22 - Germany Flashcards
(158 cards)
1
Q
which country is producing the highest concentration of world-class Rieslings?
A
Germany
2
Q
red grape in Germany with a growing reputation for premium quality (2 names)
A
Pinot Noir = Spätburgunder
3
Q
Climate of Germany
A
- most of the wine regions have a Cool Continental climate
- the vineyards in the far south in Baden are noticeably warmer
4
Q
summers in Germany
A
can be wet
5
Q
rain in Germany
A
- summers can be wet
- the rain generally declines in autumn during the final stage of ripening
6
Q
the long, cool ripening period in Germany gives the grapes time to …
A
… reach sugar ripeness while retaining their acidity
7
Q
where can botrytised sweet wines be made in Germany?
A
in every region
8
Q
- how are the annual weather conditions in Germany?
- what effect does this have on the wine?
A
- vary considerably
- leading to significant variation in the quality, quantity & styles of wine made from year to year
9
Q
in … conditions, … differences in vineyard location can make … differences in the quality of wine
A
in MARGINAL conditions, SMALL differences in vineyard location can make SIGNIFICANT differences in the quality of wine
10
Q
the best vineyard sites in Germany are …
A
found on steep & often stony slopes with southerly aspect
11
Q
what can maximize the heat & sunlight of vineyards in Germany?
A
- steep & often stony slopes with southerly aspect
- near a river: reflected sunlight & air movement
12
Q
steep vineyards in Germany have to be worked by …
A
hand
13
Q
on the most extreme slopes in Germany, the equipment has to be ..
A
manoeuvred into place by winches
14
Q
pruning etc in the step slopes of Germany
A
vines are head-pruned, individually staked & the canes tied in at the top of the stake to maximise grape exposure to light & circulation of air
15
Q
what effect can rivers near the vineyard give?
A
reflected sunlight can help the grapes to ripen, & the air movement created by flowing water can help protect against frosts
16
Q
how is the wines classified in Germany?
A
by must weight (the level of sugar in the grape juice)
17
Q
what is must weight?
A
the level of sugar in the grape juice
18
Q
why can the harvest be spread out over a number of weeks & months in Germany?
A
because of the fact that wines are classified by must weight
19
Q
can one vineyard in Germany only make one type of wine?
A
no, it is possible to make a range of Qualitätsweine & Prädikatsweine each year from an individual vineyard
20
Q
how is it possible to make a range of Qualitätsweine & Prädikatsweine each year from an individual vineyard in Germany?
A
- wines are classified by must weight
- pickers will pass through the vy several times in order to ensure that they get the ideal grapes for each category of wine
- grapes can also be sorted & categorised after each picking
21
Q
the ongoing trend in German winemaking is for … styles of wine
A
DRY
22
Q
what wines are sold as Qualitätsweine in Germany?
A
red & white & at all quality levels
23
Q
what is the most important grape variety in Germany?
A
riesling
24
Q
why does Riesling in Germany express itself differently from region to region, and even from vy to vy?
A
variation in climate & soil
25
flavours and characteristics of Riesling in Germany
- flavours can range from delicate & floral to a richer peachy fruit character
- wines can range from light & fruity to very concentrated & intens
26
what is GG?
- Grosses Gewächs
- used by an independent group of German wine producers called the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP)
- classified their vineyards which, by consensus, include the vast majority of the best sites in Germany
- dry wines
- bottles labelled with GG and a bunch of grapes embossed on the neck of the bottle
- Trademark of the VDP & NOT part of the German wine law
27
are all Prädikatsweine sweet?
nearly all wines labelled as Prädikatsweine will have residual sugar, but up to the category Auslese it is possible for these wines to be made in a dry style
28
the different categories of Prädikatsweine in Germany () & their wine style (sweetness)
1. Kabinett - dry to medium sweet
2. Spätlese - dry to medium sweet
3. Auslese - dry to sweet
4. Beerenauslese - sweet only
5. Eiswein - sweet only
6. Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) - sweet only
29
Kabinett - riesling
(char., alc)
- the most delicate Prädikatsweine
- light in body
- high acidity
- flavours of green apple or citrus fruit
- often balanced with residual sweetness
- sweet styles: alc 8-9% abv
- drier styles can reach 12% abv
30
how can kabinett be sweet, and what process give best quality?
- sweeten after fermentation by adding unfermented grape juice (Süssreserve)
--> not used to make high-quality wines
- stopping the fermentation early, before the yeast has converted all of the sugar in the juice to alcohol
--> achieves a better sugar/acid balance
31
how is a Spätlese riesling compared to a Kabinett rsl from the same region?
