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<body> <p> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=515 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD> <P><IMG alt="Quality levels in German wine" src="cmsimagetext.asp?t=Quality%20levels%20in%20German%20wine" border=0></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD height=30></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=515 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><MAP name=FPMap0><AREA shape=POLY coords=184,26,128,122,244,122 href="#trockenbeerenauslese"><AREA shape=POLY coords=125,130,109,155,263,155,247,130,128,129 href="#beerenauslese"><AREA shape=POLY coords=105,163,94,184,279,185,265,161 href="#auslese"><AREA shape=POLY coords=89,193,76,214,295,214,282,190 href="#spaetlese"><AREA shape=POLY coords=73,222,60,246,314,243,300,217 href="#kabinett"><AREA shape=POLY coords=55,254,40,278,331,277,319,249,57,250,56,250 href="#qualitaetswein"><AREA shape=POLY coords=36,287,10,333,366,333,338,285 href="#tafelwein"><AREA shape=POLY coords=267,10,447,319,420,319,253,32 href="#praedikat"><AREA shape=POLY coords=239,14,226,37,394,326,422,325 href="#dessertwines"><AREA shape=POLY coords=212,19,395,331,366,331,199,43 href="#eiswein"></MAP><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1770&fkt=2" useMap=#FPMap0 border=0><BR><BR>The <STRONG><SPAN class=headline1><STRONG>categories</STRONG></SPAN></STRONG> of German Wine are determined by the degree of ripeness, which the grapes have achieved upon harvest. <P></P> <P>They <STRONG><SPAN class=headline1><STRONG>do not</STRONG></SPAN></STRONG> reflect sweetness in the wine. </P> <P>Riper grapes provide more aroma and more flavor, hence a more expressive and flavorful wine. The higher the ripeness of the grapes, the higher up in the pyramid the wine will appear. </P> <P>Sweetness in a wine depends on the winemakers decision and is independent of its quality level. The fermentation transforms sugar into alcohol. If the fementation stops or is interrupted before all sugar is transformed, it will result in a sweeter style wine. If the fermentation continues until little or no sugar is left, it results in a dry wine. Grapes for dessert wines have so much natural sugar that they will not ferment completely and residual sugar (sweetness) will remain. Any grapes falling into the levels up to Auslese, can become a very dry, dry or sweeter style wine. </P> <P>Despite the belief German wines are sweet, close to 2/3 of the entire production in Germany is very dry or dry. <BR> <BR></P> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><STRONG><STRONG><SPAN class=headline1><STRONG><A name=praedikat><STRONG>Qualitätsweine mit Prädikat</STRONG></A></STRONG></SPAN></STRONG></STRONG></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <A name=praedikat><BR></A>("Quality Wines with Attributes",<BR>also "Fine Wines") <P></P> <P>The German wine law refers to a certain quality level of wines as "Qualitätsweine mit Prädikat" (quality wines with attributes); these attributes represent graduating ripeness levels, which are in ascending order: <BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1739&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD>Kabinett</TD></TR> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1739&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD>Spätlese</TD></TR> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1739&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD>Auslese</TD></TR> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1739&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD>Beerenauslese (BA)</TD></TR> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1739&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD>Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>"Fine wines" are 100% naturally produced without any artificial addition of sugar ("chaptalization").  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><A name=dessertwines><STRONG>Dessert Wines</STRONG></A></SPAN></TD><STRONG> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></STRONG><BR>Wines of the Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) and Beerenauslese (BA) (the "Ice Wines") categories and some of the Auslese category have intense flavors and sweetness and can greatly be used with desserts or even as dessert.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><A name=eiswein><STRONG>Eiswein</STRONG></A></SPAN></TD><STRONG> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></STRONG><BR>("Ice Wines")  </P> <P>These are wines of at least Beerenauslese (BA) intensity, made from grapes harvested and pressed while frozen. Truly unique wines with a remarkable concentration of fruity acidity and sweetness.