Grosslage

Very interesting, but a slight correction there are now 13 wine regions. The two added were in what was in East Germany.

Sibeer stated: "Very interesting, but a slight correction there are now

Yes I expected there to be a few changes as the source I used was old and probably is based on the basic 1971 German wine law. That is why I mentioned that there might have been some changes. There have also been several other modifications in the 1971 wine law. At one time you could have everything from a Kabinett Eiswein to a TBA Eiswein, so you might see Auslese Eiswein on a label. The law was changed quite a few years ago so that you can use only Eiswein on the label, but an Eiswein must be of BA or TBA richness. The change probably was made because some were even selling Kabinett Eiswein that might be described as "Essence of Greeness"

Reply to snipped-for-privacy@cwdjr.net .

What are these regions called?

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

Saale-Unstrut and Sachsen

The best I can remember from reading over many years, is that the wines from what was East Germay were never considered at the top of German wines in general, even back to the 1800s. However there are always exceptions for some years and for a few estates that take special care. You are now seeing a few quality wines coming from other regions of Germany that in the past produced mainly wines that went in blends or Sekt(sparkling wine).

Reply to snipped-for-privacy@cwdjr.net .

Prior to the 1971 German wine laws, several words could be used in the name of the wine to distinguish between quality levels. These were sometimes abused, so the 1971 laws put an end to this. However some wines also had label and capsule differences even before 1971. Here are a few examples of now forbidden words from pre-1971 wines I have. Now forbidden words relating to quality are in caps.

Niersteiner Rehbach FEINSTE Auslese 1959, F.K. Schmidt (Fienste = best or finest)

Steinberger Beerenauslese 1959 CABINET, Staatsweingutter (Cabinet reserve)

Bernkasteler Doctor Auslese Eiswein CHRISTWEIN 1970, Thanisch (Christwein = day picked). Today this could not be labeled an eiswein, because an eiswein must be of BA or TBA level, and BA or TBA can not be included on a label that says eiswein. This change in law was made several years after 1971.

Scharzhofberger FIENE Auslese NIKOLAUSWEIN 1970, Koch (Fiene = fine; Nikolauswein = day picked).

Both Schloss Johannisberger and Schloss Vollrads have long used a complicated system of capsule colors and stripes. Schloss Johannisberger has used a coat-of-arms label with their regular line and a view of the Schloss looking up from the river on their top line. J. J. Prum has used gold capsules and long gold capsules to distinguish their better wines. There are many other examples.

Reply to snipped-for-privacy@cwdjr.net .

December 25th.

Minimum is BA level (as in Austria), with no maximum, of course.

^^ FEINE

Feine

December 6th.

M.

December 25th.

Minimum is BA level (as in Austria), with no maximum, of course.

^^ FEINE

Feine December 6th.

M.