Understanding
German Wine Labels
The most important terms on a German Wine Label are 1) the
name of the Weingut or Weinkellerei that produced the wine,
2) the vintage from which the grapes were harvested, 3)
the Bereich that the grapes come from, 4) the Einzellage
that the grapes come from, 5) the grape type used in producing
the wine, 6) for QmP wines, one of six categories of grape
ripeness at the time of harvest - kabinett, spatlese, auslese,
beerenauslese, eiswein, or trockenbeerenauslese, 7) the
quality category of the wine - either Qualitatswein mit
Pradikat (QmP), Qualitatswein Bestimmter Anbaugebiet (QbA),
or the lesser Tafelwein, 8) the terms Gutsabfullung or Erzeugerabfullung
which tell us the wine was estate bottled, 9) the Anbaugebiet
that the grapes come from.
These and other important label terms can be found in the
glossary below.
Glossary
Anbaugebiet
The term for growing regions of quality German wine. There
are currently 13: Ahr, Baden, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse,
Mittelrhein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen,
Pfalz (formerly known as Rheinpfalz), Wurttemberg, and two
that were recently added from the former East Germany, Saale
Unstrut and Sachsen. Within each Anbaugebiet, there are
many Bereiche, which are further broken down into Einzellagen.
Auslese
German word meaning "selection." Auslese wines
are made from grapes harvested with a natural sugar content
of 20 to 25 percent. Within the German Qualitatswein Mit
Pradikat (QmP) system, these grapes are harvested with higher
sugar levels than Kabinett and Spatlese, and lower levels
than Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese. The
resulting wines usually rank similarly in sweetness, but
can be fermented drier giving them the labeling Trocken
or Halbtrocken.
Baden
A large, disconnected wine-producing region in southern
Germany. Muller Thurgau is the most popular varietal planted
here. It is also the country's largest producer of red wines,
made mostly from Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir). Most wines
here are produced by huge cooperatives.
Beerenauslese
Literally, "berry selection" in German. Beerenauslese
wines are made from grapes that are picked individually
rather than a whole bunch at a time. All grapes on a cluster
or "bunch" do not normally ripen at exactly the
same rates. Berry selection allows the winemaker to make
superb wine by insuring that every grape is at optimum ripeness.
These wines are made from grapes harvested with a natural
sugar content of 26 to 30 percent. Within the German Qualitatswein
Mit Pradikat (QmP) system, these grapes are harvested with
higher sugar levels than Kabinett, Spatlese, and Auslese,
similar levels to Eiswein, and lower levels than Trockenbeerenauslese.
The resulting wines usually rank similarly in sweetness.
Bereich
German for "region." A bereich is actually a subregion
of an Anbaugebiet and is usually named after a town or village.
Bereiche then may contain many Einzellagen, or vineyard
sites.
Bernkastel
An important Bereich in Germany's middle Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
region or "Mittlemosel."
Bingen
German Bereich named after the town that lies where the
Nahe River joins the Rhine River. It lies within the Rheinhessen
region. The main grape used here for the area's predominantly
white wines, is Riesling.
Blaufrankisch
A red wine grape used in Austria and Germany that produces
light bodied wines with considerable acidity. Also known
as Limberger and Lemberger.
Bocksbeutel
Name given to the uniquely shaped bottle used in Germany's
Franken region. The literal translation of this word is
"goat's scrotum." However, it is believed that
the name was instead taken from the low German "bockesbeutel,"
a small pouch used to carry prayer books.
Chaptalization
The process of adding sugar to grape juice before fermentation
is complete. This addition does not make the wine sweeter
rather it increases the alcohol level and, in theory, produces
a wine with better balance. This practice is used in many
wine regions around the world including Germany, but it
is very highly regulated.
Dornfelder
A red grape hybrid gaining popularity in Germany. It is
grown primarily in the Rheinhessen and Pfalz regions.
Einzellage
An individual German vineyard site of up to 5 hectares (12.5
acres), usually preceded by the town or village name on
wine labels.
Eiswein
German term that translates as "ice wine." It
is a sweet wine produced from grapes that have frozen on
the vine. By pressing these grapes before they thaw, producers
can create wines that are intensely sweet, yet balanced
with acidity.
Elbling
A white wine grape used in Germany's Mosel region, usually
for the production of Sekt (German sparkling wine).
Erzeugerabfullung
German term that translates roughly to "estate bottled."
However, this term can also appear on wines bottled by cooperatives.
Estate
Bottled
A label term that says that the wine in that bottle was
produced from 100% grapes grown, vinified, and bottled by
a single producer at his winery.