- more concentrated
- riper
- have a little more body & alcohol
- where relevant, a little more sweetness
32
characteristics of a Spätlese riesling in Germany
- citrus & stone fruit aromas (peach, apricot)
- more concentrated, riper, little more body, alcohol, and, where relevant, sweetness, compared with a Kabinett wine from the same region
33
what are Auslese wines made from?
individually selected extra-ripe bunches of grapes
34
Auslese wines compared to Spätlese wines from the same region
- richer & riper
35
can Auslese have noble rot?
yes. Regardless of style noble rot can play an important part in the flavour profile of Auslese wines
36
is noble rot essential for BA & TBA?
- noble rot is essential to achieve the must weights necessary for **TBA**
- it is not essential for wine labelled **BA** (it is possible to reach the minimum must weight without noble rot)
- however, noble rot is typical for these wines
37
Are BA & TBA made every year?
Volumes?
- BA & TBA are not necessarily made every year
- volumes vary considerably when they are made
38
characteristics of BA & TBA riesling in Germany
- sweet
- low in alcohol
- flavours of honey, dried stone fruit, candied peel & flowers
39
Eiswein in Germany
- noble rot is NOT involved, focus is rather on varietal purity
- best: very fine balance between acidity & sweetness
- winemakers seek to maintain varietal flavours, which can be accentuated by using carefully selected yeast, handling the juice with care & avoiding processes that could mask the flavours of the grape, such as MLF or new oak
40
what are PGI wines in Germany labelled?
Landwein
41
what are wines without a GI labelled as in Germany?
Deutscher Wein
42
how many regions are there for PDO in Germany?
there are 13 delimited regions
43
how are the German wines classified?
by minimum must weight at harvest
44
2 fundamental levels in the appellation system of Germany
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein
45
how is Prädikatswein subdivided in Germany?
1. Kabinett
2. Spätlese
3. Auslese
4. Beerenauslese
5. Eiswein
6. Trockenbeerenauslese
46
demands for PDO wines in Germany
- all PDO wines must come from only one region
- the name of the region will appear on the label
- for Prädikatsweine the Prädikat level will also appear on the label
47
wine labels in Germany
- all PDO wines must come from only one region
--> the **name of the region** will appear on the label
- for Prädikatsweine the **Prädikat level** will also appear on the label
- varietal labelling is common
Labels may also include information about:
1. sweetness: trocken, halbtrocken/feinherb
2. vy location: village & vy-name
3. indication of quality: GG for VDP
48
sweetness-labelling in Germany
- dry wines: trocken
- off-dry: halbtrocken or feinherb
- trocken & halbtrocken: legally defined
- feinherb: NOT legally defined
- many wines do not have any indication of sweetness on the label but this can often be deduced from either the wein category or the alcohol level
49
labelling of vineyard location in Germany
- commonly stated on German wine labels
- name of the village comes first, followed by the name of the vineyard
ie. Piesporter Goldtropfchen
- the vast majority of the wines labelled this way will be from small single vineyards
- lower quality wines that are made from grapes that come from a large number of neighbouring vineyards can be labelled in the same way
ie. Piesporter Michelsberg
- there is nothing on the label to indicate whether a wine is from a single vineyard or not but the retail price is normally a very reliable indicator
50
indication of quality in Germany & VDP
- the Prädikat levels are a good indicator of style. However, there are no legally defined labelling terms that can be used to indicate the quality level of a wine
- this has to some extent been addressed by an independent group of German wine producers called the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP)
- the members have classified their vineyards which, by consensus, include the vast majority of the best sites in Germany
- this classification is typically only seen on labels when members make dry Qualitätsweine from the best vineyard sites
- these dry wines are called Grosses Gewächs
- bottles labelled with GG and a bunch of grapes embossed on the neck of the bottle
- trademark of the VDP & NOT part of the German wine law
51
Other grape varieties in Germany (9)
1. Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner)
2. Silvaner
3. Grauburgunder/Ruländer (PG)
4. Weissburgunder (PB)
5. Spätburgunder (PN)
6. Dornfelder
7. Portugieser
8. Trollinger
9. Schwarzriesling (Meunier)
52
German name for:
1. Pinot Gris
2. Pinot Blanc
3. Pinot Noir
4. Meunier
1. Grauburgunder/Ruländer (PG)
2. Weissburgunder (PB)
3. Spätburgunder (PN)
4. Schwarzriesling (Meunier)
53
Müller-Thurgau is a crossing between ...
