German wine classification categorizes premium wines based on grape ripeness and sugar content. These wines, known as Prädikatswein, must pass official quality checks and indicate their place of origin.
How it is made
Prädikatswein is made from grapes harvested at specific times to achieve different levels of ripeness and sweetness. The classification ranges from Kabinett, the earliest harvest, to Trockenbeerenauslese, made from individually selected dried berries affected by noble rot.
Types and styles
The classification includes Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein. Each category represents increasing levels of grape ripeness and sugar content, with later harvests producing sweeter, more concentrated wines. Eiswein is made from frozen grapes pressed while still frozen.
History
The system was established in 1971 under German wine law, previously known as Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) until 2007. It is based on a classification that originated in the Rheingau region, where later harvests produce riper, sweeter wines.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Вина с предикатом, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Styles and varieties
- Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter