Federweisser (partly fermented grape must)
German: Federweißer Pronunciation: fay-der-vai-ser Also known as: Neuer Wein, Sauser, Rauscher
Young, still fermenting grape must in autumn, sweet, fizzy and cloudy. It contains yeast and low to medium alcohol.
Federweisser is grape must in the middle of alcoholic fermentation. The yeast is still converting the sugar, so the drink is cloudy, sweet, fizzy and has a changing alcohol content. It is offered only for a few weeks in autumn.
Fermentation continues in the bottle, so it must not be sealed airtight or pressure rises. Federweisser is stored cool and drunk quickly. Depending on region it is also called new wine, Sauser or Rauscher. Traditionally it is served with onion tart.