Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

What is a characteristic feature of Pfalz wines?

1. They are all sweet

2. They are heavily oaked

3. They come from a warm climate

4. They are predominantly red

The correct answer is: They come from a warm climate

The characteristic feature of Pfalz wines is that they come from a warm climate. The Pfalz region, located in the southwestern part of Germany, benefits from a relatively warm climate compared to other German wine regions, which allows for the cultivation of ripe grapes. This climate contributes to the production of wines that often have higher sugar levels, leading to richer flavors and potentially more robust profiles. While some Pfalz wines can indeed be sweet, this is not true for all wines from the region, as there are also significant amounts of dry styles. The assertion that they are heavily oaked doesn't capture the general style of Pfalz wines, as many producers favor stainless steel fermentation to accentuate fruit purity. Furthermore, while Pfalz does produce red wines, it is more known for its white wine production, particularly Riesling, which makes the claim of being predominantly red inaccurate. The warm climate is the most definitive feature that influences the style and quality of wines produced in this region.