Taste & Quality
Knowledge
Taste & Quality
Wine should taste good and be flawless in terms of quality. Unfortunately, as we've all experienced at one time or another, this is not always the case.
The ultimate taste and quality of a wine are influenced by a complex network of factors, starting with quality-oriented vineyard measures to produce ripe, healthy grapes. The natural sugar content of a grape's juice – or, must weight – is one measure of ripeness. Both the timing of the harvest and a wine's potential alcohol and hence, potentital quality classification - are directly (but not solely) related to must weights.
Prior to market release, all quality wines are required to undergo quality control testing, including a blind tasting by a neutral panel of experts. A wine's taste and quality are also "put to the test" every time it is entered into a competition. German wine labels not only indicate a wine's quality classification and specified region of origin - additional information about taste and quality may be mentioned, provided that certain criteria have been met.
Crystals in wine: how do they affect taste and quality? One word, two meanings: what is the difference between a "dry" still and a "dry" sparkling wine?
For answers to these questions and to learn more about the factors that affect the taste and quality of a wine, click on one of the subjects listed below.
Noble sweet wines
When the main grape harvest in the German wine-growing regions has ended successfully, one can observe that in certain locations individual vineyards have not yet been harvested. They have not been forgotten by the winemaker, rather they are waiting to become noble sweet delicacies. read more
The Aroma Wheel
The complete aroma experience can be described well with the help of the wine aroma wheel. Everyone can enjoy wine, but hardly anyone is trained to put their perceptions into words. read more
The right glass for every wine
Aromas in wine can sometimes be shy. They often only reveal a hint of their complexity as they dance delicately and expressively in front of our nose and tickle our palate. Without the right glass, important wine aromas remain undetected or get lost between the glass and palate. read more
Crystals in wine
Tartrate crystals in wine, known as "Weinstein" in German, are neither harmful nor a sign of poor quality, rather they are a feature of fine wine read more
Ice wine - a winemaker's gamble
In some years, precious rarities reward winemakers' willingness to take risks. When winemakers play such poker, the stakes are high. It's about grapes that stay on the vine longer than usual and wait for temperatures of at least -7 ° C. read more
Wine storage without a cellar
What is the best way to store wine? And when do you enjoy which wine? read more
Wine tasting at home
It's fun, it's easy to do, and you learn something from it, either with a group or just another friend. What do you need or need to know? Less than you think ... enjoy with all your senses and have fun. read more
Specialty & Regional wines
In addition to various types of wine whose names derive from their color and/or method of production, the wine law also permits a number of specialty and regional wines. read more
Corks and other Closures
For wine lovers the cork is still seen as the epitome of wine culture. However, the cork as a traditional closure is getting increasing competition. read more
The label
A wine label is more or less the calling card of a wine. It gives the consumer a wealth of information that's important when making a purchase: vintage, grape variety, origin, quality category, type and style of wine, alcohol content, name of the producer and the quality control test number. read more
Levels of Sweetness in Wine
Dry is not always dry. It depends whether you are referring to still wine or sparkling wine. Different amounts of residual sugar apply to their respective taste specifications. read more
Sparkling wine (Sekt)
The wine law defines parameters to express the degree of dryness or sweetness in sparkling wine. This differs from the four basic styles stipulated for still wines. read more
Selection - top quality dry wines
Carefully selected top-quality wines – this is indicated to the wine connoisseur by the term "Selection". The yields are strictly limited, the taste is always dry.
Classic - has class, tastes classy
Since the vintage 2000, the term ‘Classic’ has stood for above-average quality wines that taste harmoniously dry and can be combined with many dishes.