Franken
German wine region that is probably less known (in the U.S.)
for the wine it produces than the bottles that its wine
is shipped in. The flat sided, squat bottle is called a
Bocksbeutel; before you go running for your German dictionary,
we suggest you look here for the wine related definition
of this term. Despite the perceived novelty status, Franken's
wines can be among the best dry wines of Germany. They are
mainly white and made from Muller Thurgau, Silvaner, and
Bacchus. Most of the area's wine production is consumed
locally.
German
Wine
Country best known for its production of white wines of
varying sweetness from the Riesling grape. Sylvaner and
Muller Thurgau are also widely used for white wines, as
well as lesser amounts of Bacchus, Ehrenfelser, Elbling,
Faber, Gewurztraminer, Huxelrebe, Kerner, Rulander (Pinot
Gris), Scheurebe, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and others.
Red wine varietals include Portugieser, Spatburgunder (Pinot
Noir), and Trollinger (Schiava). The best German wines are
those given the Qualitatswein Mit Pradikat (QmP) designation.
Wines within this designation are further categorized according
to the ripeness of grapes that are used in their production.
Those categories, in order of least ripe (and usually least
sweet) to ripest (and usually sweetest), are Kabinett, Spatlese,
Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese.
Qualitatswein Bestimmter Anbaugebiet (QbA) is the quality
designation one step below QmP, and is followed by the simple
Deutscher Tafelwein (DTW). Germany contains thirteen quality
growing regions or Anbaugebiet; they are Ahr, Baden, Franken,
Hessische Bergstrasse, Mittelrhein, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Nahe,
Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz (formerly known as Rheinpfalz),
Wurttemberg, and two that were recently added from the former
East Germany, Saale Unstrut and Sachsen.
Gutsabfullung
German term meaning "estate bottled". This term
can only be used by wine estates, and not cooperatives.
Halbtrocken
German for "half-dry."
Hessische
Bergstrasse
Small German Anbaugebiete (quality wine region) that produces
quality white wines mainly from the Riesling grape. This
region contains the bereiche of Starkenberg and Umstadt.
Most of the wines produced here are consumed locally.
Huxelrebe
A quality German white wine hybrid grape used in the Rheinhessen
and Rheinpfalz regions, most often for blending.
Ice
Wine
Term used to indicate a dessert style wine made from frozen
grapes. The juice is concentrated by the elimination of
water in the ice crystals and makes a richer wine than using
ordinary grapes. In Germany and Austria, the grapes must
reach specific levels of ripeness, and must be frozen naturally
on the vine (SEE EISWEIN). In Canada the grapes must also
be frozen in the fields. The US, however, allows grapes
to be harvested then frozen by artificial means when producing
a wine labeled as Ice Wine.
Jahrgang
German for "vintage."
Kabinett
Of German wines that make the Qualitatswein mit Pradikat
designation, Germany's highest designation, Kabinett wines
are made from grape with the lowest sugar levels at harvest.
The ascending categories of grape ripeness (and usually
wine sweetness) in QmP wines are Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese,
Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese.
Keller
German for "cellar."
Kellerei
German term for a merchant's wine cellar.
Kerner
High quality German white wine hybrid grape made from Schiava
and Riesling.
Liebfraumilch
A simple, sweet, inexpensive white wine from Germany's Rheinhessen
and Phalz (Rheinpfalz) regions made from Muller Thurgau,
Sylvaner, Kerner, or Riesling. Liebfraumilch wines must
be of at least QbA quality and contain at least 1.8% residual
sugar.
May
Wine
This German wine punch is made by infusing a light, sweet
wine with woodruff leaves. It is usually served with strawberries
floating in it.
Mittelrhein
Small, unheralded German wine region, which produces mostly
white wine made from Riesling. The best producers are located
near the region's southern town of Bachrach.
Mosel
Saar Ruwer
Important German wine region covering the area around the
Mosel River and its tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer.
Riesling is king here, accounting for over half the grapes
planted in the region, followed by Muller Thurgau and Elbling.
The white wines produced here are some of Germany's best
and often merit extended bottle aging. The region can be
broken into 4 sections or Bereiche; they are Zell/Mosel,
Bernkastel, Saar Ruwer, and Obermosel
Moseltaler
Category of wines produced in Germany's Mosel Saar Ruwer
region from Elbling, Kerner, Muller Thurgau, or Riesling.
The wines must be of QbA quality and contain between 1.5
and 3% residual sugar. These wines are similar in style
to the Liebfraumilch wines produced in the Rhine region.
Nahe
German wine region surrounding the Nahe River before it
flows into the Rhine that is known for producing quality
white wines from Riesling. Muller Thurgau and Sylvaner are
also important grapes here for producing the region's mainly
white wines. The Nahe region is divided into two Bereiche,
Kreuznach and Schloss Bockelheim.
