Back to Basics! German Wine Edition – Loosen Bros. USA Monthly Newsletter

It’s that time of year again –– we’re taking it back to the basics! In this edition of the newsletter, we’re diving into the world of German wine that is renowned for its precision, elegance, and rich heritage. We’ll explore the top varieties grown in Germany, the intricacies of the wine and vineyard classification systems, and the association of top growers dedicated to quality and innovation. Whether you’re new to German wine or are looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will provide you with a solid foundation to appreciate the nuances and traditions that make German wine truly exceptional.

 

Top Grape Varieties Grown in Germany

There are over 254,500 acres of vines planted in Germany’s 13 distinct wine regions. Two-thirds of these plantings are white varieties and one-third are red. Germany is the largest cultivator of Riesling and Pinot Blanc in the world and is third for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris production. In total, there are over 100 different wine grape varieties grown in Germany, but the main standouts are Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Spätburgunder, Dornfelder, Grauburgunder, and Weissburgunder.

Riesling

Celebrated for its remarkable age-worthiness, Riesling thrives in Germany’s cool climate allowing the grapes to maintain their striking acidity. This versatile grape can produce a diverse array of styles, from bone-dry to richly sweet, each showcasing a unique profile. Riesling often reveals flavors of citrus, green apple, and stone fruit, all underscored by a distinctive minerality that adds depth and complexity. This combination of vibrant acidity and nuanced flavor makes Riesling a favorite for both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring.

 

Müller-Thurgau

Once regarded primarily as a reliable and versatile workhorse variety, Müller-Thurgau has gained recognition for producing delightful, fresh wines that shouldn’t be overlooked. This varietal delivers a charming profile with flavors of crisp herbs, juicy apples, and ripe pears. Müller-Thurgau is a crossing of Riesling and the lesser-known Madeleine Royal grapes—this combination of parent varieties imparts a unique character to Müller-Thurgau, offering a refreshing and approachable alternative for those seeking a wine that is both vibrant and versatile.

 

Spätburgunder

Spätburgunder, the German name for Pinot Noir, was once a well-kept secret of the German wine world but is now emerging as a contender for Europe’s great red wine. With Germany surpassing both New Zealand and Australia in Pinot Noir production, this varietal has found a remarkable home in German vineyards. German Spätburgunder is celebrated for its elegance and finesse, offering a refined palate that often features enticing notes of blackberry and cherry. The country’s unique terroir and meticulous winemaking techniques contribute to the complexity and depth of these wines, positioning German Pinot Noir as a standout choice for red wine enthusiasts.

 

Dornfelder

Dornfelder remains relatively obscure outside of Germany but is highly regarded in the country. This distinctive red wine varietal is celebrated for its rich, deep red color, which results from its thick, robust skins. Dornfelder offers a complex flavor profile, featuring aromatic notes of elderflower, ripe blackberry, and luscious plum. The grape’s ability to produce wines with vibrant colors and intriguing flavors makes it a popular choice among German wine enthusiasts, even as it gradually gains recognition on the international stage.

• The Villa Wolf Dornfelder is made in a medium-sweet, fruit-forward style, its lightly floral aroma and plush flavors of plums and cherries are well balanced by velvety tannins. It has an intense color, and lip-smacking flavor, and pairs well with a wide variety of foods like hearty stews and flavorful cheeses. Its balanced structure and fruit-forward profile make it a flexible choice for both casual and more formal dining occasions. Part of the value range of wines from Villa Wolf, this Dornfelder is the perfect foray into the world of German Dornfelder.

 

Grauburgunder

Grauburgunder, also known as Pinot Gris, ranks as Germany’s third most widely planted white grape variety. It thrives particularly well on loess terraces but also adapts to chalky, stony or heavier soils. The versatility of Grauburgunder allows it to produce a broad spectrum of wine styles, everything from lusciously sweet wines with complex notes of noble rot to crisp, dry styles. These wines often feature vibrant flavors of mango, peach, quince, and almonds. This adaptability and range make Grauburgunder a favorite for many wine lovers and a key component of Germany’s diverse white wine offerings.