Riesling x Madeleine Royale
54
when was the crossing Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner) made?
in the 1880s
55
Müller-Thurgau ripens ... than Riesling
earlier
56
acidity & flavour intensity of Müller-Thurgau compared to Riesling
lower acidity & flavour intensity
57
characteristics of Müller-Thurgau
- lower acidity & flavour intensity compared to Rsl
- attractive floral & fruity wine
58
second most widely planted white variety in Germany
Müller-Thurgau
59
Müller-Thurgau is the ... most widely planted white variety in Germany
second
60
quality of wines of Müller-Thurgau in Germany
rarely produces wines of high quality
61
1. Plantings of Müller-Thurgau in Germany is ... increasing or decreasing?
2. Why?
1. decreasing
2. the market for the inexpensive medium-dry/medium-sweet Qualitätsweine made from the variety has declined
62
the third most widely planted white grape variety in Germany
Silvaner
63
Silvaner is the ... most widely planted white grape variety in Germany
third
64
where is Silvaner mainly found in Germany?
in those regions where it has traditionally been strong, in particular **Rheinhessen** & **Franken**
65
what styles of wine (sweetness) is made from Silvaner?
both dry & sweet styles
66
characteristics of Silvaner compared to Riesling in Germany
- dry & sweet styles
- less acidic
- less overtly fruity
- can sometimes have an earthy quality
67
is Silvaner capable of producing high-quality wines in Germany?
yes, on the right site
68
in Germany:
There are important & growing plantings of .../... (...) & ... (...), which are often labelled using the French or Italian name & typically made in a ... style
There are important & growing plantings of **GRAUBURGUNDER**/**RULÄNDER** (**PINOT GRIS**) & **WEISSBURGUNDER** (**PINOT BLANC**), which are often labelled using the French or Italian name & typically made in a **DRY** style
69
the third most planted grape variety in Germany
Spätburgunder
70
Spätburgunder is the ... most planted grape variety in Germany
third
71
Spätburgunder thrives in the ... vineyard areas & is particularly important in ... & ... in Germany
Spätburgunder thrives in the **WARMER** vineyard areas and is particularly important in **PFALZ** & **BADEN** in Germany
72
Characteristics of Spätburgunder in Germany
- dry
- relatively light & fruity or more concentrated style, that often includes oak aromas
73
the other black variety that is widely planted in Germany
Dornfelder
74
characteristics of Dornfelder
particularly deeply coloured wines
75
Portugieser, Trollinger & Schwarzriesling (Meunier) in Germany
- typically produce light-bodied & fruity wines
- intensely coloured & flavoured examples with some oak character exist
- the vast majority are sold as Qualitätsweine & consumed by the domestic market
76
Wine regions in Germany (7 of 13)
1. Mosel
2. Nahe
3. Rheingau
4. Rheinhessen
5. Pfalz
6. Baden
7. Franken
77
where is Mosel situated?
- in Germany
- the River Mosel, from where it joins the River Rhine (Rhein) to the German border & its two small tributaries (Saar, Ruwer)
- towards France/boarder Luxembourg
78
dominant production in Mosel
(colour, grape)
white grapes & Riesling
79
the permitted varieties for GG wines in Mosel
only Riesling
80
Germany - Mosel
Production is concentrated in the ... of the region in an area known as ... where there are a number of villages that have an established reputation for ... wine.
Production is concentrated in the **centre** of the region in an area known as **the Middle Mosel** where there are a number of villages that have an established reputation for **top-quality** wine.
81
the best known villages in Mosel (3)
1. Piesport
2. Bernkastel
3. Wehlen
82
what/where is Piesport?
a village in Mosel
83
what/where is Bernkastel?
a village in Mosel
84
what/where is Wehlen?
a village in Mosel
85
the best vineyards in Mosel are found on ... with ... soils right next the ...
the best vineyards in Mosel are found on **very steep slopes** with **slate** soils right next the **river**
86
the Rieslings of Mosel (characteristics compared to other regions)
Compared to Rheingau, Rheinhessen & Pfalz
- lighter in body
- lower in alcohol
- higher in acidity
- floral & green fruit flavours predominate
87
the ... Saar & Ruwer account for ... % of the overall plantings in the Mosel
the **COOLER** Saar & Ruwer account for **ONLY A TINY** % of the overall plantings in the Mosel
88
The wines of Saar & Ruwer
1. amount of plantings
2. characteristics of the best wines
3. in cooler vintages ...
1. account for only a tiny % of the overall plantings in the Mosel
2. similar in both style & quality to the Middle Mosel often showing an even higher level of acidity
3. grapes from even the best sites do not ripen fully and are used in sparkling wine production
89
where is Nahe situated?