Pfalz
Important German wine region (also known as Rheinpfalz until
1992) in terms of quantity, quality and variety. The northern
portion of this region produces mainly white wines from
Riesling, Scheurebe, and Rulander (Pinot Gris), and red
wines from Dornfelder. The warmer southern portion has become
a place for wines not only like those in the north, but
also white wines from Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay
and Muscat and red wines from Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir).
Unfortunately, the south is still home to many vineyards,
whose sole purpose is to produce large quantities of Muller
Thurgau, Morio Muscat, and Kerner grapes for use in cheap
bulk wines.
Portugieser
Important red wine grape in Germany and Austria that produces
light, fruity, sometimes sweet, red and rose wines. The
formal name for this grape is Blauer Portugieser, and despite
the name, it seems to have no connection to the country
of Portugal.
Qualitatswein
Bestimmter Anbaugebiet or QbA
Basic level of German quality wine. These wines may be chaptalized,
but otherwise must meet minimum standards for ripeness and
specified approved grapes for each region.
Qualitatswein
Mit Pradikat or QmP
Literally translated from German, it means a "quality
wine with distinction." QmP wines may not be chapitalized
and must reach minimum grape ripeness levels of any one
of six categories: Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese,
Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein. SEE ALSO GERMAN WINE
Rheingau
German wine region noted for fine white wines from made
from Riesling. This region is home to some of Germany's
and the world's finest quality white wine producers, who
make an assortment of wines ranging from dry and crisp to
full, sweet, and incomparably complex.
Rheinhessen
German wine region, which produces the greatest variety
of wines from the greatest variety of grape types. The highest
quality producers are located near the Rhine and use Muller
Thurgau, Sylvaner, Scheurebe, Riesling, as well as many
other grapes.
Rheinpfalz
SEE PFALZ
Riesling
A white wine grape that originated in Germany. It can produce
styles varying from light, crisp, and decidedly tart, to
rich, spicy, and complex. It is also referred to as Rhine
Riesling, Riesling Renano (Italy), and White Riesling (US).
It is not related to Welschriesling, Gray Riesling, Riesling
Italico, or a host of other Eastern European Riesling names.
Saale
Unstrut
Wine region located in eastern Germany. The major white
wine grapes here are Muller Thurgau, Sylvaner, Bacchus,
and Gutedel (Chasselas). Portugieser, and Spatburgunder
(Pinot Noir) are the two most popular red wine grapes.
Sachsen
Small wine region located in eastern Germany. The most widely
planted white wine grapes are Muller Thurgau, Traminer (Gewurztraminer),
Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Gutedel (Chasselas), and Riesling.
A small amount of red wine is made from Portugieser.
Scheurebe
Hybrid grape produced by crossing Riesling and Sylvaner.
It is widely planted in the Rheinhessen and Pfalz regions
of Germany. Opinions are seldom neutral about the exotic
aromas and flavors of the wines from this grape.
Sekt
German word for quality sparkling wine. A great deal of
Sekt is made from still wines produced in other countries.
However, Deutscher Sekt is made from only German wine and
can be quite good.
Spatburgunder
German term for the Pinot Noir grape.
Spatlese
Of German wines that make the Qualitatswein mit Pradikat
designation, Germany's highest designation, Spatlese wines
are made from grapes with sugar levels at harvest that are
higher than Kabinett and lower than Auslese. The ascending
categories of grape ripeness (and usually wine sweetness)
in QmP wines are Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese,
Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese. Spatlese wines are therefore
typically medium sweet.
Sylvaner
or Silvaner
Important white wine grape in Germany. It is also used in
France's Alsace region and parts of northern Italy. In many
places it is being uprooted and replaced with a hybrid that
it contributed to, Muller Thurgau.
Tafelwein
Very small category of German wine, which does not meet
the specifications for the higher quality categories of
Qualitatswein.
Tartrates
Crystals, which separate from wines during fermentation
and aging. They may look like glass, but they are completely
harmless.
Trocken
German word meaning "dry."
Trockenbeerenauslese
German word, which translates approximately as "dry
berry select." Also known as TBA, these wines are the
rarest of Germany's Qualitatswein Mit Pradikat (QmP) system
and are required to have a natural sugar content of nearly
35 percent. Individually picked grapes, which have been
affected by Botrytis Cinerea are used to make this highly
concentrated and very age-worthy dessert wine.
Wein
German word for "wine."
Weingut
German word for "wine estate." Its use on wine
labels is limited to wine produced from estate grown grapes.
Weinkellerei
German word for "wine cellar." Its use on wine
labels means the producer buys grapes, must, or wine.
Wurttemberg
Wine region in southern Germany noted for its red wines
made from Limberger (Blaufrankisch), Mullerrebe (Meunier),
or Trollinger (Schiava) varieties. Scattered areas also
make white wine from Riesling.
Zeller
Schwarze Katz
A simple white wine with a black cat on the label, made
from grapes grown around the town of Zell in the Mosel region
of Germany.
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