Auslese is a German wine term meaning “selected harvest.” It is a Prädikat category used in the German quality-wine classification for grapes harvested at a specified level of ripeness. The grapes are selected from particularly ripe bunches, and some wines may include berries affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), depending on the vintage and producer.
Auslese refers to the ripeness category of the harvested grapes, measured by must weight under the applicable regional rules. It does not by itself specify the finished wine’s sweetness. Many Auslese wines are sweet or off-dry, but dry styles can also be made and are identified through the wine’s labelling and producer information. Residual sugar and acidity determine the final balance.
Riesling Auslese is a well-known example, often showing concentrated aromas of apricot, peach, citrus, honey and ripe orchard fruit. Wines affected by noble rot may develop notes of marmalade, saffron and dried fruit. Acidity is important in balancing the concentration and sweetness, but the profile varies by grape, region, vintage and winemaker.
Sweet Auslese can pair well with foie gras, blue cheese, fruit desserts and selected spicy dishes. Drier examples may suit richer seafood, poultry and savoury preparations. Serve according to the wine’s body and sweetness, usually well chilled and in an appropriate glass.
Example: a Riesling Auslese from the Mosel may balance the richness of foie gras or complement a fruit-based dessert with fresh acidity.
Spätlese generally has a lower required grape-ripeness level than Auslese. Beerenauslese is made from selected individual very ripe berries and has a higher must-weight requirement. These Prädikat categories describe grape ripeness at harvest, not a fixed sweetness level or an automatic ranking of sensory quality.
Chef’s tip: Do not assume every bottle labelled Auslese is dessert-sweet. Check the producer’s description, residual sugar and acidity when planning a pairing.
Key distinction: Auslese is a grape-ripeness classification, not a grape variety or a guaranteed sweetness level.
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