- in Germany
- the vineyards are spread over a wide area that lies in between the Mosel & Rheinhessen
- the River Nahe goes through the region
- the **best vineyards** are situated on the banks of the River Nahe itself in the short section between the villages of **Schlossböckelheim** & **Bad Kreuznach**
90
what/where is Schlossböckelheim?
a village in Nahe
91
what/where is Bad Kreuznach
a village in Nahe
92
the best vineyards in Nahe
where - aspect
- are situated on the banks of the River Nahe in the short section between the villages of Schlossböckelheim & Bad Kreuznach
- on steep south-facing slopes
93
the best wines in Nahe are made from ... (grape)
Riesling
94
the most widely planted grape in Nahe
Riesling
95
the style of Riesling wines in Nahe
- in between that of the Mosel & the fuller bodied wines from Rheingau, Rheinhessen & Pfalz
- the pronounced acidity of the Mosel
- slightly riper fruit character (climate is warmer)
96
the style of Riesling wines in Nahe
- in between that of the Mosel & the fuller bodied wines from Rheingau, Rheinhessen & Pfalz
- the pronounced acidity of the Mosel
- slightly riper fruit character (climate is warmer)
97
the permitted variety for GG wines in Nahe
only Riesling
98
where is Rheingau situated?
- Germany
- north of Rheinhessen
- south of the Taunus hills
- most vineyards are situated on the slopes of the north bank of the River Rhine (in the west of the region & the River Main (in the east)
- east of Mosel, west of Franken
99
what protection does Rheingau have?
- the Taunus hills to the north
100
rivers in Rheingau
- River Rhine - in the west of the region
- River Main - in the east of the region
101
what provides the optimal conditions for ripening grapes in Rheingau?
- vy situated on the **slopes of the rivers** Rhein & Main, with a **southerly aspect**
- protection offered by the **Taunus hills** to the north
102
the majority of the vinyards in Rheingau lie on the slopes to the ... of the region and surround the villages of ... & ...
the majority of the vinyards in Rheingau lie on the slopes to the **WEST** of the region and surround the villages of **JOHANNISBERG** & **RÜDESHEIM**
103
what/where is Johannisberg
village west in Rheingau
104
what/where is Rüdesheim
village west in Rheingau
105
4 villages in Rheingau
**To the west**
1. Johannisberg
2. Rüdesheim
3. Assmannshausen
**To the east**
4. Hochheim
106
what grape dominates the plantings in Rheingau?
Riesling
107
1. What style are the majority of the wines in Rheingau made in?
2. Other styles?
1. a DRY style
2. BA & TBA
108
characteristics of Riesling in Rheingau
(west & east)
**West: Johannisberg & Rüdesheim**
- majority: dry
- medium to full body
- distinct ripe peach character to their fruit flavours
**East: Hochheim**
- riper & fuller bodied (slightly warmer climate)
109
1. some of Germany's best BA & TBA wines are made in ...
2. What conditions make this possible?
1. Rheingau
2. the humid conditions generated by the Rhine
109
1. some of Germany's best BA & TBA wines are made in ...
2. What conditions make this possible?
1. Rheingau
2. the humid conditions generated by the Rhine
110
the vineyards to the east of the region Rheingau are centred around the village
Hochheim
111
what village in Rheingau makes excellent Spätburgunder?
Assmannshausen (to the west of Rüdesheim)
112
what/where is Hochheim
a village in the east of Rheingau
113
what/where is Assmannshausen
a village to the west of Rüdesheim in Rheingau
114
what variety can make GG in Rheingau?
Riesling or Spätburgunder
115
the largest vine-growing region in Germany
Rheinhessen
116
grape varieties planted in Rheinhessen
- a very broad range of black & white varieties
- Most planted: **Müller-Thurgau** & **Riesling**
- 30% of plantings: **Dornfelder**, **Portugieser**, **Spätburgunder**
117
the two most planted grape varieties in Rheinhessen
Müller-Thurgau & Riesling
118
what varieties can make GG in Rheinhessen?
Riesling or Spätburgunder
119
the reputation of Rheinhessen was based on the ... vineyards on the ... bank of the ... centred around the village of ...
the reputation of Rheinhessen was based on the **steeply sloping** vineyards on the **west** bank of the **Rhine** centred around the village of **Nierstein**
120
what/where is Nierstein?
a village in Rheinhessen
121
what/where is Rheinterrasse?
- steeply sloping vineyards on the west bank of the Rhine centred around the village of Nierstein
- in Rheinhessen
- produces some of the fullest-bodied Rieslings in Germany
122
What is the area with steeply sloping vineyards on the west bank of the Rhine centred around the village of Nierstein in Rheinhessen often referred to as?
