Wine quality categories
German: Weinbezeichnungen (Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein, Prädikatswein) Also known as: Qualitätswein, Prädikatswein, Landwein, Weinqualitätsstufen
Quality tiers under wine law, from wine without origin to Prädikatswein.
German wine law, based on EU rules, distinguishes quality tiers. Wine without geographical indication is the simplest category. Landwein carries a protected geographical indication; quality wine carries a protected designation of origin and comes from a specific growing region.
Prädikatswein is quality wine with a further designation such as Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese or Eiswein, based on ripeness and must weight of the grapes. The tiers tell about origin and ripeness, not necessarily about taste or sweetness. The applicable regulations are authoritative.
Related terms
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)Origin labelling
More from Law and labelling
Nominal volumeHACCP (food hygiene)Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)Sulphite declarationTake-back obligation for depositsLot marking