1 minute read
Wine Club
from CB Living
German Wines
Many associate German wines with sweet Riesling wines often under the name Liebfraumilch. Germany offers so much more to wine lovers! In fact, most wines sold inside of Germany are dry white wines, especially those sold in restaurants. Germany produces a wide assortment of wines – dry, semi-sweet, and yes, sweet white wines, rosé wines, red wines, and sparkling wines known as “sekt”. There have been many changes in German wine production recently, and it is best described as a quality revolution. Across the US, sommeliers are exploring German wines with renewed interest.
Although there are more than 100 grape varietals produced in Germany, the current focus remains on Riesling, Müller Thurgau, and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). If you trace the latitude of Germany across to the US, you will see how far north German grapes are grown. That said, the many micro-climates and unique cliff-like growth styles provide plenty of grape growing terrain. German vineyards are categorized as small when compared to their New World counterparts, and often family operated. The production could be described as craftsman style rather than industrial style.
The quality classification of German wines is straight forward. The QbA rating (Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete) refers to wines from a defined appellation. The higher rating of QmP
(Qualitätswein mit Prädikat) refers to wines made from higher ripeness. QmP wines, in order of grape ripeness (not sweetness), will include Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein.
We come back to the discussion of sweet vs dry. On wine labels it is important to know that Trocken refers to dry wine, Halb-trocken wines are off dry, Feinherb are slighty sweet, while Lieblich are sweet wines.
As the wine industry expanded rapidly from all corners of the world, the smaller family-owned German wineries have not kept pace. In short, it remains difficult to find a reasonable selection of German wines in the US.
It would not be fair to leave out the most wonderful side of German wines – the Weinfeste, or wine festivals. Just like the Oktoberfest in Munich, many cities across the wine regions have a wine festival. These festivals begin in May and continue until November. Attending a German Weinfest will hook you on German wine. In the meantime, go hunting for a good bottle of Riesling!