 

Weissburgunder

Weissburgunder, known internationally as Pinot Blanc, is often considered Germany’s hidden gem among white wines. In its youth, Weissburgunder dazzles with enticing notes of white peach and melon and as the wine matures, it evolves to reveal more complex, nutty flavors, showcasing its potential for aging and development. Germany stands as the world’s largest producer of Pinot Blanc, accounting for 30% of the global production. This prominence underscores the country’s commitment to and expertise in crafting this versatile varietal, making Weissburgunder a significant part of Germany’s rich white wine tradition.

 

 

German Vineyard Quality Classifications

Vineyards in Germany are classified based on quality. There are four vineyard classification levels: Gutswein, Ortswein, Erste Lage, and Grosse Lage. This classification pyramid was developed by the VDP, Germany’s association of the top wine estates, and was later formally introduced into the German Wine Law. Non-VDP producers can adopt these vineyard classifications, but VDP members maintain higher overall standards than the law requires.

 

Grosse Lage – (Grand Cru) is the designation for Germany’s finest vineyards, clearly expressing their unique terroir. An estate’s best dry wine from a Grosse Lage site is labeled Grosses Gewächs (GG).

Erste Lage  – (Premier Cru) designates first-class vineyards with distinctive characteristics.

Ortswein – (Village Wine) originates from a single village’s good-quality, traditional vineyards.

Gutswein – (Estate Wine) is an estate’s entry-level wine, showing its typical character and style.

Learn more about the VDP, and the vineyard and wine quality classifications in this brochure. 

 

German Wine Quality Classifications

 

German wines are classified based on ripeness-based levels of wine quality. There are two classifications: Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein.

Qualitätswein

German for “quality wine” that comes entirely from one of the 13 designated wine regions. Chaptalization, when sugar is added during the fermentation process, is allowed in Qualitätswein. This designation is used for an estate’s basic wine but also for dry and off-dry wines that don’t fit into one of the Prädikat categories.

Prädikatswein / QmP

German for “predicate.” Prädikat wines are “predicated” upon achieving a certain level of natural ripeness (no chaptalization allowed). There are six Prädikat levels: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese (BA), Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). To qualify as Prädikatswein, the wine must adhere to stringent regulations regarding grape ripeness and vinification methods which ensures that Prädikatswein represents high-quality, expressive wines with distinct characteristics. VDP producers use Prädikat designations only on wines with residual sweetness.

The Six Prädikat Levels:

• Kabinett: 

  This is the lightest and most delicate style of Riesling, made from normally ripe grapes picked early in the harvest. In a cool-climate region like the Mosel, Kabinett can be quite low in alcohol (7.5-8%), with brisk acidity and moderate residual sweetness (40-50 grams/liter).

• Spätlese: 

  [shpayt-lay-zeh] German for “late-harvest.” Spätlese has more richness and body than Kabinett because the grapes are allowed to ripen on the vine for an extra week or more before being harvested. Also low in alcohol, but typically with higher residual sweetness than Kabinett (50-70 grams/liter).

• Auslese: 

  [ows-lay-zeh] Auslese means “selected from the harvest.” This is the Prädikat level for very ripe, late-harvested grapes, and often involves some amount of botrytis (aka “noble rot”). The wine is brilliantly sweet (70-100 grams/liter), with firm, balancing acidity.

• Beerenauslese (BA): 

  [bear-en-ows-lay-zeh] By adding “Beeren” to the word “Auslese,” this means “berry selection.” Beerenauslese is a rare dessert wine made from extremely overripe grapes that are fully affected by botrytis and have shriveled down about halfway. The dessicating effect of the botrytis concentrates the juice, producing lusciously sweet (100+ grams/liter RS), densely packed dessert wine.

