Germany Flashcards
(34 cards)
Widespread region between Mosel and Rheinhessen.
Nahe. Best vineyard on banks of River Nahe. Schlossböckelheim village
Small but prestigious region on North bank of River Rhine & Main. Protective element & 2 notable regions.
Rheingau - Taunus hills help ripen. Johannisburg & Rüdesheim.
Largest vine-growing region in Germany. Reputable growers located where?
Rheinhessen - Best growers on steep West Bank of Rhine near Nierstein.
1) German region specializes in production of Silvaner
2) Best vineyard region
1) Franken
2) Wurzburg
Halbtrocken & it’s alternative labeling
Off-Dry or Medium. Feinherb
Erstes Gewachs / Grosses Gewachs
Dry. Single vineyard wines made with strict regulations. GG particularly strict
Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter (VDP)
-Association of German wine producers who classified their vineyards as VDP
-Includes majority of best vineyard sites in Germany
-Identified by icon of an eagle on bottle cap
Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter Grosses Gewachs (VDP GG)
-Dry wines from the very best vineyard sites.
-GG embossed on neck of bottle
Climate of Germany
Cool Continental. Lots of variation in weather
Combat difficulty ripening grapes in Germany
-Long cool ripening season means:
-Careful site selection
-Vineyard management
-Strategically timed harvesting
German slopes & benefits
- Best vineyards on steep stony slopes with southerly aspect
-Max exposure to sunlight, good drainage, protection from frost
German vine training/pruning
Usually head-trained, individually staked, canes tied at the top to maximize exposure to light & air circulation
Benefits of rivers (2)
-Reflected sunlight for ripening
-Air movement protects against spring frosts
German Harvest timing
Similar to Alsace - October - Dec??
1) Second largest growing region in Germany often considered a continuation of Alsace.
2) Protective element
1) Pfalz
2) Haardt Mountains (Continuation of Vosges)
1) Driest region in Germany
2) Most established vineyards in this region
1) Pfalz
2) Forst & Deidesheim
1) German region furthest south. Warmest region.
2) Wine style
3) Two notable regions
1) Baden
2) Fullest body & highest alcohol
3) -Kaiserstuhl (extinct volcano)
-Tuniberg
Riesling profile & 5 notable regions
-Delicate/floral to richer peachy fruit
-Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz
3 ways to produce sweet wines
1) Stop fermentation early
2) Use grapes with noble rot
3) Freezing grapes on vine
Hybrid of Riesling & Madeline Royale. Notable regions.
Muller-Thurgau / Rivaner. Rheinhessen, Pfalz
Muller Thurgau (Rivaner)
-Ripens earlier than riesling
-Does not develop same high levels of acidity or flavor intensity
-Can have floral/fruity but not typically used to produce high quality wines
Silvaner
-Dry or sweet
-Less acidic/fruity compared to Riesling
-Can have earthy quality
-Rheinhessen & Franken
Grauburgunder / Rulander
Pinot Gris
5 German White Varietals
1) Riesling
2) Muller Thurgau / Rivaner
3) Silvaner
4) Grauburgunder / Pinot Gris
5) Weissburgunder / Pinot Blanc