Germany Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the major climatic influences on German vineyards?
- Cool continental climate with short growing season
- Rivers (e.g., Mosel, Rhine) moderate temperature & reflect sunlight
- Steep south-facing slopes maximize sun exposure
- Slate soils retain heat
How do Germany’s climatic conditions affect wine style?
- Produces high-acid, low-alcohol wines
- Often off-dry to sweet due to cool ripening
- Vintage variation is significant
What are the two main levels in the German wine quality hierarchy?
- Qualitätswein – Quality Wine from one of 13 Anbaugebiete
- Prädikatswein – Quality Wine with ripeness levels, no chaptalization allowed
What are the 6 Prädikat levels of ripeness (from lowest to highest)?
- Kabinett
- Spätlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese (BA)
- Eiswein
- Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
What is an Anbaugebiet, and how many are there?
An Anbaugebiet is a major wine-growing region; there are 13 in total.
Where is the Mosel region located, and what is it known for?
- Located in western Germany, along the Mosel River
- Famous for delicate, high-acid Rieslings, often off-dry
- Slate soils and steep vineyards
Where is the Rheingau and what wine style is typical?
- Located along the Rhine River, near Wiesbaden
- South-facing slopes, Riesling is dominant
- More structured, fuller-bodied than Mosel
Where is the Pfalz region, and what is notable about it?
- Southern Germany, near Alsace
- Warmer, drier, influenced by Haardt Mountains
- Known for Riesling, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and aromatic whites
What is Rheinhessen known for?
- Germany’s largest wine region
- Produces a wide range of wines
- Riesling growing in importance; also home to Silvaner, Dornfelder
What is a Bereich?
A district within an Anbaugebiet, grouping multiple vineyards and villages.
What is a Grosslage?
A collective vineyard name, grouping multiple Einzellagen (single vineyards); may be less specific.
What is an Einzellage?
An individual single vineyard with specific geographical designation.
What does Ortswein mean in German wine classification?
A “village wine” under VDP classification (not official Prädikat), indicating quality regional typicity.
What is Sekt, and how is it produced?
German sparkling wine, made by:
- Tank method (most common)
- Traditional method (for premium Sekt, e.g. Winzersekt)
What does estate-bottled mean in Germany?
“Erzeugerabfüllung” – Indicates the wine was produced and bottled by the estate from estate-grown grapes.
What are the principal grape varietals of Germany?
White: Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Scheurebe, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder
Red: Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Dornfelder, Portugieser
What are notable crossings (hybrids) in German viticulture?
- Müller-Thurgau = Riesling × Madeleine Royale
- Dornfelder = Helfensteiner × Heroldrebe
Name notable wine villages in Mosel.
Bernkastel, Piesport, Wehlen, Graach, Ürzig
Name notable wine villages in Rheingau.
Rüdesheim, Johannisberg, Eltville, Hochheim
Name notable wine villages in Pfalz.
Forst, Deidesheim, Wachenheim, Bad Dürkheim
Name notable wine villages in Rheinhessen.
Nierstein, Oppenheim, Westhofen
What are the principal soil types in the Mosel region and how do they influence the wine?
- Blue Devonian slate: retains heat, promotes ripening
- Produces light-bodied, high-acid Riesling with mineral character and elegance
What are the key soils in the Rheingau, and their impact?
- Slate, loess, quartzite, and some clay-limestone
- Result in fuller-bodied Rieslings with structure and aging potential
What do the following German label terms indicate?
- Trocken
- Halbtrocken
- Feinherb
- Trocken = Dry (≤ 9 g/L RS)
- Halbtrocken = Off-dry (up to 18 g/L RS)
- Feinherb = Loosely used term for slightly off-dry, less regulated
