Which Wachau classification is 12.5% ABV or more?

Which Wachau classification is 12.5% ABV or more?

• A. Smaragd
• B. Steinfeder
• C. Federspiel
• D. Ausbruch

Answer: (A)

Understanding how Wachau classifies wine by alcohol helps explain this. Steinfeder wines are the lightest and capped at about 11.5% ABV. Federspiel sits in the middle, roughly 11.5% to 12.5% ABV. Smaragd wines are the fullest-bodied, defined as 12.5% ABV or more. So when a wine reaches 12.5% ABV or higher, it belongs to the Smaragd category. Ausbruch is a historic, higher-sugar style associated with late harvest, not part of the current Steinfeder–Federspiel–Smaragd scheme, so it doesn’t define this threshold.

Understanding how Wachau classifies wine by alcohol helps explain this. Steinfeder wines are the lightest and capped at about 11.5% ABV. Federspiel sits in the middle, roughly 11.5% to 12.5% ABV. Smaragd wines are the fullest-bodied, defined as 12.5% ABV or more. So when a wine reaches 12.5% ABV or higher, it belongs to the Smaragd category. Ausbruch is a historic, higher-sugar style associated with late harvest, not part of the current Steinfeder–Federspiel–Smaragd scheme, so it doesn’t define this threshold.