Germany: Wine Laws and Regulations

Question 1

Name the four levels of German wine in increasing order of must weight

Answer 1

Deutscher Wein
Landwein
Qualitätswein
Prädikatswein

Question 2

What wines come under the Deutscher Wein level?

Answer 2

Wines without a geographical indication made exclusively with German grown grapes

Question 3

What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Deutscher Wein?

Answer 3

8.5% - 15% ABV

Question 4

What price point is most Deutscher Wein?

Answer 4

Inexpensive, to be consumed young

Question 5

What is the name given to the German equivalent of IGP wine?

Answer 5

Landwein

Question 6

What percentage of grapes must be from the Landwein region on a label?

Answer 6

85% minimum

Question 7

What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Landwein?

Answer 7

8.5% - 15% ABV

Question 8

Is Landwein mostly made in a trocken, halbtrocken, or sweet style?

Answer 8

In most regions, wines can only be made in a trocken or halbtrocken style

In some regions sweet Landwein is permitted

Question 9

Where must grapes come from to be labelled as Qualitätswein?

Answer 9

All grapes must come exclusively from one of the 13 designated quality wine regions (Anbaugebiete), the name of which must appear on the label

Question 10

What style of wines can be made as Qualitätswein?

Answer 10

All styles are permitted

Question 11

What are the minimum and maximum alcohol levels for Qualitätswein?

Is enrichment permitted?

Answer 11

Minimum 7%
There is no maximum

Enrichment is permitted

Question 12

What levels of wine in Germany must undergo lab analysis and blind tasting prior to release?

Answer 12

Qualitätswein

Prädikatswein

Question 13

Where must grapes come from to be labelled as Prädikatswein?

Answer 13

Grapes must come exclusively from a Bereich, one of forty recognised wine producing districts, smaller than the Anbaugebieten

Question 14

For Prädikatswein, does the Bereich need to feature on the label?

Answer 14

The Bereich does not need to, and increasingly does not, feature on the wine label.

The name of the Anbaugebiete must feature

Question 15

What grape varieties are permitted in Prädikatswein?

Answer 15

Any, although it is mainly associated with Riesling

Question 16

How much Prädikatswein is produced each year in comparison to Qualitätswein?

Answer 16

Prädikatswein production is usually half that of Qualitätswein

In the best vintages, the amounts can be the same

Question 17

Name the six Prädikat levels in order of increasing must weights

Answer 17

Kabinett
Spätlese
Auslese
Beerenauslese
Eiswein
Trockenbeerenauslese

Question 18

Give a typical tasting note for a Kabinett Riesling

Answer 18

Green and citrus fruit aroma
High acidity
Dry to medium sweet
Light to medium (-) body
Low to medium alcohol (depending on sweetness)

Question 19

What is the minimum alcohol level for Kabinett wines?

Answer 19

7% ABV

Question 20

Give a typical tasting note for a Spätlese Riesling, comparing with Kabinett

Answer 20

More stone fruit than Kabinett (riper fruit)
High acidity (marginally lower than Kabinett)
Dry to medium sweet
Fuller bodied than Kabinett
Higher alcohol at a comparable level of residual sugar

Question 21

What is the minimum alcohol level for Spätlese wines?

Answer 21

7% ABV

Question 22

How do harvest dates for grapes destined for Spätlese and Kabinett wines differ?

Answer 22

Spätlese is produced from fully ripened grapes that are picked two weeks later than those destined for Kabinett

Question 23

What is the minimum alcohol level for Auslese wines?

Answer 23

7% ABV

Question 24

Why might some producers add additional labelling terms not defined by law to Auslese wines?

Answer 24

Because the range of must weights for the category is so wide and there are a range of sweetness levels

Question 25

Give a typical tasting note for a Auslese Riesling, comparing with Spätlese

Answer 25

Riper and more concentrated fruit flavours, some honeyed characteristics Some grapes may have been affected with botrytis, adding complexity Range of sweetness levels, although some of teh best are sweeter in style

Question 26

Would you expect grapes for Auslese wines to be hand harvested?

Answer 26

Auslese is made from specially selected, extra-ripe bunches of grapes Although bunches are carefully selected, hand harvesting is not compulsory, and some producers harvest mechanically before hand sortinf in the winery

Question 27

Would you expect grapes for Beerenauslese wines to be hand harvested? Would you expect grapes for Beerenauslese wines to be botrytised?

Answer 27

Yes - it is made from individual berries and so must be hand harvested Grapes do not have to be botrytised, although it is a typical feature of these wines

Question 28

What is the minimum alcohol level for Beerenauslese wines?

Answer 28

5.5% ABV

Question 29

What aromas and flavours would you expect from a Riesling Beerenauslese wine?

