Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

What type of wine does the Qualitätswein mit Prädikat classification include?

1. Only table wine

2. Quality wine determined by ripeness at harvest

3. Regional wine only

4. Wine that can be chaptalized

The correct answer is: Quality wine determined by ripeness at harvest

The Qualitätswein mit Prädikat classification, which translates to "quality wine with special attributes," refers to a category of German wines that are distinguished by their ripeness at the time of harvest. This classification encompasses wines made from fully ripe grapes, ensuring higher quality based on natural sugar levels. Wines under this classification are subject to specific guidelines that dictate the minimum sugar content in the grapes at harvest, leading to wines that exhibit pronounced flavor profiles and enhanced aging potential. In this context, the focus on grape ripeness aligns with the classification's intent to produce superior-quality wines, often reflected in the varying categories such as Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and others, each corresponding to different levels of ripeness. This focus on natural grape characteristics and balanced sugar levels is central to the classification’s rationale. The other options do not capture the essence of the Qualitätswein mit Prädikat classification accurately. Table wine does not meet the quality standards set for this classification, regional wines could exist outside of the Qualitätswein mit Prädikat parameters, and chaptalization, which refers to the addition of sugar to increase alcohol content, is generally not permitted for wines classified under this designation, as it contravenes