• Eiswein: 

  [ice-vine] Quite literally, “ice wine,” is made from ripe grapes that have frozen solid on the vine. They are harvested quickly before sunrise and pressed while still frozen, so that only ultra-concentrated grape juice is extracted, resulting in a very dense wine, but with vibrant racy acidity.

• Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): 

  [traw-ken bear-en-ows-lay-zeh] Germany’s greatest and rarest dessert wine, from individually selected berries that have been completely shriveled to dried-up raisins by the botrytis mold. This is the sweetest, most intense dessert wine produced in Germany.

 

German Wine Glossary

German wine can be as complex as it is delightful, and understanding the terminology is the key to unlocking its full potential. Whether you’re exploring a crisp Riesling or a robust Spätburgunder, familiarizing yourself with German wine terms can elevate your experience and help you make informed choices. We’ve broken down the most important terms you’ll come across in your quest to become a Riesling-freak, making it easier for you to navigate the diverse and fascinating world of German wines.

 

Trocken

The German word for dry. Not all Riesling is sweet—actually, more than 60% of wine produced in Germany is classified as dry or off-dry. In Trocken wines, residual sugar is limited to 9 grams/liter, depending on total acidity,

• Trocken Rieslings in the portfolio: Robert Weil Riesling Trocken, Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling Trocken, Robert Weil Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken, Fritz Haag Estate Riesling Trocken, Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Trocken “J”, Wittmann Estate Riesling Trocken.

Feinherb

An informal term used to describe wines that are “off-dry” in German. It’s often preferred over the less commonly used, but official term “Halbtrocken” (which means “half dry”) and can also refer to wines that are slightly sweeter than what is typically classified as Halbtrocken.

• Feinherb Rieslings in the portfolio: Fritz Haag Estate Riesling Feinherb

Sekt

The German term for sparkling wine, refers to a beverage created through primary or secondary fermentation that produces CO2 pressure of at least 3.5 atm in a sealed container, with a minimum alcohol content of 10% by volume.

• Sekt producers in the portfolio: Dr. Loosen, Robert Weil, Maximin Grünhaus, and Zilliken.

Grosses Gewächs

German for “great growth.” Based on the VDP’s vineyard classification system, ‘Grosses Gewächs” refers to a dry wine from a Grosse Lage (equivalent to Grand Cru) vineyard. For wines with residual sugar, traditional Prädikats such as Spätlese to Trockenbeerenauslese are used. Since Grosses Gewächs is not officially recognized by German wine law and cannot appear on wine labels, VDP producers use the initials GG to designate these premium wines.

Grosse Lage

German for “great site” and equivalent to Grand Cru. This term is used in the German wine classification system, particularly by the VDP, to denote the highest-quality vineyard sites in Germany.

• Classification: Considered the pinnacle of German wine sites. They are known for producing wines of exceptional quality, complexity, and aging potential.
• Criteria: Classification is based on the vineyard’s terroir, which includes factors such as soil, climate, and location. These sites are meticulously selected for their superior growing conditions and historical reputation.

The VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter)

VDP stands for Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter and is the association of German Prädikat wine estates, which represents 200 of Germany’s top wine producers. VDP wines are often considered to be of higher quality and follow strict guidelines. The VDP plays a crucial role in defining and enhancing Germany’s wine reputation both domestically and internationally. Our portfolio is no exception, and we are privileged to represent six esteemed VDP members: Dr. Loosen, Fritz Haag, Maximin Grünhaus, Zilliken, Robert Weil, and Wittmann.

• Learn more about the VDP in this article from Trink Magazine.

 

As we wrap up our exploration of German wine basics, we hope you feel more confident navigating the rich and diverse world of German wines. From understanding key terms to appreciating the nuances of different styles, you’re now equipped to make more informed choices and savor each sip with greater insight. Remember that the best way to truly understand wine is to enjoy it. Here’s to discovering new favorites and toasting the exceptional quality and tradition of German winemaking. Prost!