Sekt / Germany

Question 1

Why did the price of sekt drop in the 1950s

Answer 1

Germany entered the EU and was able to source base wine cheaply from other EU countries.

Question 2

Is Sekt currently an expensive / premium product? what % is cheap?

Answer 2

No - 90% of it is cheaply produced.

Question 3

What is the per capita consumption in litres of sekt in Germany

Answer 3

3.4 litres per annum per capita

Question 4

Is carbonation permitted as a production method for any type of Sekt?

Answer 4

No.

Question 5

Name the 4 categories of sekt

Answer 5

Sekt
Deutsche Sekt
Deutsche Sekt bA (Bestimmter Anbaugebieter)
Winzersekt

Question 6

Which is the largest category? Describe it

Answer 6

Sekt - this accounts for 90% of all production.
It is a tank method without vintage or variety specified. It is NV. Ageing requirements are 6 months post fermentation, with 90 days on lees or 30 days if it’s stirred.

Question 7

What is the flavour profile of sekt?

Answer 7

medium acidity, high RS, light intensity fruity characteristics with no autolytic notes.

Question 8

What are the differences between Deutsche sekt and Deutsche sekt bA, and what are their similarities

Answer 8

Deutsche sekt: made from grapes from Germany. There are no wine making rules so it can be Charmat or trad method, vintage or NV. IF it is made using 85%+ of a single grape variety, it can state that on the label.
Deutsche sekt aB: this means the grapes have come from one of the recognised 13 quality wine regions in Germany. The name of the region MUST appear on the label.

Question 9

What is Winzersekt?

Answer 9

much stricter rules around production:

• must be trad method
• must use exclusively grower grown grapes
• must spend 9 months min on lees
• must be vintage
• Must have producer name, vintage and grape variety on the label

Question 10

What is the predominant grape for Winzersekt? what about cheaper versions of sekt?

Answer 10

Riesling often, but sometimes you can find champagne blend.

Other categories of sekt tend to use cheaper grapes like Muller Thurgau for economical reasons.

Question 11

What is Perlwein

Answer 11

Also known as Secco. This is a lower pressure sparkling wine; sometime carbonated, sometimes tank method. They are cheaper because the lower pressure equates to less tax.

Question 12

What pressure is Perlwein usually?

Answer 12

> 3 atmospheres

Question 13

Where are grapes / juice (most common) / base wine for Sekt usually sourced?

Answer 13

Southern Europe; France, Italy, Spain…

Question 14

overall, what is the general climate in the 13 official growing regions in Germany

Answer 14

Cool continental.

Question 15

Why is this climate good for sparkling base wine

Answer 15

low potential alcohol, high acidity

Question 16

when are the grapes picked (ie early or late)

Answer 16

early, with unripe ones removed. this keeps acidity high.and plenty of just-ripe primary fruit

Question 17

For Deutsche Sekt, what grapes are used for the most prestigious wines?

Answer 17

Riesling

Question 18

in Deutsche sekt, what grapes are commonly blended together?

Answer 18

Chard & PN

Question 19

What grapes might also be found in Deutsche sekt?

Answer 19

Pinot Blanc, Gris, Noir, Silvaner, Chardonnay & some aromatic varieties: Scheurebe

Question 20

Are deutsche sekt grapes hand picked?

Answer 20

yes

Question 21

Is there significant regional differentiation between Deutsche sekt wines?

Answer 21

Not really given the blending that takes place pre second fermentation.

Question 22

Is there a quality version of Perlwein?

Answer 22

yes - Qualitätperlwein which comes from a specific region.

Question 23

Even is Perlwein is labelled as Trocken, how much sugar can it have?

Answer 23

35g/L

Question 24

How much sugar is in Half Trocken and Mild Perlwein?

Answer 24

Halbtrock: bergen 33-50g/L
Mild: 50g/L +

Question 25

What is the difference between Flaschengärung and Klassiche Flaschengärung?

Answer 25

Both are bottle fermented, but disgorgement can take place via the transfer method for Flaschengärung, while it tis not allowed for Klassiche.

Question 26

How much tax is levied on Sekt, and since when

Answer 26

1.02Euro since 1902.

Question 27

What kind of market is Germany? How do big brands get cut through?
Is on trade a popular sales channel for wine?

Answer 27

Very competitive. The big brands put huge amounts of money into advertising. They are in all the supermarkets. Winzersekt, however, is sold by cellar door and specialist retailers.
On trade is not popular at all, accounting for 25% of sales only, as most consumers will purchase through the retailers.

Question 28

Name the three big players who control 80% of the market between them:

Answer 28

Rotkapuchen & Mumm, Henkell & Co, Schloss Wachenheim.

Question 29

Name a couple of notable Winzkersekt producers

Answer 29

Reichsrat Von Buhl and Schloss Vaux

Question 30

When was Sekt incorporated into the VDP?

Answer 30

2018.

Question 31

What are the requirements for VDP Sekt?

Answer 31

• Estate grown grapes, and the estate has to be owned by a VDP member
• Traditional method production
• Early, hand picked
• Aged either 15 months or 36 months on lees (two tiers)