What is the classification basis for the German wine quality scale?

What is the classification basis for the German wine quality scale?

• A. Sugar levels at harvest
• B. Alcohol content
• C. Bottle age
• D. Winery reputation

Answer: (A)

The German wine quality scale is based on how ripe the grapes were at harvest, measured by the must weight (sugar content) of the grape juice. This sugar level at picking determines the Prädikatswein categories—Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein—so higher must weight leads to a higher category. Alcohol content after fermentation is a result, not the criterion for classification, and bottle age or winery reputation do not define the official quality level.

The German wine quality scale is based on how ripe the grapes were at harvest, measured by the must weight (sugar content) of the grape juice. This sugar level at picking determines the Prädikatswein categories—Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein—so higher must weight leads to a higher category. Alcohol content after fermentation is a result, not the criterion for classification, and bottle age or winery reputation do not define the official quality level.