Germany - Wine Regions Flashcards
(72 cards)
1
Q
What are the four regions with the highest production? How much is it?
A
- Rheinhessen
- Pfalz
- Baden
- Württemberg
- 80% of production
2
Q
Rheinhessen
Describe the climate. What type is it ideal for?
A
- Warm and dry region, sheltered by mountain ranges (Hunsrück, Taunus)
- Majority on warm, fertile valley floors, ideal for high volume, inexpensive wines
3
Q
Rheinhessen
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
A
- White (70%)
- Riesling (most planted)
- Müller-Thurgau
- Silvaner
- Grauburgunder
- Weissburgunder
- Black (30%)
- Dornfelder
- Spätburgunder
4
Q
Rheinhessen
What percentage of German vineyard does it cover?
A
25%
5
Q
Rheinhessen
What is the focus of production?
A
High volume production by merchant houses dominates
6
Q
Rheinhessen
Name two significant producers
A
- Weingut Gunderloch
- Weingut Keller
7
Q
Rheinhessen
Name the two best areas
A
- Rheinterrasse
- Wonnegau
8
Q
Rheinhessen
Describe the area “Rheinterrasse”
A
- Steeply-sloping, east-facing -> warming sun in the morning
- Rhein moderates temperatures and extends ripening period
- Best site: “Roter Hang” with iron-rich red soil (slate, clay, sandstone) -> Riesling shows smoky characteristics
9
Q
Rheinhessen
What are the two important grapes in “Wonnegau”?
A
Riesling and Spätburgunder
10
Q
Pfalz
Describe the climate
A
- Not centered along a river valley
- Driest region in Germany (potentially drought)
11
Q
Pfalz
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
A
- White (65%)
- Riesling (most planted)
- Müller-Thurgau
- Grauburgunder
- Weissburgunder
- Black (35%)
- Dornfelder
- Spätburgunder
12
Q
Pfalz
Describe the soil
A
Wide variety of soils including limestone sandstone basalt and clay
13
Q
Pfalz
Name the two best areas
A
- Mittelhaardt (in the north around Bad Dürkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg)
- Südliche Weinstrasse (in the south)
14
Q
Pfalz
Describe the area “Mittelhaardt”
A
South- or east-facing steeply sloping vineyards -> max sunshine and protection from winds
15
Q
Pfalz
What is the “Südliche Weinstrasse” known for and what is a recent trend?
A
- Traditionally inexpensive wine production
- Increased quality in recent years, especialls from Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder
16
Q
Pfalz
Who dominates high volume and who quality wine production?
A
- High volume dominated by merchant houses
- Quality wine mostly produced by small estates and co-operatives
17
Q
Pfalz
Name two significant producers
A
- Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (small estate)
- Winzerverein Deidesheim (co-operative)
18
Q
Baden
Where is it located and from where to where does it spread?
A
- Eastern side of the Rhine (opposite Alsace)
- Multiple distinct areas (Bereiche)
- Spreads from north of Heidelberg to the Swiss border in the south with some vineyards wound the east of the Bodensee
19
Q
Baden
Describe the climate
A
- Benefits from the rain shadow of the Vosges
- Warmest, sunniest, and driest region in Germany
20
Q
Baden
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
A
- White (60%)
- Müller-Thurgau (high-volume, inexpensive blends)
- Grauburgunder (very good, often oak)
- Weissburgunder (very good, often oak)
- Chardonnay (very good, often oak)
- Black (40%)
- Spätburgunder (often oak)
21
Q
Baden
Name the two best areas
A
- Kaiserstuhl (extinct volcano)
- Ortenau, Tuniberg, Breisgau (cooler)
22
Q
Baden
Describe the area Kaiserstuhl and the respective style of wine
A
- Extinct volcano
- Steep, south-facing slopes
- Fullest-bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, smoky flavors
23
Q
Baden
Describe the soil and winetype of the areas Ortenau, Tuniberg, and Breisgau
A
Calcareous soil, so wines have more acidity and delicate fruit flavors
24
Q
Baden
What share of production is from co-operatives? And name one example
A
- 75% of production from co-operatives
- e.g., Badischer Winzerkeller
25
**Baden**
Name a high-quality small estate
Bernhard Huber
26
**Württemberg**
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
* **Black (70%)**
* Trollinger
* Lemberger
* Schwarzriesling
* **White (30%)**
* Riesling
27
**Württemberg**
Describe the two styles of red wines produced
* Mainly light, fruity red wines with the majority from the co-operative Möglingen
* Sometimes fuller-bodied Lemberger with riper flavors, higher alcohol, and oak usage
28
**Württemberg**
Name the best area, the quality of the wines and the topography
* River Neckar
* Very good quality wines
* Steep, terraced vineyards
29
**Württemberg**
Name two significant producers
* Reiner Schnaitmann
* Württembergische Weingärtner (co-operative)
30
**Mosel**
Why are Rieslings from the Mosel so expensive?
* Steep sites are very labor expensive
* Low yields required to make very sweet wines
31
**Mosel**
Where are the best vineyards located and why?
* Best vineyards on steep, south-facing slopes
* Sun exposure and sunshine reflection from the river
32
**Mosel**
What is the main soil type and how does it help with grape growing?
Dark-colored slate that radiates heat
33
**Mosel**
How much of grapes planted is white and how much Riesling?
