Wine Law Flashcards
German wines that have the varietal listed on the label must contain how much of the stated varietal?
85%
In Germany, what 2 tiers represent “quality” wine?
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein
List the different levels of Prädikatswein and the corresponding Öchsle Range.
Kabinett: 70-85˚
Spätlese: 80-95˚
Auslese: 88-105˚
Beerenauslese: 110-128˚
Trokenbeerenauslese: 150-154˚
Eiswein: 110-128˚
What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Prädikatswein?
7% for Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese
5.5% for Beerenaulese, Trokenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein
What is an Amtliche Prüfungsnummer (AP number)?
A series of 5 sets of numbers indicating that the wine has been approved by a tasting panel.
What does each set of the Amtliche Prüfungsnummer represent?
1st set - region where the wine was tested
2nd set - commune in which the wine was bottled
3rd set - bottler’s code
4th set - unique code for bottling
5th set - year in which the application was filed
What does VDP stand for?
Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter
What is the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter?
A national German association of producers committed to top quality.
Prior to 2012, what was the top teir of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter?
Erste Lage
“First Site”
Today, what are the 4 tiers, and corresponding maximum yields, of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter classification system?
Grosse Lage: “Grand Cru” (max 50 hl/ha)
Erste Lage: “Premier Cru” (max 60 hl/ha)
Ortswein: “Village” (max 75 hl/ha)
Gutswein: “Regional” (max 75 hl/ha)
In the VDP classification system of Germany, what does the following logo mean?
Grosses Gewächs
It indicates a dry wine.
In the VDP classification system of Germany, how is a wine indicated as dry on the label?
GG
Prior to 2012 the top tier of the the VDP classification system of Germany was known as Erste Lage. How was this indicated on the label?
A specialized logo was used with a “1” followed by a cluster of grapes.
In the VDP classification system of Germany what does the following logo mean?
That the wine represents the top tier of Grosse Lage.
(Prior to 2012, Erste Lage)
What does this logo mean if found on a bottle of German wine?
The wine was produced by an estate that is a member of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter.
In the VDP classification system, dry wines are labeled as “GG”. How are sweet wines labeled?
They are labeled by prädikat.
In the VDP classification system dry wines are labeled “GG” and not Grosses Gewächs. Why?
Grosses Gewächs is considered trocken by German wine law and is barred from appearing on the labels.
In the VDP classification system, dry wines of Rheigau frequently carry what alternative to “GG” on the label?
Erstes Gewächs
A legally authorized term that may be spelled out in full on the label.
What are the 2 tiers of the state-afilliated German Wine Institute?
Classic
and
Selection
Describe “Classic” wines according to the German Wine Institute.
They are “harmoniously dry” with a maximum RS content of 15g/l. They are single varietal wines and show higher minimum alcohol content of 12% (11.5% in Mosel).
Describe “Selection” wines according to the German Wine Institute.
Selection wine are “superior dry” with a maximum RS content of 9g/l (12g/l for Riesling). They are single vineyard wines from a single variety and the must weight at harvest must be equivalent to Auslese.