Rheinterrasse
123
what wines are produced in the Rheinterrasse?
some of the fullest-bodied Rieslings in Germany
124
why has Rheinhessen gained a reputation in the recent years?
- in recent years a number of growers working in areas that do not have a long-standing reputation for wine production (for example the area in the south of the region near Worms) have started to produce **top-quality wines**
- Rheinhessen has gained a reputation for **innovation** & **excellence**
125
the second largest wine-growing region in Germany
Pfalz
126
largest wine-growing regions in Germany (1-3)
1. Rheinhessen
2. Pfalz
3. Baden
127
the majority of the vineyards in Pfalz can be seen as a continuation of the vineyards of ...
Alsace
128
the vineyards of Pfalz
(geography, climate, hazard)
- can be seen as a continuation of the vineyards of **Alsace**
- run in a **narrow 80 km strip** north from the French border
- lie to the east of the **Haardt Mountains** (continuation of the Vosges)
- the **driest** of the German regions and in very warm years the vines can suffer from **water stress**
129
what wine region is protected by the Haardt Mountains?
Pfalz
130
most widely planted variety in Pfalz
Riesling
131
grape varieties grown in Pfalz
- most widely planted & longest reputation for high-quality wm: **Riesling**
- also widely grown: **Müller-Thurgau**
- gradually increasing: **Grauburgunder** & **Weissburgunder**
Black grape varieties: just under 40% of the vy area
- second most widely planted: **Dornfelder**
- significant plantings of:
--> **Portugieser**, for the local market
--> **Spätburgunder**, gaining an international reputation
132
grape varieties for GG in Pfalz
Riesling, Weissburgunder or Spätburgunder
133
the most established quality vineyards in Pfalz surround ... & ..., an area often referred to as ...
the most established quality vineyards in Pfalz surround **FORST** & **DEIDESHEIM**, an area often referred to as **MITTELHAARDT**
134
what/where is Forst?
a village in Pfalz
135
what/where is Deidesheim?
a village in Pfalz
136
2 villages in Pfalz
1. Forst
2. Deidesheim
137
what/where is Mittelhaardt?
In Pfalz.
The most established quality vineyards surround Forst & Deidesheim, an area often referred to as Mittelhaardt
138
the vineyards on the steep slopes to the west of the villages Forst & Deidesheim produce what kind of style?
- a ripe, fuller-bodied style of Riesling
139
As has happened in ..., young and energetic growers are making ... outside of this core region (around Forst & Deidesheim in Pfalz)
As has happened in **RHEINHESSEN**, young and energetic growers are making **TOP-QUALITY WINES** outside of this core region (around Forst & Deidesheim in Pfalz)
140
the majority of wines in Pfalz are made in the ... styles
drier
141
where is Baden?
- in Germany
- the most southerly region
- spread over a large geographic area
- most of the vy are spaced out over a narrow strip of land that follows the Rhine to the Swiss border
142
the warmest wine region in Germany
Baden
143
the most southerly wine region in Germany
Baden
144
the third largest vine-growing region in Germany
Baden
145
nearly 1/3 of the plantings in Baden are concentrated in the area of ... & ..., which are situated opposite ... in ...
nearly 1/3 of the plantings in Baden are concentrated in the area of **Kaiserstuhl** & **Tuniberg**, which are situated opposite **Colmar** in **Alsace**
146
the best vineyards in Baden
- on the south-facing slope of the Kaiserstuhl (an extinct volcano)
- make the most of the available warmth
147
Baden & the area on the south-facing slope of the Kaiserstuhl has developed a reputation for...
top-quality Spätburgunder
148
the most widely planted variety in Baden
Spätburgunder
149
grapes in Baden
- most widely planted: **Spätburgunder**
- substantial plantings of **Müller-Thurgau**, followed by **Grauburgunder**, **Weissburgunder** and then **Riesling**
150
GG wines in Baden can be made from
a range of white & black varieties
151
where is Franken
- in Germany
- to the east of Rheingau/Rheinhessen
- the River Main runs through the region
152
what is the most widely planted & prestigious grape in Franken?
Silvaner
153
Silvaner in Franken
- early flowering & ripening
- susceptible to frost damage
- planted in the warmest sites
- able to achieve a concentration that is rarely achieved elsewhere in Germany
154
the best wines in Franken from ... around ... are ...
the best wines in Franken from **the south facing slopes** around **Würzburg** are **dry with a richness on the palate and often an earthy quality**
155
what/where is Würzburg
village in Franken
156
special bottles in Germany
- Franken
- Flask-shaped bottles
157
GG wines in Franken can be made from
- Silvaner
- Riesling
- Weissburgunder
- Grauburgunder
- Spätburgunder
