Prädikatswein

Prädikatswein is a German quality-wine category in which grapes must reach specified minimum ripeness levels at harvest. The classification is based on must weight, a measure of the sugar concentration in grape juice before fermentation. Prädikatswein is subject to defined origin and production requirements, and chaptalisation (adding sugar to the must to increase potential alcohol) is not permitted for this category.

The six Prädikat levels

• Kabinett: grapes harvested at the lowest ripeness level within the Prädikat categories.
• Spätlese: later-harvested, riper grapes.
• Auslese: selected, particularly ripe bunches.
• Beerenauslese (BA): individually selected very ripe berries, often affected by noble rot.
• Eiswein: grapes naturally frozen on the vine and pressed while frozen.
• Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): selected, intensely shrivelled berries, usually affected by noble rot.

Ripeness versus sweetness

Prädikat describes grape ripeness at harvest, not the sweetness of the finished wine. A Kabinett, Spätlese or Auslese may be fermented dry or retain residual sugar, depending on the producer and style. The word trocken on the label indicates a dry wine under the German legal definition.

Service and food pairing

Prädikat wines range from light, dry or off-dry styles to intensely sweet dessert wines. Pair according to the finished wine’s acidity, body, alcohol and residual sugar rather than the Prädikat level alone.

Example: a dry Riesling Spätlese can accompany roast pork or seafood, while a Beerenauslese may pair with fruit desserts or blue cheese.

Chef’s tip: read the full label and producer information. Do not assume that a higher Prädikat level always means sweeter wine or higher overall quality.