* 90% white
* 60% Riesling
34
**Mosel**
What is the typical style? (color, body, alcohol, acidity, aromas, ageing)
* Paler color
* Lighter body
* Lower alcohol
* Higher acidity
* Pronounced floral and green fruit aromas
* Long ageing potential
35
**Mosel**
What is the reputation of the region?
* Strong reputation for producing sweet wines (dry production increases)
* Almost always cold enough to produce Eiswein
36
**Mosel**
In what three parts is it split and what is the best part?
* Upper Mosel
* Middle Mosel (largest and best)
* Lower Mosel
37
**Mosel**
Name the 7 important towns incl. their most famous vineyards
* Bernkastel (Doctor)
* Brauneberg (Juffer, Juffer-Sonnenuhr)
* Erden (Treppchen, Prälat)
* Graach (Himmelreich, Domprobst)
* Piesport (Goldtröpfchen)
* Ürzig (Würzgarten)
* Wehlen (Sonnenuhr)
38
**Mosel**
What are the characteristics of the rivers Saar and Ruwer?
* Slightly higher altitude
* Even lower temperatures
* Higher acidity
39
**Mosel**
What is the most famous vineyard in Saar?
Scharzhofberg
40
**Mosel**
How much of the production comes from the Moselland co-operative?
20%
41
**Mosel**
Name two significant producers
* Egon Müller
* Markus Molitor
42
**Mosel**
Name a major wine company
F.W. Langguth (brands: Erben and Blue Nun)
43
**Franken**
Describe the climate
Most continental climate -> spring frost can be a problem
44
**Franken**
Along which river are the vineyards spread?
W-shaped course along the south-facing slopes of the Main
45
**Franken**
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
* **White (80%)**
* Müller-Thurgau
* Riesling
* Silvaner
* **Black (20%)**
* Spätburgunder
46
**Franken**
What is the budding/ripening time of Silvaner?
Early-budding, early-ripening -> full ripeness before autumn
47
**Franken**
Where is Silvaner planted?
South- and south-east facing slopes on chalk soil
48
**Franken**
Describe the style of higher quality Silvaner (sweetness, body, aromas, quality)
* Dry
* Full body
* Floral and wet stones
* Some of the region’s best and most distinct wines
49
**Franken**
Name two significant producers
* Weingut Rudolf Fürst
* Horst Sauer
50
**Franken**
Name two charitable institutions
* Bürgerspital
* Juliusspital
51
**Nahe**
What protects the area and what is its influence?
* Protected by Hunsrück mountains
* Mild temperatures
* Low rainfall
52
**Nahe**
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
* **White (75%)**
* Riesling
* Müller-Thurgau
* Grau-/Weissburgunder
* **Black (25%)**
* Dornfelder
* Spätburgunder
53
**Nahe**
How is the style of Riesling compared to Mosel and Rheingau/Rheinhessen?
* Slightly lower acidity and riper fruit
* Body: more than Mosel, but less than Rheingau and Rheinhessen
54
**Nahe**
Where are the best vineyards located?
In the east of the region on south-facing banks of the Nahe between Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach
55
**Nahe**
Name two significant producers
* Weingut Dönnhof
* Emrich Schönleber
56
**Nahe**
What temperatures and soils are in the best vineyards?
* Warmest conditions and moderating influences
* Soils are a mixture of slate and sandstone
57
**Rheingau**
What is the focus of this region?
Focus on quality with smaller yields
58
**Rheingau**
What style of wine is the region famous for?
Some of the highest quality Rieslings that are most ageworthy and fuller-bodied
59
**Rheingau**
Describe the climate (protection and moderating influence)
* Protected from cold, northerly winds by Taunus mountains
* Moderating influence from the Rhein (1km wide)
* Rhein increases humidity which is good for botrytis
60
**Rheingau**
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
* **White (85%)**
* Riesling
* **Black (15%)**
* Spätburgunder
61
**Rheingau**
How much is planted to Riesling and in what style is it mostly made?
* 80%
* Dry
62
**Rheingau**
What is the best site for Spätburgunder of very good to outstanding quality?
Steep south-west facing Höllenberg vineyard around Assmannshausen
63
**Rheingau**
What are the soils (east/west)
* East: Sand, loam, and loess
* West: Sandstone and slate
64
**Rheingau**
Around what cities are the best vineyards located? What is their characteristic?
* Rüdesheim, Geisenheim, Johannisberg, Hattenheim, and Erbach
* Steep slopes with best sites on mid-slopes
65
**Rheingau**
What type of business dominates production?
Estates
66
**Rheingau**
Name three estates
* Schloss Johannisberg
* Schloss Vollrads
* Kloster Eberbach (state-owned)
67
**Ahr**
Describe the climate and location
* Most northerly
* Sheltered valley with steep, south-facing slopes along the river Ahr
68
**Ahr**
What soil type dominates?
Heat-retaining dark slate and greywacke (dark sandstone)
69
**Ahr**
What are the white and black grapes and what is their planting ratio?
Black (85%), mostly Spätburgunder
70
**Ahr**
What type of red wine was traditionally produced? What is the style today?
* Traditionally: late harvested and produced with residual sweetness
* Today: very good Spätburgunder, dry, high tannins, and spice notes from oak ageing
71
**Ahr**
What type of business dominates production?
Co-operatives (75%)
72
**Ahr**
Name a significant co-operative and small estate
* Mayschoss (co-operative)
* Jean Stodden