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><A name=trockenbeerenauslese><STRONG><SPAN class=headline1><STRONG>Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)</SPAN></STRONG></A></STRONG></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Dry Berries Select Picking")  </P> <P>A harvest of individually selected berries which are overripe and shrivelled on the vine almost to raisins. Rich, sweet, luscious, honey-like wines.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><A name=beerenauslese><STRONG>Beerenauslese (BA)</STRONG></A></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Berries Select Picking")  <BR><BR>A harvest of individually selected, overripe berries. Remarkably rich, sweet dessert wines to be enjoyed as dessert by themselves or with dessert.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><A name=auslese><STRONG>Auslese</STRONG></A></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Select Picking")  <BR><BR>A harvest of selected, very ripe bunches. Noble wines, intense in bouquet and taste. Often dessert wine like and sweet, but they can be dry, medium dry or sweet. Dry Auslese Wines are higher in alcohol and can work with many main courses.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><A name=spaetlese><STRONG>Spätlese</STRONG></A></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Late Harvest")  <BR><BR>The name literally means late harvest. Wines of superior quality made from grapes harvested after the normal harvest. These wines are more intense in flavor and concentration than quality wines and Kabinetts. </P> <P>Good with richer food or by themselves. The later harvest lets the grapes dry and ripen on sunny autumn days which increases the intensity of the fruit and the flavors. Can be dry, medium dry or sweeter style. Good values.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><SPAN class=headline1><A name=kabinett><STRONG>Kabinett</STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><BR>Usually light wines made of fully ripe grapes. Intended to be a light quaffing wine or to go with light food. Generally light in alcohol and calories. Can be dry, medium-dry or sweet. These light wines are about 2 to 5% less in alcohol than Californian wines but not less tasty.  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><SPAN class=headline1><A name=qualitaetswein><STRONG>Qualitätswein</STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Quality Wine")  <BR><BR>German wine law ensures that the wine is from one specific wine-growing region, is made of approved grape varieties and reached sufficient ripeness for a quality wine. These wines are generally chaptalized (Chaptalization: sugar is added to the juice before fermentation to increase the alcohol level after fermentation, commonly used in all wine producing regions of the world). </P> <P>The chaptalization adds body to these otherwise lighter wines and makes them great simple food wines, enjoyable on a day-to-day basis either by themselves or as spritzers (mixed with Club Soda).  <BR><BR><BR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1851&fkt=2" border=0></TD> <TD background=cmsimage.asp?id=1849&fkt=2><SPAN class=headline1><SPAN class=headline1><A name=tafelwein><STRONG>Tafelwein</STRONG></A></SPAN></SPAN></TD> <TD><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1850&fkt=2" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>("Table Wine")  <BR><BR>Made from normally ripe and slightly underripe grapes. Primarily consumed in Germany, very little export. </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=515 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD height=5> <P> </P></TD> <TD></TD> <TD width=10></TD> <TD height=5></TD></TR> <TR> <TD><SPAN class=smalltext1>©2006 SCHMITT SÖHNE - email us anytime at <A href="mailto:info@info@schmitt-soehne.com">info@schmitt-soehne.com</A></SPAN></TD> <TD><A href="javascript:history.back();"><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1736&fkt=2" border=0></A></TD> <TD width=10></TD> <TD><A href="#"><IMG src="cmsimage.asp?id=1735&fkt=2" border=0></A></TD></TR> <TR> <TD height=5></TD> <TD></TD> <TD width=10></TD> <TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </p> <p>Sitemap<br> <ul> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=617">Home</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=618">Products</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=619">Art of winemaking</a><ul> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=628">Quality levels</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=631">Wine crystals</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=633">German wine label</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=620">Food & wine</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=621">Philosophy</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=660">Gallery</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.littlegerman.com">Schmitt Söhne USA</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=623">News</a></li> <li><a href="mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=644">Contact</a></li> </ul> </p> </body>