Germany

Question 1

Classification

Answer 1

Landwein or Deutscher Wein lowest quality level.

Qualitatswein is the PDO which has 13 designated areas.

Pradikatswein is a category within Qualitatswein. Here there are 6 levels based on must weight (potential alcohol).

Question 2

VDP

Answer 2

VDP is a producers organisation that has its own vineyard and wine classification.

Strict regs, high quality.

Eagle on bottle. Single vineyard denoted by Erste Lage or Grosse Lage (better).

GG wines from Grosse Lage sites. Always dry. Embossed GG and grapes on bottle.

Not technically part of German wine law, but represent the very best wines.

Question 3

Pradikatswein Styles

Answer 3

KSA BT

Kabinett:
Most delicate and light.
Green apple, fruit and residual sugar. 8-12% abv.
Süssreserve can be added at lower quality levels.
Fermentation stopped to achieve lower alcohol and sweet/acidity balance if desired.
Dry-med sweet.

Spätlese:
Made similarly to Kabinett but are more concentrated, with more body and alcohol and potentially sweetness.
Citrus and stone fruits.
Dry-med sweet

Auslese:
Individually selected, extra ripe grapes. Richer and riper than K&S. Noble rot influenced.
Dry-sweet.

BA & TBA:
Noble rot essential for TBA. Not made every year.
Sweet and low alcohol.
Candied peel, honey, dried fruit.

Eiswein:
V rare. Noble rot is less important than varietal purity.
Best achieve fine balance between acidity and sweetness.

Question 4

Austria

Answer 4

Only Weinviertel & Wachau regions (DAC) only.

Cool continental climate. Short summers and harsh winters.

GV, Welschriesling & Riesling main white grapes. Zweigelt & Blaufränkisch main reds.

Question 5

Country Profile

Answer 5

Cool continental climate.

Wet summers, dryer in autumn.
Long, cool ripening period.

Marginal conditions, so vineyard site and soil etc v important.

Wines categorised by must weight (potential alcohol) so harvest is long and pickers pass through several times.

Question 6

Areas

Answer 6

Mosel:
Lighter style, green fruits. Lower alcohol higher in acidity compared to other regions.
Piesport, Wehlen & Bernkastel.

Rheingau:
Medium to full bodied whites, ripe peach, mainly dry.
Johannisberg & Rudesheim.

Rheinhessen:
Black and white grapes. Both GG.
Full bodied rieslings.
Nierstein.

Nahe:
Between Mosel and other areas.
Schlossböckelheim.

Pfalz:
Hot. Water stress. Borders alsace.
Forst and Deidesheim.