Taste high-quality German Riesling white wine – get to know its six sweetness levels first

▲ Allen Shoup, the godfather of Washington State’s wine industry, presents the 2008 Poet’s Leap Riesling Botrytis dessert wine (Botrytis Riesling), which was served at the White House state dinner (Photo / Weishi PR)

Reported by Lin Rui-kang, Taipei

When it comes to Germany, besides beer, the white wines it produces are also renowned in the wine world. The fame of German white wines lies in the Riesling grape variety. Wine experts say that German white wines can be divided into two quality categories: “table wine” and “quality wine,” and within the quality wine category, there is also a “premium quality wine” classification.The “premium quality wine” is divided into six levels based on the sugar content of the grapes, from low to high: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese..

Wine experts point out that Riesling is a very aromatic white grape variety, full of fruity and floral notes. Due to Germany’s relatively cool climate, the Riesling wines produced there often feature floral-scented green apple flavors, and sometimes even lemon aromas.

Wine experts say that German Riesling white wines can have varied flavors depending on the environment and brewing methods. They are classified by quality into “table wine” and “quality wine,” with the latter including a “premium quality wine” category. In the Taiwanese market, these generally fall under the premium quality category. The “premium quality wine” is further divided into six levels based on the sugar content of the grapes, from low to high: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese.

1. Kabinett (meaning “can be stored”): Light-bodied, high in acidity, with flavors of green apple or green grape, and low alcohol content.
2. Spätlese (meaning “late harvest”): Fuller-bodied, with citrus, lemon, or pineapple flavors.
3. Auslese (meaning “selected harvest”): Made from riper grapes selected during harvest, it has a richer body than Kabinett and Spätlese, with more intense tropical fruit flavors.
4. Beerenauslese (meaning “selected overripe berries”), abbreviated as BA: Made from grapes affected by noble rot, which enhances the flavor, resulting in a sweet and rich-tasting wine.
5. Eiswein (meaning “ice wine”): A sweet wine made from frozen grapes, with high acidity and a rich body. This wine requires 8 to 10 times more grapes than regular white wine and cannot be produced every year.
6. Trockenbeerenauslese (meaning “selected dried overripe berries”), abbreviated as TBA: Grapes are fully affected by noble rot, with the fruit pulp losing moisture and becoming shriveled. This wine is extremely sweet and also very rich in flavor.

Wine experts say that overall, German Riesling white wines have a strong and rich fruity aroma, sweetness, and high acidity, making them very suitable for women to enjoy.

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