweet wines made from noble rot-affected berries, with concentrated flavors of honey, dried fruit, and marmalade.

64
Q

How is Eiswein different from Beerenauslese?

A

Made from frozen grapes, emphasizing varietal purity and high acidity without requiring noble rot.

65
Q

What distinguishes Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines?

A

Intensely sweet wines made from shriveled, noble rot-affected berries, with exceptional concentration and complexity.

66
Q

Name key villages in the Mosel region.

A

Piesport, Bernkastel, and Wehlen.

67
Q

What are the key villages in Rheingau?

A

Johannisberg, Rüdesheim, and Hochheim.

68
Q

Name important villages in Pfalz.

A

Forst and Deidesheim.

69
Q

What are the key villages in Nahe?

A

Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach.

70
Q

Name important villages in Franken.

A

Würzburg

71
Q

What is the most important grape variety in Mosel?

A

Riesling.

72
Q

What is the key grape variety in Rheinhessen?

A

Riesling, with significant plantings of Müller-Thurgau and Dornfelder.

73
Q

What is the primary grape variety in Rheingau?

A

Riesling, with a smaller focus on Spätburgunder.

74
Q

What is the most planted grape variety in Pfalz?

A

Riesling, followed by Spätburgunder and Dornfelder.

75
Q

What distinguishes Franken in terms of grape varieties?

A

Known for Silvaner, producing earthy and mineral-driven wines.

76
Q

How does Mosel differ from Rheingau in Riesling style?

A

Mosel Rieslings are lighter with higher acidity, while Rheingau Rieslings are fuller-bodied and riper.

77
Q

What is unique about Baden compared to other regions?

A

It is the warmest region, focusing on Spätburgunder and full-bodied whites.

78
Q

How does the Ahr region stand out in Germany?

A

It specializes in Spätburgunder, producing elegant red wines in a cool climate.

79
Q

What is the significance of VDP Grosses Gewächs (GG) wines?

A

Indicates top-quality dry wines from classified vineyards.

80
Q

What are the typical aging vessels for Mosel wines?

A

Stainless steel or neutral oak, to preserve Riesling’s purity.

81
Q

What is the key village for Pinot Noir in Rheingau?

A

Assmannshausen

82
Q

Name important villages for Pinot Noir in Baden.

A

Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg.

83
Q

What is a Bocksbeutel?

A

A distinctive flat, round bottle traditionally used for wines from Franken.

84
Q

How many Anbaugebiete (PDO regions) does Germany have?

A

13.

85
Q

What are the key regions producing Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) in Germany?

A

Baden, Ahr, Rheingau, and Pfalz.

86
Q

What makes Kaiserstuhl a key area for Baden?

A

Its volcanic soils produce some of Germany’s most powerful Pinot Noir wines.

87
Q

What distinguishes Franken from other German regions?

A

Its focus on Silvaner and the use of Bocksbeutel bottles.

88
Q

What is the significance of Assmannshausen for Rheingau?

A

It is renowned for producing high-quality Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder).

89
Q

How does the size of Rheinhessen compare to Mosel?

A

Rheinhessen is nearly three times larger than Mosel, with more diverse grape varieties.

90
Q

What is the role of Süssreserve in German winemaking?

A

It allows winemakers to add sweetness by blending unfermented grape juice with wine.

WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise (41 decks)

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