WELTACHS Weinkellerei GmbH - WELTACHS Weinhandel GmbH

The German quality system is very strict but also liberal. It does not make a difference between the
locations of a vineyard. It all depends on the professional skill of the wine maker and the degree of
ripens of the grapes.
The quality is divided in several levels of quality. The different level depends on the different concentration
of natural grape sugar inside the grape while harvesting them. The higher the natural content of grape
sugar, the higher is the level of quality.

Basic wines:

Qualitätswein: is made from ripened grapes of at least 8 ° potential alcohol content. Fine,
usually chaptalized* wines, with a medium alcohol content. Everyday drinking wines of good
quality.

Premium wines:

One of the following six special attributes must be identified on the label and the wines are subject to
additional regulations concerning ripeness level, and in some cases, method of harvesting. In ascending
order of ripeness (natural sugar concentration) at harvest the attributes are:

Kabinett: made from fully ripened grapes. Fine, usually light wines with a low alcohol content.
    Excellent with or without meals.
Spätlese: literally translated : Late harvest; made from riper grapes that usually have been picked
    at a later stage in the harvest. These wines are more intense in flavor and concentration.
    Good with richer, more flavorful foods, or by themselves.
Auslese: made from selected, very ripe bunches. Noble wines, intense in bouquet and taste.
Beerenauslese (abbreviated BA): made from individually-selected, overripe berries which are
    are infected by the fungus Botrytis (noble rot). These are rarities, harvested only when exceptional
    weather conditions enable the grapes to ripen to this extent. They are notable for their longevity
    (can be stored for decades). Remarkably rich, sweet dessert wines, or to be enjoyed by
    themselves.
Eiswein: made from grapes as ripe as BA, but harvested and pressed while frozen. Truly unique
    wines with a remarkable concentration of fruity acidity and sweetness.
Trockenbeerenauslese (abbreviated TBA): made from individually-selected berries which are
    overripe (and usually infected by noble rot) and dried up almost to raisins. Rarities. Extraordinary
    longevity. Rich, sweet, luscious, honey-like wines.

Chaptalization* (adding sugar to increase the content of alcohol during fermentation) is strictly forbidden in
the category of the premium wines.

*This method of increasing the content of alcohol was invented by a French monk around the year 1800 and
is a common wine producing method for all basic wines around the world.