Germany Flashcards
(21 cards)
Describe the history of Sekt. What is per capita consumption?
Production increased significantly after the mid-1950s due to inexpensive base wines from the EU. Today, over 90% of production is inexpensive, high-volume brands, meeting enormous German demand for sparkling wine, with a per capita consumption of 3.4 litres per year, the highest in the world.
Define Sekt.
Carbonation is not permitted as a method of production.
Typically made by tank method, No mention of grape varieties or vintage, sourced from inexpensive regions of southern Europe and made sparkling in Germany.
90% of Sekt production falls under this category.
What is the style of Sekt?
Light intensity fruit with no autolytic notes, typically made in Brut or Extra Dry style, with medium acidity and noticeable residual sugar.
What is the quality and price of Sekt?
Quality ranges from acceptable to good, and Sekt is generally inexpensive.
Define Deutscher Sekt.
Made from German-grown fruit, may be produced by tank or traditional method, can be vintage or non-vintage, and must have at least 85% of one variety or multiple varieties, but cannot state its region of origin on the label.
Define Deutscher Sekt bA.
‘bA’ stands for bestimmter Anbaugebiete, meaning ‘of a defined region’. It relates to Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete, quality wine from one of the 13 defined wine-growing regions. The region’s name must appear on the label.
Define Winzersekt.
Estate-bottled Sekt using only grapes grown by the estate, made by traditional method with a minimum of 9 months on lees. Typically made with Riesling, but other varieties may be used. Vintage, grape variety, and producer’s name must appear on the bottle.
What is the style and quality of Winzersekt?
If made from Riesling, it has medium intensity with apple and peach fruit, toasty, smoky, autolytic notes, high acidity, and is typically in Brut style. Quality ranges from very good to outstanding, with a mid- to premium price.
Define Perlwein.
More commonly known as Secco, it can be produced by tank method or carbonation from inexpensive base wine. Cheaper than fully sparkling wine and can be Qualitätsperlwein bA or EU wine. Perlwein is semi-sparkling (1–2.5 bar) and often sweeter than Sekt.
Describe the growing environment for Sekt. Transport?
High volume production occurs in southern Europe (Italy, Spain, France) using low aromatic grapes picked early to retain acidity, typically crushed in the region of origin and transported to Germany.
Describe the growing environment for Deutscher Sekt, Deutscher Sekt bA, and Winzersekt.
Germany has a cool continental climate, producing grapes with low potential alcohol and high acidity, suitable as base wines for sparkling wine. Grapes are typically picked early, with under-ripe grapes removed.
Describe grapes options for Deutscher Sekt.
Mainly made from single varieties, with blends of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Riesling is the most prestigious, with other varieties like Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Silvaner, and aromatic varieties also used.
Describe winemaking options for tank method Sekt.
Grapes grown in Germany may be made into base wine by the grower and then delivered to large Sekt-producing specialist companies for the second fermentation.
Variations in climate and soil overridden by blending of base wines to ensure consistency
Primary fermentation at low temperatures to retain freshness.
Secondary fermentation in tanks, with higher quality wines aged on lees for 3–6 months.
Describe winemaking options for traditional / transfer method German Sekt.
• Uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling
• Lees aging: min 9 months; some prefer 18m+ for smoky notes
• Riesling: no MLF, shorter lees time to preserve floral, apple, lemon notes
• Mature sweet Riesling sometimes used in dosage for richness
• Traditional method adds cost to Winzersekt
• Transfer method used for cheaper bottle-fermented wines
Define wine laws regarding Sekt (min abv etc)
• Must undergo second fermentation
• Min ABV: 10%;
• min pressure: 3.5 atmospheres
• Can use EU-grown grapes
• Varietal/vintage Sekt must be 85% of stated variety or year
Define Flaschengärung and Klassische Flaschengärung.
Flaschengärung means ‘bottle fermented’ and may be disgorged by the transfer method. Klassische Flaschengärung refers to ‘Classic bottle fermentation’ where second fermentation occurs in the bottle and transfer method is not allowed.
Describe market categories for Sekt.
low-end, price-driven sparkling wines that retail for up to €4.00 – which account for over half of all sales
standard-quality sparkling wines that retail for up to €8.00
high-quality sparkling wines, usually at considerably higher prices – a segment that has shown promising development in recent years.
Describe retail market characteristics for Sekt.
Sparkling wine is predominantly sold via retail (75%). The market is price-conscious, with consumers preferring to buy for home consumption. Every bottle includes a government tax of €1.02.
Describe Sekt producer landscape.
Dominated by a few large companies like Rotkäppchen–Mumm and Henkell & Co, producing multiple brands. Winzersekt is produced by smaller companies like Reichsrat von Buhl and Schloss Vaux.
Describe Sekt consumption.
Most Sekt is consumed in Germany, with only a little over 10% exported.
however: big companies have brands in Eastern Europe: either exported from Germany or are subsidiary brands made in Eastern Europe.
Define VDP Sekt.
VDP Sekt Classification (from 2018):
• VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) added Sekt to its statutes
• Wine made to VDP standards under the tagline “good Sekt from the beginning”
• Fruit Grown on the estate of a VDP member
• Specifically intended for Sekt production:
• Hand-picked early, Whole cluster pressed
• Must be made using the traditional method only
From 2020 – New VDP Sekt Categories:
• NV VDP Sekt: Minimum 15 months on lees
• Vintage VDP Sekt: Minimum 24 months on lees
• VDP Sekt Prestige®: Minimum 36 months on lees
• Permitted grape varieties determined by each region
• Typically Riesling or Pinot Blanc/Gris/Noir
• Must reflect regional character