Answer 29

Very ripe and dried stone fruit flavours with wome honeyed notes

Question 30

When are grapes for Eiswein allowed to be picked? Which Prädikat has the same must weight?

Answer 30

Grapes must be picked when frozen at temperatures below -7 degrees. Harvest can begin in November/ December and last until February the following year. The grapes are processed while frozen Eisweins have the same must weights as Beerenauslese

Question 31

Would you expect grapes for Eiswein wines to be botrytised?

Answer 31

No - grapes need to be healthy when they freeze as any flavours of rot would be amplified

Question 32

Would you expect grapes for Trockenbeerenauslese wines to be botrytised?

Answer 32

Yes - these wines have extremely high must weights that would require the grapes to have been affected by noble rot

Question 33

List the German labelling terms for sweetness, from driest to sweetest

Answer 33

Trocken Halbtrocken Lieblich Süss These definitions are based on the level of residual sugar and not how dry or sweet a wine will taste

Question 34

What is the maximum residual sugar for Trocken wines?

Answer 34

4g/l (dry)

Question 35

What is the maximum residual sugar for Halbtrocken wines?

Answer 35

12g/l (off-dry)

Question 36

What is the maximum residual sugar for Lieblich wines?

Answer 36

45g/l (medium / medium sweet)

Question 37

What is the minimum residual sugar for Süss wines?

Answer 37

Must have more than 45g/l (sweet)

Question 38

Would you expect more dry wines to be made in warmer or cooler regions of Germany?

Answer 38

Warmer - ripeness of fruit can balance acidity without the need for sugar

Question 39

Put the following in order of size, from smallest to largest, and give their English definition: Grosslage Anbaugebiete Bereich Einzellage

Answer 39

Einzellage - individual vineyard site Grosslage - collective vineyard sites, usually comprising several Einzellagen Bereich - wine producing district Anbaugebiete - quality wine producing region

Question 40

How many Anbaugebieten are there in Germany?

Answer 40

13

Question 41

How big is the average Einzellage?

Answer 41

38ha

Question 42

How big is the average Grosslage?

Answer 42

Between 600 to 1,800ha

Question 43

Can the quality of Einzellage or Grosslage be determined on the label?

Answer 43

No - there is not currently a ranking system for the different vineyards

Question 44

How many members are there of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter? How much of Germany's vineyard area is owned by VDP members? What percentage of Germany's wine, in terms of volume and value, is made by VDP members?

Answer 44

Around 200 members own 5% of vineyard area Volume: 3% Value: 7.5%

Question 45

How much VDP wine is exported?

Answer 45

Less than a quarter

Question 46

What regulations must VDP members adhere to?

Answer 46

Stricter rules than German wine laws Lower yields Higher minimum must weights Predominantly traditional grapes local to that particular region Encouraged to follow sustainable viticulture

Question 47

How do VDP members label their dry wines?

Answer 47

Qualitätswein Trocken - Prädikat levels are only used for wines with residual sweetness

Question 48

Name the four levels in the VDP's tier system, from least prestigious to most prestigious

Answer 48

VDP Gutswein: Regional wines VDP Ortswein: Village level wines VDP Erste Lage: Equivalent to Burgundy 1er Cru VDP Grosse Lage: Equivalent to Burgundy Grand Cru

Question 49

What is the maximum yield for VDP Gutswein?

Answer 49

75hl/ha

Question 50

What is the maximum yield for VDP Orstwein? What grapes are permitted?

Answer 50

75hl/ha Must be produced from grapes typical of the region

Question 51

What is the maximum yield for VDP Erste Lage? What grapes are permitted?

Answer 51

60hl/ha Must be produced from grapes varieties which the local VDO association has deemed to be suited best to a particular site or parcel

Question 52

What is the maximum yield for VDP Grosse Lage? What grapes are permitted?

Answer 52

50hl/ha Must be produced from grapes varieties which the local VDO association has deemed to be suited best to a particular site or parcel

Question 53

When is the earliest that dry white wines from VDP Grosse Lage can be released?

Answer 53

September the year after harvest

Question 54

When is the earliest that dry red wines from VDP Grosse Lage can be released?

Answer 54

September 2 years after harvest | 12 months must be in oak

Question 55

When is the earliest that sweet white wines from VDP Grosse Lage can be released?

Answer 55

May the year after harvest

Question 56

What designation are dry wines from VDP Grosse Lage given? How is this displayed on the label?

Answer 56

Grosse Gewächs This term cannot appear on the label; instead the VDP trademark is used

Question 57

What is Liebfraumilch? What is the minimum level of residual sugar? What grapes are permitted?

Answer 57

Medium wine of Qualitätswein level Min. 18g/l Must contain at least 70% Riesling, Silvaner, Müller Thurgau or Kerner, although generally Müller Thurgau dominates