Prädikatswein Levels: Austria's Finest Wines, Ranks Ascending

Austrian wines are classified according to a complex system that can be challenging to understand. The country uses the German Prädikatswein system, which is based on grape ripeness (must weight) at the time of harvest. The must is the juice, skins, pulp, and other components that go into the tank for fermentation. The denser the must, the sweeter the wine. The categories, from light to dense, include Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). In addition, Austria has its own DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) system, which was introduced in 2001 to promote regionality. The DAC system has three levels: Gebietswein, Ortswein, and Riedenwein. Furthermore, the Wachau region has its own classification system with three levels: Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd.

The three official tiers of Austrian wine quality

Austria's wine labels have traditionally been similar to those of Germany. However, the DAC system introduced in 2001 represents a shift towards the appellation system used in France, Italy and Spain. The DAC system has three levels: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (village wine), and Riedenwein (single vineyard wine).

Wein

The lowest quality level, indicating wine made in Austria.

Landwein

Wine with Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). This means 'country wine', similar to Vin de Pays.

Qualitätswein

Wine with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This translates to 'quality wine', and is the second tier of Austrian wine classification. Qualitätswein comes from an officially recognised Austrian wine-growing region, and there are only 35 permitted grape varieties which can be blended into a bottle. Some bottles feature a cap with red, white, and red stripes. Within the Qualitätswein tier, there are two further categories:

• Klassic: Wine with a declared vintage that shows varietal character.
• Reserve: Dry wines with a minimum of 13% ABV, typically released after standard wines.

In addition to these three tiers, Austria also uses the German Prädikatswein system, which indicates the must weight at the time of harvest. The must is the juice, skins, pulp, and other components that go into the tank for fermentation. The denser the must, the sweeter the wine. The categories, from light to dense, include:

• Spätlese ('late harvest')
• Auslese ('selected harvest')
• Beerenauslese (BA) ('berry selection')
• Eiswein ('ice wine')
• Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)

The German Prädikatswein system

Germany's winemaking heritage is steeped in tradition and quality, with the Prädikatswein system serving as a testament to its commitment to excellence. The system, formerly known as Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP), represents the pinnacle of German wine classification, reflecting a deep adherence to stringent quality standards.

At its heart, the Prädikatswein system comprises six distinct categories, each signifying different levels of grape maturity, sweetness, and quality. These categories, listed from least to most ripe, are:

• Kabinett: Light wines made from fully ripe grapes, ranging from dry to off-dry with delicate and refreshing qualities.
• Spätlese (Late Harvest): More intense and richer wines made from grapes harvested after the standard picking season, offering a range of dry to sweet flavours.
• Auslese (Select Harvest): Wines made from very ripe, hand-selected bunches, resulting in a richer body and complexity. Auslese can vary in sweetness levels, with additional designations indicating a sweet dessert wine.
• Beerenauslese: Wines produced from individually selected overripe grapes affected by noble rot, resulting in intense sweetness.
• Eiswein: Wines made from grapes that have been naturally frozen on the vine, creating a concentrated and sweet wine.
• Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): The rarest and sweetest wines made from shrivelled, raisin-like grapes affected by noble rot, resulting in a complex and luscious dessert wine.

The Prädikatswein system also includes additional classifications, such as the VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand cru) and VDP.Erste Lage (Premier cru), which further distinguish the best vineyards based on historical criteria.

In recent years, Germany has introduced a new classification system under the name Qualitätswein, creating a hierarchy based on geography with four primary levels: Area, Region, Village, and Vineyard. This new system works in parallel with the traditional Prädikatswein system, providing a complementary approach to classifying German wines.

The DAC system

• Gebietswein: This is the first level of the DAC system and refers to regional wine.
• Ortswein: The second level, indicating village wine.
• Riedenwein: The highest level of the DAC system, representing single vineyard wine.

The three levels of quality in the Wachau region

The Wachau region in Austria is known for its distinctive wines, and it has its own classification system for quality wine. The Vinea Wachau Wine Association, founded in 1983, introduced a three-tier system to promote the authenticity and quality of the region's wines. The three levels of quality in the Wachau region are:

Steinfeder

Steinfeder is the lightest style of Wachau wine, with a maximum alcohol content of 11.5%. The name comes from a type of feather grass indigenous to the region, and the wines are characterised by a fresh, fruity, and tangy flavour profile. They are typically lively, refreshing, and delicate on the palate.

Federspiel

Federspiel wines have an alcohol content between 11.5% and 12.5%, making them slightly richer and fuller-bodied than Steinfeder. The name comes from a type of bird used in falconry, and these wines offer a more precise style that pairs well with food.

Smaragd

Smaragd wines are the ripeness and highest-quality level of Wachau wines. To qualify as Smaragd, wines must contain at least 12.5% ABV and have a maximum residual sugar level of 9 g/L. The name, which means "emerald," was first used in 1986 after the diethylene glycol scandal to denote the highest-quality Wachau wines. Smaragd wines are made from the ripest grapes and are sealed with a long natural cork branded with the vintage year.

In addition to these three quality levels, the Wachau region also adheres to the DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) system, which classifies wines into three levels: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (village wine), and Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine). Each classification has specific requirements regarding hand harvesting, the use of oak, and permitted grape varieties.

The Austrian Wine Law

Austrian wine law is based on European wine legislation, but the country has maintained a degree of autonomy. The law is centred on controlled origin, legal maximum yield, a designation for quality wine, and official quality control.

The location of a winery determines the wine laws it must follow, and how it chooses to label its wines. A label can express a level of quality or the basic amount of production done to achieve that level of quality. This helps to build a relationship between the winery and the consumer. A specific region with many rules on production, for example, would command a higher price tag.

Austrian wines are either wines with origin (Quality Wine, DAC, Landwein) or generic wines from Austria. The categories are defined by the origin of the grapes and the sugar content of the must, as expressed by the Klosterneuburg Must Weight (KMW) scale. The grapes for quality wine or region-typical quality wine (DAC) must be grown in an Austrian wine-growing region. Landwein, or land wine, generally comes from a larger wine-growing area.

The wine label must contain the following information: origin, variety, vintage, quality designation, alcohol content by volume, and reference to its residual sugars. It must also include the official State control number and name of the producer or bottler.

Austria has a three-tiered quality level system:

• Wein: the lowest quality level, indicating wine made in Austria
• Landwein: Wine with Protected Geographic Indication (PGI)
• Qualitätswein: Wine with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

The Qualitätswein level is further broken down into:

• Klassic: Wine with a declared vintage that shows varietal character
• Reserve: Dry wines with a minimum of 13% ABV, typically released after standard wines

Austria also uses the German Prädikatswein system, which indicates the must weight at the time of harvest. The must is the juice, skins, pulp, and other components that go into the tank for fermentation. The denser the must, the sweeter the wine. The categories, from light to dense, include Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA).

In 2002, Austria amended its appellation system to include DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) to promote regionality. There are currently 15 DAC wine-growing regions in Austria. The DAC system has a quality hierarchy distinguishing three levels: Gebietswein: Regional wine, Ortswein: Village wine, and Riedenwein: Single vineyard wine.

Frequently asked questions