Questions and Answers
What are the four levels of German wine?
What does 'Qualitätswein' indicate?
PDO quality wine from 1 of the 13 major regions
What is the sweetness level range for Kabinett wines?
67-82 Oechsle (148-188 g/L sugar)
What does 'Spätlese' mean?
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What is the sugar level range for true Eiswein?
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What does VDP stand for?
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What is Gutswein?
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What is Prädikatswein known for?
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Study Notes
German Wine Classifications
- German wine is classified into four primary levels: Deutscher Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein, and Prädikatswein.
- Deutscher Wein and Landwein represent the simpler "table wine" categories in Germany.
Qualitätswein
- PDO quality wine sourced from one of the 13 major wine regions in Germany.
Prädikatswein
- Primarily consists of traditionally sweet Riesling wines, often found in the Mosel region.
- Classification is based on grape ripeness at harvest, impacting the wine's sweetness and alcohol content.
- Includes a category for ice wine, known as eiswein.
Kabinett
- Lightest style of Riesling, made from grapes with 67-82 Oechsle (148-188 g/L sugar).
- Wines can be dry or off-dry in style.
Spätlese
- Translating to "late harvest," this style utilizes grapes with a sweetness level of 76-90 Oechsle (172-209 g/L sugar).
- Spätlese wines are richer and typically sweeter than Kabinett, but can be dry if labeled "Trocken."
Eiswein
- Crafted from grapes that freeze on the vine, pressed while still frozen, typically at night.
- Harvested grapes must reach sweetness levels of 110-128 Oechsle (260+ g/L sugar).
VDP (Verband deutscher Prädikatsweingüter)
- Originally developed for quality dry Rieslings but now encompasses both sweet and dry wines.
- Widely recognized outside of Mosel, particularly in the Rheingau region.
Gutswein
- Also referred to as "house wine," Gutswein carries proprietary, village, or regional names and is labeled with "VDP".
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Description
Test your knowledge on German wine classifications with this flashcard set. Learn about the levels of German wine, including Deutscher Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein, and Prädikatswein. Perfect for wine enthusiasts and students alike!
